Orlando Magic forward Pablo Banchero (5) holds onto the ball against the Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (9) in the first half at the Kia Center in Orlando on Thu Mar 26, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (19-55) rallied in the fourth quarter of their game with the Orlando Magic (39-34) letting the game slip away in the final 50 seconds of the game. Despite the 121-117 loss DeMar DeRozan had a stellar game finishing with 33 points which was the game high. Every starter in the game had double figures with the Kings coming up just short in this one.

The Magic are tied for ninth place with the Charlotte Hornets in the Eastern Conference going into this game and they are a half game out of the eighth spot. Thursday night’s game is crucial for the Magic. The Magic took to the court without Anthony Black who averages 15 points per game and Franz Wagner who averages 21 points per game so they will be missed. Both are expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Raptors.

The Magic got on top of the Kings in the opening quarter leading after the first 12 minutes of play 39-30. Sacramento made up some of the deficit in the second quarter outscoring the Magic 29-26 but were still trailing by six points at the half 65-59.

The Kings got after it in the third quarter outscoring the Magic 31-28 trailing by three points going into the fourth quarter 93-90. Sacramento was still very much in this game after three quarters.

DeRozan was having a terrific game and with six minutes left he had scored 29 points and had five rebounds and six assists. A minute into the quarter this game was tied at 93. At 8:49 the game was again tied at 95.

At that point the Magic started to inch away and with 5:57 on the clock Orlando had a ten point lead. Too many missed three’s by the Kings in the final quarter hurt; they were 11 of 28. With so much on the line Orlando continued to pull away in the final minutes.

The Kings attempted a rally with four minutes left in the game pulling to within six points 109-103. Fouls in the final quarter were hurting Sacramento but despite that with 50 ticks left on the clock it was a one-point game 116-115 and with 20 seconds left in the game the Magic had a two-point lead 119-117.

The Kings Malik Monk fouled Desmond Bane who made both free throws. A three-point attempt by Monk missed and that was the game with the Magic prevailing 121-117.

The Kings put out a great effort with DeRozan scoring the game high with 33 points and 11 assists. Daeqwon Plowden had 23 points off the bench. Every Sacramento starter had double figures. Precious Achiuwa and Devin Carter each scored fourteen points, Malik Monk with 13 and Maxime Raynaud with ten points. The Kings had great ball protection and reeled in the turnovers, and were also solid from the line. They came up just short in a very close finish.

Paolo Banchero had the Magic’s high finishing with 30 points and Desmond Bane had 23 points.

The Kings came close in the final seconds of this game and will now play another road game facing the Eastern Conferences’ fifth place team the Atlanta Hawks. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for Saturday night 4:30 PM.

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.