KINGS 116, TIMBERWOLVES 108: Tyreke Evans had 24 points and 10 rebounds for host Sacramento as shorthanded Minnesota dropped its third in a row and may have lost another starter to injury.

Minnesota starting point guard Luke Ridnour needed help getting to the locker room just before the end of the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. He had 13 points and six assists.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) returned and scored 17 points, but Minnesota already was missing Ricky Rubio (knee, out for the season), Michael Beasley (toe) and J.J. Barea (quadriceps).

Kevin Love led the Timberwolves with 23 points.

DeMarcus Cousins had 20 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento. Jimmer Fredette scored 19, Isaiah Thomas 17 and Terrence Williams had 12 points and 12 rebounds, one shy of his career high.

The Kings led 65-58 at the break, shooting 65 percent (26 of 40) in the first half. Minnesota stayed in the game by making 8 of 13 3-pointers.

Sacramento used an 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter for a 98-86 lead as the Timberwolves did not score for 4½ minutes. Minnesota got to 110-106 but no closer.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kings starting guard Marcus Thornton left in the first quarter with a bruised left calf and did not return. He scored four points. … Kings guard Isaiah Thomas was named NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive month. … Kings dominated points in the the paint (60-42) and on the fast break (21-8). … Sacramento pulled to 45-44 in the all-time series.