King drop second game on homestand to Wizards 125-111 Friday

Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert, second from left, drives to the basket past Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Dec 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (17-14) were back in action on Friday night. The Kings last played on Wednesday night as they took on LeBron James and the LA Lakers at home. The Kings handled the Lakers with ease and looked to continue the trend on Friday. The Kings were set to take on the visiting Washington Wizards (13-21) at 7PM on Friday night. The Kings dropped the contest by the final of 125-111.

In the first quarter, the Kings started slow. The Kings offense got off to a sluggish start in the first quarter. They did manage to score 27 points in the first quarter. However, the Wizards scored 28 points with Bradley Beal leading the way with nine. Domas Sabonis led the way for the Kings with eight points.

In the second quarter, it was even worse for the Kings. The Kings offense couldn’t catch a break and the Wizards were running in the open court on offense. The Kings appeared lifeless on this Friday night and the Golden One Center crowd was audibly unhappy.

The Kings were outscored by a massive 40-23 in the second quarter to fall into a 18 point deficit headed into halftime. The Wizards could do no wrong on the offensive end shooting near 60% in the first half. The Kings would need a massive rally in the second half to come back 68-50.

In the third quarter, it was a much more even game. However, that is not what the Kings needed. In desperate need for a big quarter the Kings only managed to hang tight against the Wizards. The Kings scored 33 points in the third compared to the Wizards 34. The massive second quarter for the Wizards was holding strong for them up through the third. The Kings would head into the final quarter down 102-83. Would the Kings pull off a stunning comeback in the fourth?

In the fourth quarter, the Kings weren’t able to rally back. The Wizards continued to put the pressure on the Kings in the fourth quarter so squander any chance the Kings had at a comeback. The Kings managed to out score the Wizards 28-23 in the fourth but it was too little too late.

The Wizards had built such an insurmountable lead in the second quarter that they rolled to the victory 125-111. It was a disappointing loss for the Kings in front of a great Golden 1 Center crowd. Kyle Kuzma led all scorers with 32 points in the game to lead the Wizards to victory.

On the other hand, Domantas Sabonis had a triple double for the Kings and De’Aaron Fox finished with 26 points. It was a disappointing loss for the Kings, akin to the recent loss to Charlotte. However, the Kings will look to turn the page after Christmas.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at 7 PM PST.

No. 2-ranked Cardinal women defeat Cal 90-59

Stanford guard Hannah Jump (33) passes the ball while defended by California guard Leilani McIntosh during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Dec 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Friday, December 23, 2022

Haley Jones and Hannah Jump combined for 38 points for Stanford Friday, leading the No. 2-ranked Cardinal to a 90-59 women’s basketball victory over California at Maples Pavilion. It was the Pac-12 opener for both schools, and the Cardinal’s eighth straight win over Cal.

Jones scored 21 points, hitting 10-of-14 from the field, while pulling down 10 rebounds to go with four assists. Jump scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers.

Cameron Brink had 11 points, five boards and two blocked shots, Kiki Iriafen was next with nine points and seven rebounds, and freshman center Lauren Betts contributed nine points for Stanford (13-1 overall, 1-0 Pac-12).

Jayda Curry led the Golden Bears (9-3, 0-1) with 20 points, followed by Leilani McIntosh with 17.

The Cardinal led 47-29 at halftime, and outrebounded Cal 48-25. Stanford’s bench outscored the Bears reserves 26-12.

Stanford travels to Berkeley on Jan. 8 to face the Bears at Haas Pavilion. On New Year’s Eve, the Cardinal host Arizona State, while Cal hosts No. 18 Arizona.

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal defeat Loyola in Santa Cruz Thursday night; Stanford women host Cal Friday

Stanford women celebrate their 13th win over the Creighton Blue Jays at Maples Pavilion on Tue Dec 20, 2022 in Palo Alto (@StanfordWBB photo)

On the Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, Sister Jean’s essence back in the Windy City wasn’t enough to prevent the Stanford Cardinal (5-7) from downing Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-6) inside Kaiser Permanente Arena, 75-62.

#2 Daniel, The Cardinal meant business in the first 20 minutes of play, by going on an 8-0 run and leading by 17 points at the half, 37-20.

