Photo credit: @clutchsources

By Ana Kieu

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings ended their seven-game homestand by seeing a close game go up in smoke as they ended up losing 128-123 to the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center on Sunday night.

The Kings used the same starting lineup in their seventh straight home game. De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley III, and Richaun Holmes took the court. Also, the Kings honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Kings wasted no time getting on the board. In a span of 42 seconds, De’Aaron Fox made a pullup jump shot and Buddy Hield hit a 3-pointer for an early 5-0 lead. The Pelicans responded with a dunk by Steven Adams to pull within three, 5-2, at 10:45. The Pelicans continued to pour in the points, JJ Redick hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, and the Kings trailed 34-25 at the end of the first quarter.

The Pelicans continued their strong play, but the Kings kept it a close game in the second half. The Kings made it a 10-point game, 37-27, when Cory Joseph hit a 2-pointer at 11:05. De’Aaron Fox hit a 2-pointer to make it a 9-point game, 67-58, with 1:37 left. The Kings trailed 67-58 at halftime.

The Kings came out to play in the second half. De’Aaron Fox opened the third quarter with a pullup jump shot and a 3-pointer in a span of 40 seconds. Fox added a step back jump shot with 28,3 seconds left. Harrison Barnes hit a 3-pointer to pull within three, 97-94, with 1.2 seconds left. The Kings trailed 97-94 through three quarters.

Despite a back-and-forth fourth quarter, the Kings kept the lead in single digits. After JJ Reddick hit an early 3-pointer, but Richaun Holmes made a pair of free throws to pull within four, 100-96, at 11:13. Buddy Hield hit a 3-pointer to pull within five, 115-110, with 5:43 left. De’Aaron Fox made a driving dunk to make it a 1-point game, 116-115, with 3:18 left.

Unfortunately, the Pelicans continued their scoring surge at the Kings’ expense. Zion Williamson went on a tear with 30 points at one point. Steven Adams made a pair of free throws to give the Pelicans a 124-119 lead with 17.9 seconds left. De’Aaron Fox hit a 2-pointer to pull within three, 126-123, with 6.6 seconds left. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added a pair of free throws to seal the 128-123 victory.

The Kings fell to 5-9. De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 43 points, 13 assists, and 4 rebounds.

The Pelicans improved to 5-7. Zion Williamson led all scorers with 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.

The Kings head to Los Angeles to take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, January 20 at 7 pm PT.