Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets backs in on Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Golden 1 Center on December 11, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings returned home after 10 days on the road on Thursday night to take on the Denver Nuggets. The Kings, who have been mostly playing their vets to start the 2025-2026 campaign, departed from that strategy and started rookies Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford in the game. The game tipped off at 7 p.m. PST and was the only game the Kings will play at home in the first 19 days of December. Thursday, the Kings fell to the Nuggets 136-105.

In the first quarter, the Kings held their own against the Nuggets in the first few minutes, but that quickly evaporated as the Kings were outscored by the Nuggets 41-26. The Kings dug themselves into an early-game 15-point deficit as Nikola Jokic had his way, scoring 16 first-quarter points. Malik Monk got going early for the Kings with nine first-quarter points to lead the team.

In the second quarter, it was more of the same from the Nuggets as they outscored the Kings 36-28. Jokic again led the team in scoring in the second quarter, dropping seven points to bring his first-half total to 23. Russell Westbrook was the only King really impacting the game on the offensive end in the second, as he scored 11 points for the Kings. The game went into halftime with the Kings trailing the Nuggets 77-54 and no answers for Nikola Jokic.

In the third quarter, the Nuggets continued to build their lead against the Kings. The Nuggets outscored the Kings 32-27 in the third quarter to take a 109-81 lead into the final frame of the game. Nikola Jokic continued his terror on the Kings and added 13 points for a three-quarter total of 36 points.

Jokic wouldn’t play the rest of the game and finished with 36 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in three quarters of action.

In the fourth quarter, the game was all but decided as the Kings waved the white flag. The Nuggets outscored the Kings 27-24 in the final quarter of the game to defeat the Kings by a 31-point, 136-105 margin. The Kings weren’t competitive at any point in the game as Denver fully outmatched them in every aspect of the game.

After the game, the Kings stressed togetherness in the locker room and at the podium. Maxime Raynaud, Malik Monk, and Doug Christie all emphatically said the team is together.

Up Next: The Kings travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves at 4 p.m. PST on Sunday night.

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.