Without DeMarcus Cousins to protect the paint, Tim Duncan torched the Kings as the San Antonio Spurs escaped with a 95-93 victory on Saturday night.

Duncan finished with 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting as well as 17 rebounds, five assists and two blocked shoots.

Tony Parker also had a double-double for San Antonio with 18 points and 10 assists. The Spurs also got 48 points off the bench led by Patty Mills and Boris Diaw who finished with 15 and 14 points respectively.

Sacramento was led by Isaiah Thomas and Rudy Gay in the loss.  Thomas ended with 26 points even though he shot just 2-of-9 from 3-point range while Gay came away with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals.

Jimmer Fredette did not play for the Kings due to illness.  Rookie point guard Ray McCallum took over in Jimmer’s absence and backed up Thomas on the night.

Sacramento is back at home on Monday night as the Chicago Bulls come to town.