Kings Go 0-5 In Pre-Season Play Losing To Los Angeles Clippers 113-91

Oct 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jordan Miller (11) drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the second quarter of NBA preseason game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn ImagesKiyoshi Mio

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Sacramento Kings (0-5) lost their final pre-season game to the Los Angeles Clippers (4-1) 113-91. The Kings have lost every pre-season game as they continue to work to get ready for the 2024-25 season.

Sacramento’s newest acquisition DeMar DeRozan is working hard to complete the starting roster for the Kings. Sacramento now has a week of hard practice ahead of them as they prepare to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves to open the season at Golden 1 Center.

Thursday evening the Kings finished up their pre-season losing to the Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The Kings have lost all of their pre-season games and they are focused on working DeMar DeRozan into the starting lineup.

They did improve ball protection in their last game and continue to work hard as they prepare for the start of the regular season which gets underway on October 24 when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Sacramento.

Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, Orlando Robinson, Trey Lyles and De’Aaron Fox were all listed GTD with a return date of October 24th. James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Derrick Jones did not play for the Clippers.

The Clippers got on top as the opening quarter wore down leading 30-20 after the first twelve minutes of play. The first quarter was sloppy at best for the Kings with 9 turnovers, shooting at 18% from downtown with only 30 % from the field.

Los Angeles continued to extend their lead in the second quarter and with 6:31 left in the first half the Clippers had a 28-48 lead. The Sacramento bench saw some action in the second quarter although Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Keegan Murray did play play in the quarter.

The Kings continue to push through the pre-season in an effort to get this lineup ready for the regular season. The Clippers took a 65-38 lead into halftime. They had outscored Sacramento 35-18 in the second quarter. The Kings finished the half with 13 turnovers, shooting 14% from downtown and 28% from the field. The Clippers were shooting nearly 60% from the field in this lopsided game.

The Kings made a rally attempt in the third quarter after trailing by as much as 27 points. They were able to pull to within 14 points before the Clippers pushed back holding onto a comfortable lead for the rest of the quarter. After three quarters Los Angeles had an 85-69 lead. The Kings were able to outscore the Clippers in the quarter 31-20.

The Clippers went on to win the fourth quarter 28-22 and the game 113-91. Domantas Sabonis finished with the high for the Kings with 24 points and 9 rebounds just shy of another double double. Keegan Murray had 11 points and 7 rebounds in the loss. Sacramento will now head back to Golden 1 Center to prepare for the start of the season next week.

The Kings will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first game of the 2024-25 season with the tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Guardians come back from behind to get walk off HR from Fry in 10th; Dodgers go up 3-1 can eliminate Mets Friday

Cleveland Guardians David Fry raises his arms in victory after hitting a bottom of the tenth two run walk off home run against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Thu Oct 17, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen Cleveland almost had this game. The Guardians had a 3-1 lead through six innings but the Yankees rallied in the top of the eighth inning for three runs to take a 5-3 lead. The Guardians would come back and tie up the game in the bottom of the ninth 5-5. The Guardians a team never to give up scored another two runs in the bottom of the tenth for the 7-5 win and pick up their first win of the ALCS.

#2 In the bottom of the ninth inning down 5-3 the Guardians sent up pinch hitter Jhonkensky Noel who belted a 404 foot home run to left field to tie up the game. Sometimes you never know what the pinch hitter is going to do. The Guardians got a game winning home run in the bottom of the tenth when David Fry hit a two run shot to left center for 399 feet to end the evening with a 7-5 win.

#3 In spite of the New York Mets walking Shohei Ohtani three times Ohtani did enough damage hitting a home run in the first inning scored a run in the third, and scored another run in the after Mookie Betts homered in the sixth inning.

#4 Dodgers Tommy Edman had a night at the plate against the Mets with a third inning RBI double, a two run RBI double in the eighth. Mookie Betts with a fourth inning two run RBI double, Betts with the homer in the sixth and scored on Will Smith’s RBI single in the eighth inning.

#5 Dodgers take a 3-1 lead in the series and could wrap it up in game five on Friday afternoon a 2:08pm PT first pitch at Citi Park. The Mets have absolutely struggled in this series in trying to figure out the Dodgers.

