Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid works past Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk in the first quarter at Target Center in Minneapolis on Feb. 3, 2025. / Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Target Center played the song "What Does the Fox Say?" during the Sacramento Kings' pregame introductions Monday.
That was a not-so-subtle tribute to star guard De'Aaron Fox, whom they traded to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. Despite not having Fox's offensive skillset, the Kings found plenty of offense early on and got timely buckets from DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk late in a 116-114 Minnesota Timberwolves loss Monday night at Target Center in Minneapolis.
DeRozan made a jumper for a 106-101 Kings lead with about two minutes remaining. While Naz Reid got an and-1 to cut Minnesota's deficit to 108-106 with under a minute remaining, DeRozan answered right back with a layup for the Kings.
Mike Conley hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 112-111 with seconds remaining, but the Wolves (27-23) had to intentionally foul Monk, who made both free throws to make it a three-point game with 6.8 seconds remaining. Wolves coach Chris Finch called a timeout to advance the ball, and Joe Ingles inbounded it to Jaden McDaniels, but the ball was deflected out of bounds. While it was initially ruled Wolves basketball, the Kings challenged and officials ruled it went off McDaniels.
The Wolves had to intentionally foul Domantas Sabonis, who made both free throws to close out the game.
Anthony Edwards hit a buzzer-beater 3 as time expired.
DeRozan finished with a game-high 33 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Monk had 26 points and eight boards.
Keegan Murray got the Kings (25-24) going with lights-out shooting on his way to 17 first-quarter points, and then it was the DeRozan and Monk show in the second half. Naz Reid was lights out shooting in the first quarter despite wrapping his finger that had him questionable for the game, scoring 16 of his team-high 30 points in the opening frame.