NBA Notes: Kings finally win, Isaiah Joe does more than shoot, Nurkic shut down

The Kings finally stopped the bleeding. Sacramento snapped a 16-game losing streak, the longest in franchise history, with a 123-114 road win over the Grizzlies on Monday night.

Russell Westbrook led the way with 25 points, while Precious Achiuwa added 22 points and 12 rebounds. DeMar DeRozan and Daeqwon Plowden chipped in 20 apiece, with Plowden scoring 10 in the fourth.

Sacramento had not won since January 16 and still owns the league’s worst record, but for one night at least, the streak is over.

• Memphis continues to limp toward the finish line. The Grizzlies briefly took control early in the third quarter before Sacramento responded with an 18-6 run to seize the game. Javon Smalls paced Memphis with 21 points and nine assists, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 17 and GG Jackson added 16. Injuries remain the defining theme. Eight Grizzlies were sidelined Monday, and Memphis sits 11th in the West with lineups built largely around availability rather than continuity.

• Thunder guard Isaiah Joe keeps reminding people he’s more than a shooter. Joe tied his season high with 22 points against the Cavaliers, knocking down6-of-11 from three, but he also posted a career-high five steals, along with three assists and two rebounds in 30 minutes. “Being undersized out there, you don’t want to be the weak link,” Joe said, per Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman, pointing to defense as a source of pride.

• Oklahoma City continues to value versatility, and Joe fits the bill. Martinez notes Joe’s off-ball movement and cutting as key parts of his impact, something teammate Cason Wallace highlighted after recording the first double-double of his career. “He has a full game, for sure,” Wallace said. For a Thunder team that leans heavily on two-way play, Joe’s value keeps growing.

• Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic will miss the remainder of the season after deciding to undergo surgery on his nose, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. Nurkic has dealt with breathing and sleeping issues since breaking his nose several years ago and has not played since the All-Star break. The 31-year-old averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 41 games this season.

• Nurkic was widely viewed as a trade candidate due to his expiring $19.3 million contract, but Utah never found the right deal. That money now comes off the books, and Nurkic will enter unrestricted free agency this summer. Utah is expected to have significant cap space and could pursue outside options, though a reunion remains possible.