Stephen Ruderman is an MLB podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal looking to snap three game skid against NC State Saturday

Cal Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) had to run for his life pretty much all afternoon against Pitt Panther tackle Braylan Lovelace (0) and the Panther pass rush at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Oct 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 There was no holding down Pitt Panthers last Saturday as they maintained their undefeated record now at 6-0 while Cal drop to 3-3.

#2 Close game but Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza couldn’t get enough points on the board as Cal fell short 17-15.

#3 For Mendoza he threw 27-37 for 272 yards and one touchdown. Did the Panthers have Mendoza running for daylight as he was running out of the pocket and often and ended up getting sacked six times.

#4 Cal’s defense kept the Bears in the game but the offense just couldn’t score enough to get by the Panther in the two point loss.

#5 Cal now focuses on the NC State Wolfpack (3-4)this Saturday with a 12:30pm PT kickoff at Memorial Stadium. The Wolfpack who have lost their last two games the last one against the Syracuse Orange 24-17. Cal comes into this game against NC State snake bitten having losing their last three games all close games against Florida State on Sep 21, to Miami on Sat Oct 5 and to Pitt on Sat Oct 12. Cal will no doubt be driven to get back in the win column after last week’s loss to Pitt with home field advantage.

Join Morris Phillips for the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Mets shutout on home field 8-0 by Dodgers take 2-1 series lead

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani watches the distance of his home run in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Park in New York on Wed Oct 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen:

#1 Once again the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching came through again with a shutout against the New York Mets 8-0. Dodgers starter Walker Buehler went four innings, allowing four hits and two walks.

#2 The Dodgers also got help with the long ball tonight from Enrique Hernandez with a sixth inning home run, Shohei Ohtani an eighth inning home run, and Max Muncy a ninth inning home run.

#3 Mets starter Luis Severino pitched well going four plus allowing three hits, four walks and three strikeouts. It was the Mets relief core who surrendered runs later in the game Reed Garett 1.1 innings, allowing two hits and two runs and Tyler Megill 2.2 innings, allowing five hits and four runs.

#4 What does this say about this Dodgers pitching staff that pitched 33 consecutive innings of shutout ball and lost game two 7-3 but bounced right back in game 3 with a huge 8-0 win.

#5 Dodgers can move up 3-1 if they can pick up another win against the Mets at Citi Park on Thursday night. Starting for LA Yoshi Yamamoto (1-0, 5.63) and for the Mets Jose Quintana (0-0, 0.00) first pitch 5:08pm PT at Dodger Stadium for game four.

Stephen Ruderman is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Jessica Kwong: Cooper expected to be offensive weapon for Bills; Rogers is all in with Adams at the Jets

Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) is headed for the Buffalo Bills after getting dealt on Tue Oct 16, 2024 (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Well Jessica if you enjoy covering former Las Vegas Raider players who are on the trade block the last 24 hours this is the coverage for you. Former Raider Amari Cooper was dealt on Tuesday to the Buffalo Bills giving the Bills a solid receiver from the Cleveland Browns. Cooper for the Browns thus far this season has 24 receptions, 250 yards, two touchdowns, and is averaging 10.4 yards.

#2 With the addition of Devante Adams at wide receiver for the New York Jets joining quarterback Aaron Rogers. Rogers said it will be the added punch the Jets need on the receiving core, “Obviously, I’m really excited,” Rodgers said, “It’s on us now. We’re going all in.”

#3 Former New England Patriot legend Tom Brady will be a minority owner for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Brady stake in the purchase was approved by the NFL owners on Tuesday. Brady played 23 seasons with the Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers combined.

#4 Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is none too happy about talk show hosts  Shan Shariff, R.J. Choppy and Bobby Belt at 105.3 The Fan. Jones was asked on the show if the lack of aggressiveness was the reason why the Cowboys were 3-3. “That’s not your job or I’ll get somebody else to ask these questions, men. No, no. I’m not kidding.” said Jones

#5 The Atlanta Falcons will host the Super Bowl LXII in 2028. It will be the fourth time Atlanta will host the Super Bowl. It’s the Atlanta’s first time since 2019.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal face potent SMU on the Farm Saturday

The Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Emmett Mosely V (right) takes the ball on the run against Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Kyngstonn Vilamu-Asa (27) at Notre Dame Stadium on Sat Oct 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 When Stanford battled the Notre Dame Fighting Irish they had a hard time containing Irish quarterback Riley Leonard who threw three touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown as No.11 Notre Dame crushed Stanford 49-7.

