Wallace scored a season-high 20 points off the bench as the Sacramento Kings wrecked the return of Williams with a 104-87 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Williams spent his first three seasons with the Kings, helping them reach the playoffs each year. The point guard endeared himself to the fans at Arco Arena with his flashy ballhandling and long-range shooting reminiscent of Pete Maravich.
 Hedo Turkolglu scored eight of 35 first quarter points, and the Kings never trailed. Rocky Widner NBAE/Getty Images |
In June, the Kings traded Williams to the Grizzlies for point guard Mike Bibby in a four-player deal. Williams got a fresh start, while the Kings received a steadier floor general.
Williams received a hug from friend Chris Webber and a pleasant welcome from the sellout crowd of 17,317. But he made just 4-of-16 shots and finished with 11 points and five assists.
"It was great," Williams said. "They're still my friends regardless of what happens. Those guys didn't trade me. I don't really have any problems with any of the guys around here."
"It was fun. It was an experience I enjoyed," Webber said. "We talked a lot of junk out there, so it was fun."
While Williams' game was rather subdued, the fans were treated to an acrobatics show by Wallace. The 19-year-old rookie played almost entirely above the rim, which he rattled with a handful of dunks.
"I had a lot of fun. It was great," said Wallace, who came in with just 24 points in 11 games. "One of those nights that was probably the best night I ever had."
After several of his dunks, Wallace flashed a stare at Williams, looking for approval.
"I told him when I got drafted I was kind of excited because I thought he was gonna be the one throwing me alley-oops," Wallace said. "So I told him every time I got a dunk, I was going to give him a look to see if that was satisfying enough for him."
Receiving extended playing time because scoring forward Peja Stojakovic was out with a back strain, the 6-8 Wallace played 25 minutes behind Hedo Turkoglu. He made 9-of-16 shots and had nine rebounds, seven on the offensive end.
"These past couple of games that we've had, I have been given the opportunity to play," Wallace said. "I have been playing a lot of minutes the past couple of games and I just try to take advantage of every opportunity I get out on the floor."
"That's nothing new to me," Webber said. "I've seen Gerald all year. He's proved himself in practice and earned some playing time. You can see why we're all so excited about him."
Webber had 22 points and nine rebounds and Vlade Divac added 18 and nine for the Kings, who never trailed, held a 61-43 edge on the glass and snapped a two-game losing streak.
Rookie Pau Gasol scored 15 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost four in a row and seven straight in Sacramento. They fell to 1-11 on the road.
Webber and Divac scored 10 points apiece in the first quarter, when Sacramento put together a 16-4 run and opened a 35-20 lead.
Wallace came on in the second quarter and had a three-point play and a dunk. The Kings led 54-38 at halftime and Wallace really put on a show in the third period.
Bibby fed Wallace for consecutive fast-break dunks before Turkoglu's 3-pointer made it 67-47 with 6:04 remaining. He put back a miss by Bibby and later added a three-point play for a 77-56 advantage with 39 seconds to go.
"He played like a wild man tonight," Kings guard Bobby Jackson said. "I call him `drunk driver' in practice because he is always out of control. He did a good job. He came in and showed some life. He is really athletic."
Turkoglu scored 15 points and Bibby added 10 for the Kings, who shot 45 percent (41-of-92). Doug Christie had 12 rebounds and Scot Pollard grabbed 10.
"They should be right there contending for the title," Grizzlies rookie forward Shane Battier said. "I'd be very surprised if they weren't."
Rookie Will Solomon scored 13 points off the bench for Memphis, which shot 36 percent (34-of-95).