Kings’ Mike Brown hails ‘best defensive performance since I’ve been here’

The Kings really walloped the Grizzlies in Memphis on Sunday, and coach Mike Brown had nothing but good things to say. For the record, Sacramento won by a 123-92 count.

“I tell you what, it’s probably the best defensive performance that we’ve had since I’ve been here, from start to finish,” said Brown, now in his second season in Sacramento. “It was really, really fun to watch.”

Brown used to be known as a defense-first, second and last kind of coach. Now, the Kins are considered more of an offensive juggernaut when everything is clicking. They are starting to look more and more like the team that won the Pacific Division last season.

That was on full display Sunday — with Malik Monk erupting for 27 points, Domantas Sabonis adding 13 points, 21 huge rebounds and 12 assists, and De’Aaron Fox scoring 24.

Overall, the Kings (19-12) crushed the Grizzlies on the glass with a 59-34 advantage.

“It was a team effort,” Sabonis told reporters. “I feel we did a good job of contesting their shots. … Today was my night.”