De’Aaron Fox becomes fifth Kings player to score 10,000 career points

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Kings guard De’Aaron Fox became the fifth player in Kings franchise history to score 10,000 points on Monday night.

Fox reached the 10,000 point plateau in his 472nd career game, three games into his eighth NBA season. He entered Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers 17 points shy of the mark, reaching it with a 3-pointer at the 7:08 mark of the third quarter to give him 18 points on the night.

Fox said that he forgot that he was nearing the mark, but that it was special to accomplish it at home and in a win.

“Not a lot of people get to do that,” Fox said. “Obviously, the average span of an NBA career is like 3 1/2 (years), like literally one contract. So being able be to be blessed to be in the league that long, and being able to put the ball in the basket that many times — definitely a blessing.”

Fox finished with a game-high 24 points as the Kings got their first win of the season. The 26-year-old received a standing ovation from the Sacramento crowd and his teammates on the bench after the achievement was announced during the next timeout.

“What a career,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “What he’s done for city of Sacramento and for the organization, at such a young age to score his 10,000 point tonight — that should definitely be celebrated.”

Fox joined Mitch Richmond (12,070) as the only other player in the Sacramento era to reach 10,000 points. Oscar Robertson (22,009), Jack Twyman (15,840) and Nate “Tiny” Archibald (10,894) are the other players to reach the mark in franchise history.

The Kings moved to Sacramento in 1985.

Fox is also five games away from passing Mike Bibby for the fourth-most games played in Kings history. He ranks fifth in franchise history in points, fourth in assists and fourth in steals.

Fox, the fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Kings, averaged 21.5 points and 10.5 assists last season. He was an All-Star in 2023.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

By ERIC HE
Associated Press