Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after the Lakers made a basket against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 26, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — As the NBA reels from the worst gambling scandal since 2007, the Los Angeles Lakers came into Golden 1 Center and shot 46 free throws in a game where the Kings attempted only 18. That was the story of the night as the Kings lost to the Lakers 127-120 on Sunday night in Sacramento.

In the first quarter, the Lakers, without LeBron James or Luka Dončić, outscored the Kings 36-27 to take an early lead. The Kings’ defense wasn’t doing a sufficient job keeping the Lakers out of the paint, as 18 of their 36 points came there. The Kings’ bench was a nonfactor offensively in the first quarter, failing to score a single point. Zach LaVine, as he did in Friday’s win over the Jazz, got off to a red-hot start, scoring 11 points in the opening period. The Kings shot 47% from the field compared to the Lakers’ 63%.

In the second quarter, led by Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan, the Kings got back into the game before halftime. Westbrook and DeRozan combined for 22 points in the quarter to tie the game 62-62 heading into the break. The Kings’ defense picked up in the second quarter, holding the Lakers to 26 points while scoring 35 of their own. Sacramento shot 47% in the first half compared to Los Angeles’ 52%—a significant decline from the Lakers’ first-quarter percentage, which showed the Kings were beginning to settle in defensively.

In the third quarter, Austin Reaves torched the Kings and led the Lakers to outscore Sacramento 33-28, giving Los Angeles a 95-90 advantage entering the fourth. It was at this point in the game that the free throw discrepancy—39 to 11 in favor of the Lakers, became particularly glaring. While not all of the fouls seemed legitimate, as evidenced by Doug Christie’s two successful challenges, the Kings weren’t playing disciplined defense and were reaching. Still, that much of a difference didn’t sit well with the Kings.

In the fourth quarter, the Lakers continued to attack the Kings on the offensive end and control the paint. Sacramento trailed 117-109 with 3:40 to play as Austin Reaves stayed red hot in the second half. From that point on, the Kings outscored the Lakers 11-10 in the closing minutes, but it wasn’t nearly enough as they fell 127-120 at Golden 1 Center.

Austin Reaves finished with an incredible 51 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in a career night without Luka and LeBron in the lineup. On the Kings’ side, Zach LaVine scored 32 points and has now posted 30 or more in every game this season. He joins Jack Twyman (1959-60), Oscar Robertson (1961-62, 1965-66), and Tiny Archibald (1972-73) as the only Kings to score 30 points in the first three games of a season.

Speaking on LaVine’s start to the season, Doug Christie was highly complimentary of his defensive effort.

“Zach is playing at a really, really high level. I mean, I’m not even really concerned with the points. He’s competing on the defensive end, which is mad love. The defensive commitment that he continues to show is to be commended.”

As it related to the game overall, Christie was visibly distraught afterward when discussing the officiating.

“Forty-six, you said?” Christie responded after James Ham pointed out the free throw discrepancy. “I mean, we got to play defense without fouling, obviously, but there are two teams on the floor, so it’s wild. It’s wild. It’s wild.”

DeMar DeRozan echoed a similar sentiment, appearing in disbelief as he confirmed that Austin Reaves shot 22 free throws.

“Forty-six free throws was crazy to our 18, I don’t know,” DeRozan said after the game. “I got to go back and look, but like I said, 46 free throws is crazy. It’s crazy.”

Crazy or not, the Kings have yet to show a consistent ability to play high-level defense. Defense and fight remain the mantra Doug Christie has tried to instill in this group, but it hasn’t taken root yet, and the frustration is starting to show within the locker room.

Up Next

The Kings will head out on the road for a four-game trip. Their first stop will be in Oklahoma City on Tuesday as they take on the Thunder at 5 p.m. PST. The Kings will return home to host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, November 5. 

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.