Terry Taylor forward (32) for the Stockton Kings takes a jump shot against the Valley Suns at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton on Wed Jan 9, 2025 (Stockton Kings X photo)

By William Espy

STOCKTON–The Stockton Kings returned home as they hosted the Valley Suns on Wednesday night. The Kings entered the night at the top of the Western Conference, as they were 5-0 so far in the regular season. The Suns, meanwhile, were fifth in the conference with a 2-2 record. The Suns ended the Kings five game winning streak with a 111-102 win.

Almost all of the Suns offense early on was from TyTy Washington, who had nine points by the end of the first frame.

The Kings pulled out to an early lead, with all of their starters chipping in offensively. They maintained that lead through the end of the quarter, keeping it 28-23 through 12 minutes.

The Suns would make it a much closer game in the second quarter though, bringing it within a single point multiple times through the quarter. The Kings would then pull back ahead with some momentum of their own, but never got the separation they were undoubtedly hoping for. That is, until they finished the half with an 8-0 run, making it 55-46 heading into the break. While it was a decent gap, it was far from a comfortable lead for the home team.

Jalen Bridges was struggling heavily for the Suns, going 0-5 from the field from the first half, while Moses Wood was the only other starter who had yet to make a shot, going 0-2.

The Kings’ lead was almost entirely erased at the start of the third quarter, as a 5-0 run by the Suns made it a four-point game once again. After some back and forth, the Kings would be forced to take a timeout after the Suns made it 57-55. Stockton’s lead was quickly evaporating, and they needed to improve on both ends of the court to get momentum back on their side. Washington would get fouled on the Suns’ next possession, and they would tie it for the first time since the first quarter, then take the lead.

The Kings would retake the lead with less than a minute remaining in the third, but the Suns would hit their last shot of the quarter, making it 76-75 in their favor. For the first time of the night, Stockton would start a quarter with a deficit to overcome.

It wouldn’t take long for that to change though, as the Kings retook the lead 15 seconds into the fourth. That would be short-lived though, as the Suns would regain the lead and walked away with their third win of the season, ending Stockton’s winning streak, with a final score of 111-102. Washington finished 31 points for the Suns, shooting 13-21 from the field. Terry Taylor was Stockton’s top offensive performer, scoring 23 points in the loss