It was a Nigerian NBA battle between Metu and Okogie as the Sacramento Kings outlast Phoenix Suns.
The Sacramento Kings recorded a 128-119 victory away against the Phoenix Suns in an NBA fixture played in the early hours of Sunday, March 12, 2023.
The Phoenix Suns battled the Sacramento Kings in an intense Western Conference matchup.
The third and fourth teams in the Western Conference Standing were involved in a battle for playoff standing.
The Suns and Kings could not miss shots, as the two teams put up 30 points in the first quarter.
The Kings down one point in the first quarter led by De'Aaron Fox took over with a 36-point explosion in the second quarter.
The Kings established an eight-point lead going to the halftime break. The Suns would respond with their 36-point shoot-out to cut the lead to one point.
Mike Brown's side were able to execute in clutch time to lead the Kings to a nine-point victory.
Chimezie Metu and Joshua Okogie shine as Sacramento Kings outlast Phoenix Suns
There was a Nigerian battle in the game between the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns.
Nigerian professional basketball player Joshua Okogie was in action for the Suns against the Kings.
The 24-year-old featured for 35 minutes, he contributed 15 points, one rebound, one steal, and one block.
He made four of his 10 shots, including three of six from three-point range and four of five from the free-throw line.
Nigerian-American professional basketball Chimezie Metu played a crucial role for the Sacramento Kings in the victory.
Metu made an impact off the bench featuring for 13 minutes in the Kings' victory on the road.
He contributed nine points, three rebounds, three steals, made two shots and was a perfect five from the free throw line.
Speaking at the press conference after the game, Metu celebrated the Kings getting to 40 wins for the first time since 2006.
He said, I mean it's great obviously there's still a lot of season left but I think you know it's just a testament to how hard the team's been working.
"I keep saying there's a lot of stuff we got to clean up but I think when we come out and play like we did tonight on defensive end uh I think we're hard to beat.
"It feels great, I think obviously winning helps a lot. I'd say like this team we're probably the closest team that I've been on since I've been here since I've been in the NBA.
"I think win-loss uh you know guys are in there obviously we lose we know what we have to do to get better.
"I think you know nice like this we win big games you know everybody feels great a lot of people were able to contribute tonight."
Metu and the Kings return to action against the Milwaukee Bucks while Okogie and the Suns travel to face the Golden State Warriors next on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Related content
09:13 - 25.02.2023
NBA Chimezie Metu nears double-double as Kings beat Clippers in 2nd highest-scoring NBA game ever
Chimezie Metu was huge for the Kings down the stretch as they spoiled Westbrook's debut in double overtime. NBA
08:51 - 07.02.2023
NBA Metu shines as Sacramento Kings beat Houston Rockets
Metu is back in the rotation as the Sacramento Kings beat Houston Rockets.
08:25 - 26.01.2023
NBA Achiuwa outshines Metu as Raptors blow out Kings
Achiuwa had a big night against Metu as Raptors beat the Kings
08:15 - 04.03.2023
NBA Josh Okogie on fire from deep as Suns beat Bulls
Durant praises Okogie as he catches fire from three in the Suns' victory against the Bulls.
08:21 - 25.02.2023
NBA Josh Okogie steps up as Phoenix Suns beat Oklahoma City Thunder
Okogie continues to shine as the Suns record a much-needed victory against Thunder.