#2 Leonard also went 16-22 for 229 yards, rushing six times for 31 yards and a touchdown.

#3 The game was delayed an hour due to lightning in the area and Leonard was replaced by back up quarterback Steven Angeli who was 2-5 for 19 yards. Leonard did most of the damage under center for Notre Dame.

#4 The Fighting Irish shutdown offense with eight tackles, four sacks and recovered a fumble. Those turnovers hurt the Cardinal most and Notre Dame were just running away with the game.

#5 It doesn’t get any easier as Stanford face the SMU Mustangs who are 5-1. The Mustangs have won three straight games and defeated the Louisville Cardinals last Saturday 34-27. The Mustangs have an offense they landslided TCU on Sep 21st 66-42. Michael how do you see this match with SMU and Stanford this Saturday on the Farm.

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Battle for Women Sports in the US

San Jose State University Spartan’s volley ball player Blaire Fleming (3) a transgender has been the subject of boycotts by four universities (San Jose State University photo)

The Battle for Women Sports in the US

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Although this instance involves a Bay Area University, this issue is becoming a bigger and bigger national issue. Simple, should a biological male who transitioned to female be able to participate in biological women’s sports? Several teams have canceled matches against San José State rather than compete against the team that features transgender senior Blaire Fleming.

Below: This was the official statement by the University of Reno women’s volleyball team.

“We, the University of Nevada Reno women’s volleyball team, forfeit against San José State University and stand united in solidarity with the volleyball teams of Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah State University,” the statement said, referring to the other teams who have forfeited their matches. We demand that our right to safety and fair competition on the court be upheld. We refuse to participate in any game that advances injustice against female athletes.”

So, how do we approach this issue in sports as a society? According to the professionals in academia, the people who know and are authorized to talk about biology, men have more skeletal muscle than women, an average of 26 pounds. Regarding upper-body strength, men have about 40% more upper-body strength than women. Regarding lower-body strength, men have about 33% lower body strength than women.

In other words, when a male is born compared to a female, they have deeper bones, tendons, and ligaments and a greater cardiovascular reserve. Men also have larger hearts, greater lung volume, higher red blood cell counts, plus other physical advantages.

This is not a commentary but a fact revealed by people who study and are qualified to give us this type of statistical information. We are all entitled to offer our opinions on sports and cultural issues. However, most people with any common sense agree that a biological man is born with more physical attributes than a female.

70% of the country agrees that biological males who do the transformation to women should not compete against biological females. I am part of that 70%, and we cannot criticize these women in collegiate sports who refuse to play against a team that showcases a biological man.

Lia Catherine Thomas is an American swimmer and the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, having won the women’s 500-yard freestyle event in 2022 before being barred from competing in women’s events by World Aquatics.

Thomas’s career has been a part of the public debate about transgender women in women’s sports. I, for one, would not like any of my two grandaughters to compete against the biological men who transitioned to female. I consider myself fair, and in my book, such a thing is not fair.

This issue is bigger than sports, but since it is now part of our sports culture, I thought we should consider what we are doing, and should be open for debate.

Amaury Pi Gonzaelz does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Pearsall returns to practice for first time after being shot; plus more Niners news

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall sits on the 49ers bench against the New England Patriots on Sun Sep 29, 2024 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. Pearsall’s return to the practice field is imminent depending on his recovery as being evaluated by the 49ers medical staff. (AP photo)

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:

#1 David, talk about Ricky Pearsall’s return. Pearsall has returned for the first time since being shot in the chest during an attempted robbery attempt in downtown San Francisco. Pearsall was shot nine days before the NFL season was set to kick off. With Pearsall’s return the 49ers have three weeks to activate him.

#2 David, talk about how important the rookies were in avoiding a collapse against the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday as the 49ers held their own in their 36-24 win at Lumen Field in Seattle.

#3 The 49ers take on one of football’s toughest the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi Stadium this Sunday Oct 20th. The Chiefs have not lost a game 5-0 and it’s almost a rematch as these two teams meet for the first time since the Super Bowl.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Despite Better Effort Kings Drop Their Fourth Pre-Season Game to Jazz 117-114

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) runs up the court to prepare to defend with the Utah Jazz John Collins (20) in the foreground with basketball at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tue Oct 15, 2024 (Getty photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (0-4) made some vast improvement in their matchup with the Utah Jazz (4-1) despite losing 117-114. They finished the game with only 11 turnovers a far cry from the 27 they had last Sunday.

