Photo: Kings Forward #10 DeMar SeRozan taking a shot over Trail Blazer Guard #1 Anfernee Simons (by Mauricio Segura Golden Bay Times/Sports Radio Service)

By Mauricio Segura

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings kicked off their first season win with flair, cruising to a commanding 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Golden 1 Center on Monday night.

From tip-off to the final buzzer, the Kings ran the show, never trailing and making an early statement that they’re a team to keep on your radar this season. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, Sacramento gave fans a preview of the exciting potential that lies ahead.

The Kings came out strong in the first quarter, outpacing Portland 25-20. Domantas Sabonis set the tone early, dominating the boards and orchestrating the offense. Sabonis flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. New addition DeMar DeRozan, picked up in the offseason, looked right at home in Sacramento’s system. He led all scorers with 23 points, drawing fouls at will and sinking 9 of 10 free throws.

The third quarter proved to be the turning point. Sacramento exploded with a 21-4 run, transforming a close game into a one-sided affair. Sabonis ran the show from the high post, while Keegan Murray knocked down timely buckets to stretch the lead to 24 points. Portland had no answers, getting outscored 38-28 in the third as the Kings locked in and put the game out of reach.

Portland’s rookie guard Scoot Henderson flashed his potential with 18 points, five assists, and four rebounds, but he lacked the consistent support needed to mount a serious challenge. Deandre Ayton made his presence felt with 20 points and 11 rebounds, but their efforts weren’t enough to stop Sacramento’s well-balanced attack.

Kings head coach Mike Brown praised his team’s all-around effort, saying, “The way we shared the ball and played for each other tonight is exactly the kind of energy we need.”

On the other side, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged the growing pains with his revamped squad. “Sacramento had us on our heels all night. That run they made was the difference; we’ve got to learn how to respond better,” Billups said.

With their first win in the books, the Kings aim to carry this momentum into tougher games ahead, signaling they’re ready to build on last season’s playoff success. As for the Blazers, they’ll head back to Portland looking to regroup and smooth out the wrinkles in their lineup as their new-look squad takes shape.