#3 The Stanford increased the advantage to 21 points early in the second half, and cruised in Santa Cruz to the final horn for an impressive victory south of of the Farm, 75-62

#4 Daniel, Stanford women’s head coach Tara Van Derveer was hoping to give her starters a rest but the Cardinal ran into trouble in the second half and the starters had to come in off the bench.

#5 Stanford’s (13-1) Haley Jones had 16 points and eight assists in 37 minutes against Creighton (8-4), freshman Talana Lepolo got her season second best with 17 points. No.2 Stanford beat Creighton No. 21, 72-59 on Tuesday night.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks hope to build on Thursday’s win in Vancouver on Tuesday

Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) is unable to stop a shot by San Jose Sharks left wing Oskar Lindblom, foreground, for a goal during the second period at SAP Center on Thu Dec 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Defenseman Erik Karlsson had a goal and three assists for the San Jose Sharks (11-18-6) Thursday, and was one of five different goal scorers for the Sharks in a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild (19-12-2) at SAP Center.

#2 Karlsson, Timo Meier, Kevin Lebanc, Oskar Lindblom and Noah Gregor each tallied for the Sharks, while goaltender James Reimer stopped 24 of 26 Wild shots. Karlsson’s three helpers gives him a team-leading 33 in that category.

#3 Kevin Labanc closed out the scoring with an unassisted power-play empty net goal at 19:46 of the third period. Minnesota’s Matt Boldy was serving a 2-minute minor for slashing at the time of Labanc’s goal.

#4 San Jose, 7th in the Pacific, improved to 11-18-6, 28 points. The Wild, third in the NHL Central, are 19-12-2, 40 points, and tied with Seattle for the fifth-best record in the Western Conference.

#5 The Sharks head to Vancouver to face off with the Canucks who have won five of their last ten games. The Canucks won in a shootout Thursday over the Seattle Kraken in Seattle 6-5. Face off at Rogers Centre in Vancouver on Tue Dec 27 at 7:00pm. Len how do you see this match up?

Join Len Shapiro Fridays for the Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings host a struggling Wizards team tonight at Golden One

Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant (31) during the first quarter at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Dec 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (17-13) did not welcome Lebron “King” James and the Los Angeles Lakers (13-18) into their kingdom and threw them into the moat surrounding Golden 1 Center 134-120.

#2 The Lakers actually had the advantage after the first 12 minutes of play, 26-25 in a quarter that had ten lead changes and five ties.

#3 The Kings managed to take the lead at the midway point of the contest with veteran forward and champion, Harrison Barnes led the charge with 14 points and totaled 20 for the game. At the half, 66-58 Kings.

#4 The fourth was just a formality, as the Kings held on to win by 14, despite being outscored by six at the hands of the Lakers.

#5 The Kings host the Washington Wizards who have lost nine of their last ten games. The Kings who are in sixth place and have won six of their last ten games. How do you see this game after the 7:00pm tip tonight.

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Takes Out Loyola Chicago in Former Temporary Homecourt Arena in Santa Cruz, 75-62

The Stanford Cardinal forward Harrison Ingram (55) looks to throw for a one handed shot against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers guard Braden Norris (4) at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz on Thu Dec 22, 2022 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Sister Jean’s essence back in the Windy City wasn’t enough to prevent the Stanford Cardinal (5-7) from downing Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-6) inside Kaiser Permanente Arena, 75-62.

The Cardinal meant business in the first 20 minutes of play, by going on an 8-0 run and leading by 17 points at the half, 37-20.

Sophomore forward Harrison Barnes was off to a great start by soring ten points and leading the way for his squad to have a comfortable lead midway through the contest.

Stanford increased the advantage to 21 points early in the second half, and cruised in Santa Cruz to the final horn for an impressive victory south of of the Farm, 75-62

Ingram added 5 points to his previous tally to lead the Cardinal with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Senior forward James Keefe added 14 points and 8 rebounds and senior guard Michael Jones chipped in 12 points too.