They had a better effort from beyond the arc. The first half was back and forth with 13 lead changes but the second half saw the Jazz take the lead for much of the third and fourth quarters. The high for the Kings was Domantas Sabonis with another double double. He finished the game with 29 points, 8 assists and 13 rebounds.

Game recap: As this game got underway, it could not have been closer. After the first 12 minutes of play, the Kings trailed 30-31. There were lead changes throughout not only the first quarter but the second quarter as well.

Utah won the second quarter by a single point 27-26 and led at the half 58-56. Domantas Sabonis was having a great game scoring 23 points with nine rebounds on the edge of another double double.

De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan would be looking for more offense in the second half. Each of them had seven points in the first half. Sacramento had really cleaned up the turnovers in the first half with only six to Utah’s 15. This was a vast improvement over their last game against Portland and they were looking for more of the same in the second half.

The Jazz began to build a lead in the third quarter and at 5:42 led 77-68. The Kings head coach Mike Brown wasted no time calling a timeout when the team began to fall further and further behind not liking at all what he was seeing.

Sacramento would pull to within four points but by quarters end, the Jazz pushed back taking the lead 85-76 with under two minutes left in the third. After three quarters the Jazz had a 87-83 lead. De’Aaron Fox hit a 50-foot jumper at the buzzer to close out the third.

Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter the Kings trailed by two points 87-89. At 9:26, this game was tied at 92. Down the stretch at 6:31, the Jazz had a 98-97 lead and this game was up for grabs.

The game was again tied at 105 with 4:21 left on the clock. With under a minute left in the game the Jazz were clinging to a one-point lead 113-112. This game was going down to the wire. The Kings just could not get over the top losing to Utah 117-114 for their fourth pre-season loss.

Domantas Sabonis had the high for the Kings with 29 points, eight assists and 16 rebounds for another double double. DeAaron Fox finished with 22 points and seven rebounds which included the 50-ft shot at the third quarter buzzer.

Keegan Murray had 21 points and five rebounds. The Kings ball protection was great with only 11 turnovers much improved over previous games.

Keyonte George was the high for the Jazz with 24 points .

Game notes: Sunday the Kings got blown out of the water by the Trail Blazers 105-85. They had 27 turnovers and struggled defensively. Tuesday night the Kings lost to Utah (4-1) and failed to pick up their first win of the pre-season.

They were also looking for much improved ball protection as well as better offense and defense. It was a rough game for the Sacramento starters Sunday and they didn’t get much production Tuesday in Utah. When you see that starting lineup scoring barely ten points apiece you have to scratch your head. Curious. With all the turnovers, this team was not playing as a unit and Tuesday night they played a lot closer game with the Jazz but again lost and fell three points short.

The Kings will play their final pre-season game Thursday night taking on the Los Angeles Clippers looking for their first win of the pre-season. They played a far improved game Tuesday and they are moving in the right direction with the season a little over a week away. Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 7:30 PM PT at Crypto.com Arena.

MLB Post Season podcast on That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Mets tie series 1-1 with Vientos grand slam; Yanks go up on Guardians 2-0

The New York Mets Mark Vientos rounds the bases with a second inning grand slam home run at Dodger Stadium in game 2 of the NLCS. The Mets went onto tie the series at 1-1 on Mon Oct 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 New York Mets Mark Vientos hit a grand slam home run to help defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday night for a commanding 7-3 win to even the series 1-1.

#2 Amaury after getting clobbered in a 9-0 shutout the Mets regrouped and scored some runs with the Vientos grand slam and that big second inning five run rally.

#3 After Mets starter Sean Manaea five innings allowed two hit and two runs. The Mets relievers Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek, and Edwin Diaz came in and didn’t allow a run.

#4 New York Yankees showed their a powerhouse and they got big help in game 1 in the ALCS on Monday night with home run help from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton for a 5-2, over the Cleveland Guardians.

#5 The Yankees got some pitching with starter Carlos Rodon went six innings, three hits and one earned run. Rodon had injuries when he first joined the Yankees but this season he’s got tracked and has been a big part of the starting rotation.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez podcasts That’s Amaury News and Commentary Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com