SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz Warriors didn’t wait for the weekend to turn in several All-Star performances.

Forward Blake Hinson posted a double-double, scoring a career-high 42 points to go along with 11 rebounds, and the Warriors knocked off the Western Conference co-leading Stockton Kings 152-144 at Kaiser Permanente Arena on Thursday night.

Hinson made a career-best eight 3-pointers on 12 attempts for Santa Cruz (11-7), which pulled to 1.5 games of Austin (13-6) and Stockton (14-7) for the division lead.

The Warriors, despite having leading scorer Kevin Knox II sidelined by an ankle injury, snapped their six-game losing streak against the Kings.

Guard Yuri Collins also turned in a crowd pleasing outing. He finished with a career-high 32 points, and had 10 assists and seven rebounds for the Warriors, who have seven games remaining on their 10-game homestand.

NBA All-Star Weekend begins Friday, and Santa Cruz will enjoy a seven-day layoff. It returns to action against visiting Oklahoma City, the defending G League champion, on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.

The first 1,000 fans were treated to Sea Dubs cooking aprons, and the Warriors proved they were cooking with gas. They shot 55.1% (54 of 98) from the field, made 19 3-pointers, and registered 25 assists against just eight turnovers. They also outrebounded the Kings 44-38.

Forward Javan Johnson also scored 20-plus points in Santa Cruz’s offensive outburst. He finished with 22 points and four rebounds, and forward Donta Scott recorded 16 points and six rebounds. Guards Marcus Burk and Cameron Parker combined for 34 points off the bench. Burk scored 18 points and Parker chipped in with 16 points, his best total in the G League.

Santa Cruz led 75-63 at the half and 111-100 after three quarters. Stockton opened the fourth with a pair of field goals, including a 3-pointer, but Scott helped fuel an 11-3 run to push the Warriors’ lead to its high mark, 16 points, with 8:27 remaining.

Stockton countered with a run of its own to pull within seven points, 141-134, with 2:05 left, but the Warriors converted at the free-throw line late to seal their win.

Stockton made a whopping 24 3-pointers. Guard Devin Carter, on assignment from Sacramento, led the Kings with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Forward Terry Taylor had 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Guard Jon Elmore recorded 21 points and three rebounds and two-way forward Isaiah Crawford notched 20 points and six rebounds.