The Ramblers had four players in doble-figures: Braden Norris (18), Marquise Kennedy (14), Philip Alston (11) and Tom Welch (10), 

Stanford will next be in action back on the Farm Thursday, December 29 against colorado, while Loyola Chicago hosts George Washington New Year’s Eve Saturday in Chi Town.

Big night by Karlsson lifts Sharks past Minnesota 5-2

San Jose Sharks center Noah Gregor is congratulated for his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the first period at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Dec 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, December 22, 2022

Defenseman Erik Karlsson had a goal and three assists for San Jose Thursday, and was one of seven different goal scorers for the Sharks in a 5-2 win over Minnesota at SAP Center.

Karlsson, Timo Meier, Kevin Lebanc, Oskar Lindblom and Noah Gregor each tallied for the Sharks, while goaltender James Reimer stopped 24 of 26 Wild shots. Karlsson’s three helpers gives him a team-leading 33 in that category.

San Jose, 7th in the Pacific, improved to 11-18-6, 28 points. The Wild, third in the NHL Central, are 19-12-2, 40 points, and tied with Seattle for the fifth-best record in the Western Conference.

The Sharks opened the scoring 44 seconds into the first period on Karlsson’s 13th goal of the season, assisted by Jaycob Megna and Alexander Barabanov.

Joel Eriksson Ek tied the game at 1-1 for Minnesota with his 12th goal, coming at 2:20, Gregor’s second goal of the season at 11:37 gave San Jose a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.

Meier’s 16th goal of the season, a power-play tally, came at 12:47 of the second period, assisted by Karlsson and Nick Bonino. Prior to Meier’s goal, Mason Shaw of the Wild was serving a 5-minute major for kneeing, in addition to receiving a game misconduct penalty.

The Sharks extended their lead to 4-1 five minutes later on Lindblom’s second goal of the season, from Karlsson and Meier.

Mats Zuccarello pulled Minnesota to within 4-2 with his 15th goal, six seconds b3fore the second intermission.

Labanc closed out the scoring with an unassisted power-play empty net goal at 19:46 of the third period. Minnesota’s Matt Boldy was serving a 2-minute minor for slashing at the time of Labanc’s goal.

Filip Gustavsson gave up four of San Jose’s goals while stopping 20 of 24 shots.

After a break for the Christmas holiday, the Sharks return to action on Dec. 27 in Vancouver.

Kings Remove Lebron’s Crown Beat Lakers in California State Capital, 134-120

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) makes way against the Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) in second half action at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Dec 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings (17-13) did not welcome Lebron “King” James and the Los Angeles Lakers (13-18) into their kingdom and threw them into the moat surrounding Golden 1 Center 134-120.

The Lakers actually had the advantage after the first 12 minutes of play, 26-25 in a quarter that had 10 lead changes and five ties.

The Kings managed to take the lead at the midway point of the contest with veteran forward and champion, Harrison Barnes led the charge with 14 points and totaled 20 for the game. At the half, 66-58 Kings.

Sacramento blew it open in the third quarter, with a lead as large as 23 points and they went on a 14-0 run in the 3/4 portion of the game, leading by 20, 106-86.

The fourth was just a formality, as the Kings held on to win by 14, despite being outscored by six at the hands of the Lakers, Final tally, 134-120 for the home team.

The Kings had six players in double-figures, spearheaded by guard Kevin Huerter’s 26 points and center Domantas Sabonis’ triple-double (13 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists). Forward Keegan Murray contributed a career high 23 points and star guard De’Arron Fox put up 22 points and 6 assists, but was ejected from the game for amassing two technical fouls.

The Lakers had the entire starting five hit double-figures in points too, but of course led Lebron James’ 31 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds. Even with the loss in emphatic fashion, James expressed his fondness of Sacramento, because it is the city where everything started with his magnificent career.

The Kings will be in action again, Friday December 23, hosting the Washington Wizards. The Lakers will head back down south to welcome the Charlotte Hornets, also December 23.

Warriors blown out once again by Nets 143-113; Golden State losers of five of last six games

Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Simmons (10) dunks the ball in front of Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole (3) and Anthony Lamb (40) during the first half at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Wed Dec 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

BROOKLYN, NY. — The Golden State Warriors (15-18) finished their rough six-game road trip with a back-to-back blowout loss, falling 143-113 to the Brooklyn Nets (20-12) on Wednesday night at Barclays Center.

