Achiuwa and Plowden excel as Kings secure a road victory over the Mavs.

The Sacramento Kings received major contributions from unexpected sources but still managed to secure their third consecutive victory, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 130-121 on the road Thursday afternoon.

Precious Achiuwa delivered a standout performance, pouring in a career-best 29 points to go along with 12 assists, four rebounds, and three steals. He was highly efficient, shooting 13-of-19 from the field and knocking down all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.

However, it was two-way guard Daeqwon Plowden who stole the spotlight late. He erupted in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 19 total points during the final period. Plowden finished the night a flawless 7-for-7 from the floor. Rookie big man Maxime Raynaud also played a significant role, contributing 22 points and six assists while shooting 8-of-13.

For Dallas, Naji Marshall led all scorers with 36 points, adding 10 rebounds and six assists on 14-of-23 shooting in a strong individual outing.

A major factor in Sacramento’s success was their ball security. The Kings committed a season-low four turnovers, which proved crucial. They also dominated inside, outscoring Dallas 76-62 in points in the paint.

Fast-Paced Opening Quarter

Both teams came out firing offensively. Early in the first quarter, Sacramento strung together several successful possessions, building a 17-12 lead just five minutes into the game.

Achiuwa wasted no time, scoring seven quick points. Raynaud followed with six straight of his own. After another 7-0 run, the Kings had surged ahead 28-15.

Dallas responded behind Marshall, who attacked the rim aggressively and absorbed contact effectively. He opened his night 5-for-5 from the field. The Mavericks answered with a 9-0 run, trimming the deficit to 30-26.

Sacramento closed the quarter strong, using second-chance opportunities to fuel a 12-2 burst. They ended the opening frame ahead 42-28 after shooting an impressive 56.7 percent from the field. Achiuwa had 14 points by then, while Marshall tallied 13 for Dallas.

Kings Maintain Control Before Halftime

Both Achiuwa and Marshall continued their strong play into the second quarter, each relentlessly attacking the basket.

With injuries forcing adjustments to the rotation, Drew Eubanks saw extended minutes and made the most of them. He quickly scored six consecutive points, many coming on short push shots reminiscent of Richaun Holmes. His contributions helped stretch the lead to 53-37.

Marshall once again kept Dallas within reach, surpassing 20 points with roughly five minutes remaining in the half as Sacramento’s offense briefly cooled.

By halftime, Achiuwa had already recorded 21 points — the highest-scoring half of his career — as the Kings carried a 68-56 advantage into the break.

Mavericks Push Back in Third Quarter

The toll of playing on the second night of a back-to-back appeared to affect Sacramento early in the third. Dallas increased its tempo, looking sharper and more energetic during stretches.

Sacramento’s backcourt struggled. Rookie Nique Clifford had difficulty finding his rhythm offensively. Devin Carter flashed athleticism with a few highlight plays but committed costly turnovers. Malik Monk’s shot wasn’t falling, and DeMar DeRozan took on a limited scoring role.

Dallas capitalized with an 11-0 run that sliced the deficit to just three points at 72-69.

Sacramento regained momentum when Carter threw down an emphatic putback dunk following an Achiuwa miss, capping off a 10-0 Kings run.

The contest evolved into a back-and-forth battle defined by momentum swings. The Mavericks answered with a 7-0 stretch of their own. During that sequence, Marvin Bagley suffered an injury — an unfortunate and familiar occurrence for Kings fans. Though he briefly exited to the locker room, he later returned.

Both teams scored 32 points in the third quarter, and Sacramento entered the final period holding a 100-88 lead.

Plowden Shines in the Fourth

Plowden, already enjoying a solid game, elevated his performance down the stretch. He and Marshall exchanged competitive moments as the intensity increased.

Dallas guard Brandon Williams also stepped up, helping spark a 12-0 Mavericks run. The Kings’ lead shrank to 110-105.

Plowden halted that surge with a powerful putback dunk. Moments later, he delivered an even more impressive slam.

Sacramento closed with a lineup of Carter, Clifford, Plowden, Achiuwa, and Raynaud. The final quarter slowed considerably, with both teams making multiple trips to the free-throw line.

Williams brought Dallas within two points at 123-121 with 1:49 remaining after converting from the line.

Appropriately, Achiuwa secured his career-high total by finishing a putback off his own miss. On the next defensive possession, the Kings forced Khris Middleton into a turnover. Plowden continued his perfect shooting night by drilling a corner three.

Achiuwa then rejected Marshall at the rim before Clifford sealed the victory with a tough drive and finish going right. Sacramento ended the game on a 7-0 run to clinch the 130-121 win.

Standout Performances

Achiuwa led Sacramento with 29 points, 12 assists, four rebounds, and three steals while shooting 13-of-19 overall and 3-of-3 from deep.

Plowden matched his career high with 19 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter, on perfect 7-of-7 shooting.

Raynaud contributed 22 points and six assists on 8-of-13 shooting.

Marshall’s 36-point, 10-rebound, six-assist effort paced Dallas, but the Mavericks were hindered by 17 team turnovers. In contrast, Sacramento’s disciplined ball control — just four giveaways — and dominance in the paint proved decisive.

Looking Ahead

The Kings will wrap up their five-game road trip Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sacramento holds a 1-2 record against the Lakers this season but won their most recent matchup, a 124-112 victory at Golden 1 Center on January 12, fueled by 32 points from DeMar DeRozan.

Fans can tune in to Sactown Sports 1140 AM for coverage of Kings vs. Lakers, with pregame programming starting at 5:00 PM PT and tip-off scheduled for 6:30 PM PT in Los Angeles.

Upcoming Schedule (2025-26 Season)

• Sunday, March 1: at Los Angeles Lakers – 6:30 PM PT
• Tuesday, March 3: vs. Phoenix Suns – 8:00 PM PT
• Thursday, March 5: vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
• Sunday, March 8: vs. Chicago Bulls – 6:00 PM PT
• Tuesday, March 10: vs. Indiana Pacers – 7:00 PM PT

Sacramento’s recent momentum has positioned them well as they approach the next stretch of games, with contributions coming from both established players and emerging talents.