The Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives on Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Thu Jan 23, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (23-21) trailed for the entire game losing to the Denver Nuggets (28-16) 132-123 at Ball Arena in Denver. They got close in the final minutes of the fourth quarter but came up just short. Whether they were suffering from fatigue after finishing last night’s game very late; they had an off shooting night, extremely off. They were attempting some pretty wild shots and they were not dropping.

Game wrap up: Sacramento hung tight with the Nuggets through the first half of the opening 12 minutes. The Nuggets were having a lot more success from beyond the arc then the Kings with four to Sacramento’s one.

Malik Monk had two personal fouls mid-way through the quarter and had to take to the bench which was a bit of blow for the Kings. Denver really began to flex their muscle and with two minutes left in the quarter had taken a ten-point lead 36-26 prompting Doug Christie to take a third time-out. As the quarter came to end the Nuggets had a 40-31 lead. The Nuggets were doing everything right with the one exception: shots from the line were not great at 54%.

Going into the second quarter, the Kings had their work cut out for them. Denver was running on all cylinders offensively continuing to extend their lead and with under six minutes left in the quarter had taken a 58-41 lead.

The Kings were getting completely outplayed by the Nuggets offensively and defensively and Sacramento just didn’t have an answer. Denver had more defensive rebounds 18-11, more offensive rebounds 11-5 with better shooting percentages from the field and from beyond the arc. In a blink, the Nuggets had opened up an 22-point lead 70-48 leaving the Kings in the dust. At the half, the Nuggets were cruising leading 74-52.

Sacramento was unable to stop the bleeding in the third quarter and after three quarters, the Nuggets were leading 110-85. Denver finished off the third quarter with a Jokic 66-ft jumper as the clock expired. This guy continues to amaze with his 20th triple-double this season.

The Kings went on a 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter cutting the Nugget lead more than in half from 25 to 11, 110-99. Sacramento would get as close as five points but come up just short. They had finished Wednesday night’s game very late, boarded a plane for Denver and fatigue could have played into the poor showing. This game got ugly in the first half and continued well into the third quarter. Sacramento did outscore the Nuggets in the fourth quarter 38-22 but it was too little too late.

Every Sacramento starter had double figures, and Domantas Sabonis had a double double with 23 points and 19 rebounds. The high for the Kings was DeMar DeRozan with 24 points and six rebounds. The Nuggets Nikola Jokic had the game high with 35 points, 17 assists and 22 rebounds.

Game notes: Thursday night the Kings were back on the road traveling to Denver and took on the Nuggets. This was a huge challenge for the Kings and it all started with Nikola Jokic. Containing this guy was a tough call. Wednesday night the Nuggets blasted the Sixers to the tune of 144-109 and Jokic recorded his 19th triple-double of the season. It will be very difficult keeping this guy under wraps.

The Kings came into this game after beating the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night in a tight contest. The Kings didn’t get a great start in that game but came on in the fourth quarter to seal the deal 123-117. Sacramento was looking for a much improved first quarter. In the Kings last meeting with the Nuggets Dec 16, Denver came away with a one-point win 130-129.

Jamal Murray hit a game-winning jumper with 8.6 seconds left in the game. Murray will be another Nugget to keep an eye on along with Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr. Denver is loaded with weapons but the Kings will have their starting lineup available and they have been playing some solid ball. Sacramento will be looking for their fourth win in a row.

Sacramento will continue on the road traveling to New York for a date with the Knicks Saturday. They will have a day off Friday and get a little rest before playing on Saturday with tipoff scheduled for 4:30pm PST. They will be looking to put this game behind them and get back on the winning track in New York.