Maxime Raynaud #42 of the Sacramento Kings, Dylan Cardwell #32, and Nique Clifford #5 stand on the court after the game against the Washington Wizards at Golden 1 Center on January 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — Amid what was seemingly becoming a season where the Kings appeared to be embracing a tank for a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Kings won three straight games coming into Friday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards. On Friday, the Kings continued their winning ways, defeating the Wizards 128-115.

In the first quarter, the Kings jumped out to an early lead as the offense started the game firing on all cylinders. The Kings outscored the Wizards 41-22 in the first quarter, as the offense came from every corner of the Kings bench.

Domantas Sabonis, who had been injured the past 27 games, made his return to the Kings, checking in at the 5:11 mark of the first quarter. It was Sabonis’ first time coming off the bench since 2021, and he recorded six points and four rebounds in his first minutes back in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings and Wizards flipped from the first-quarter performance, as the Wizards outscored the Kings 39-26 in the quarter. The Kings’ 19-point lead coming into the quarter evaporated as they took a six-point lead into halftime, 67-61. The Kings let the intensity on the defensive end falter, and it led to the Wizards having their way on the offensive end. The Kings had three double-digit scorers in the first half, as DeMar DeRozan had 10 points, Precious Achiuwa had 14, and Russell Westbrook added 11 in the first half.

In the third quarter, the Kings flipped the script back on the Wizards and took back control of the game after struggling before halftime. The Kings outscored the Wizards 34-23 in the third quarter, as Russell Westbrook paced the Kings with nine points in the quarter. The Kings took a 17-point advantage, 101-84, into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings kept the Wizards at arm’s length to finish them off with the final of 128-115. The Wizards outscored the Kings 31-27 in the fourth quarter, but the Kings still defeated the Wizards by double digits. The Kings’ fourth win in a row has certainly surprised Sacramento fans as they look to continue their hot play. Russell Westbrook led the Kings in the victory with 26 points, while Domantas Sabonis had 13 points and six rebounds in his return.

The young guys in Sacramento have caught an infectious energy that has captured the fans’ attention and love at the Golden 1 Center.

After the game, Doug Christie spoke to the energy and the way the young guys have played, and how the city has attached to that.

“They’re every pillar that we talk about when I talk about playing to a standard — multiple efforts on the defensive end, they communicate at a high level, and they have fun,” Doug Christie said after the game. “I’ve told you guys many times this game is about joy, and it swells my heart to watch them compete that way because it is not always going to go great, but it’ll never be from a lack of them getting at it, that’s for sure.”

Up next: The Sacramento Kings will stay home to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at 6 p.m. PST.