Brooklyn pummeled Golden State in the first half, scoring 91 points, the third-biggest in NBA history. The Warriors had 51 at the half, without injured Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson, who sat out after facing the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

The Nets made 11 of their first 12 shots and led 46-17 at the end of the first quarter. The 29-point differential was the biggest in any period in the league this season.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said early turnovers, totaling 21 by the end the night, helped the Nets gain momentum.

“We set a bad tone. You can’t, you can’t play defense recovering from a turnover, and so that was the biggest issue to start the game. We were just trying too hard to create plays and getting out of control,” said Kerr. “And then they made everything. They were phenomenal in the first half.”

Former Warriors player Kevin Durant got a technical foul for celebrating on the sidelines after Nets teammate Ben Simmons slammed down a pass. It didn’t matter much, since the Nets were up 68-31 halfway through the second quarter.

Warriors forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., who guarded Durant after a timeout, acknowledged that many young players look up to him.

“At that moment you’ve just got to step up to the challenge. I thought a lot of guys did that tonight,” said Baldwin Jr. “KD is going to be KD, he’s going to hit his tough shots, he’s going to get to his spots, but I thought a lot of guys stepped up and accepted that challenge.”

The Warriors sank to 95-51 after Simmons scored the first two baskets in the third quarter. They did not come close to closing the gap in the fourth.

Golden State’s leading scorer was James Wiseman, who had a career-high 30 points on 12-for-14 shooting.

Wiseman, whom the Warriors recently recalled from the G League and has an uncertain future, said the team had too many turnovers and broke down on defense.

“We just got to have communication and stuff and we’ll be alright,” said Wiseman. “But I feel like we did way better than the last game just in terms of playing and stuff.”

The Warriors (15-18) are on a two-game losing streak after the Knicks beat them by 38 points, and went 1-5 on the road. They return home and have several days off before a Christmas Day game against the Memphis Grizzlies (19-11) at Chase Center. Tip-off is at 5 p.m.

Barracuda drop another one on the road against the Canucks 6-3

Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda Twitter. A mass of players piles up in front of Abbotsford goaltender Collin Delia.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

San Jose went into Abbotsford and took on the Canucks Wednesday night and proceeded to drop their fifth in a row by a final of 6-3.

The first period saw the Barracuda open up the scoring with Andrew Agozzino scoring his 10th goal of the season. Both Darren Brady and Artemi Kniazev assisted on the goal.

The Canucks rallied back mere minutes later as Phil Di Giuseppe scored his fifth goal of the season and his second in as many games. Vasily Podkolzin and Guillaume Brisebois assisted on the goal.

With the period tied the Barracuda struck back this time Max Verronneau scored getting his first goal of the campaign. The assists on the goal went to Luke Johnson and Ozzy Wiesblatt.

At the end of the first the shots finished in favor of the Barracuda at 14-10.

In the second period the first goal wouldn’t come till the 14:22 mark were Justin Dowling scored his sixth of the season to get the Canucks the lead back.

A little over a minute later the Canucks got the fans up on their feet again as Will Lockwood scored his 12th goal of the season.

The shots still favored San Jose at the end of the second 27-20.

Opposite to the second the scoring in the third happened a lot quicker as at the 4:36 mark Rathbone scored on the power play to bring the Canucks lead up too two goals.

Later in the game the Barracuda pulled their goalie but Chase Wouters scored on it to get his third goal of the season and put the game away.

Despite being down, on the power play Danil Gushchin scored his eight goal of the season to bring the score back to 5-3.

Trying once again to come back San Jose pulled their goalie but once again the Canucks scored on it this time Linus Karlsson scored his eight goal of the season.

The three stars of the game were 1st: Phil Di Giuseppe 2nd: Jack Rathbone 3rd: Vasily Podkolzin

The shots at the end of the game finished in favor of San Jose at 34-25.

San Jose will get a little bit of a break as they won’t play again until Tuesday where they’ll play the Condors at home at 5:00 p.m.