Kings Finish Season With Loss To Trailblazers 122-110; Sac closes out campaign with 22-60 record

Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford looks to pass around Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the Sacramento Kings (22-60) finished off their 2025-26 season losing to the Portland Trail Blazers (42-40) 122-110. The Kings had the high score for the game. Precious Achiuwa had a double double with 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Despite the loss, Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford had double digits, Clifford with 24 points. Next big date for the Kings will be the NBA draft later this year.

Game recap: After the first 12 minutes of play this game was tied at 33. The Kings were hanging in this game until the second quarter when Portland really turned the game around outscoring the Kings 44-24. At the half the Trail Blazers had a 77-57 lead and it sure looked like Portland was in total control of the game.

One thing that we have learned in the later games of this season is that there is no “quit” on this team, they battle until the very end. These young players play hard and they never give up. By the end of the third quarter the Kings had cut the Trail Blazers lead nearly in half.

Going into the final quarter Portland had a 96-84 lead. Clifford and Achiuwa were shooting lights out. Clifford with 20 and Achiuwa with 22 points. Raynaud also had double digits shooting for 15 points.

If nothing else these guys will bring incredible energy, skill, and scoring ability to next year’s roster. The rally the Kings mounted at the end of the third quarter fell apart as the final quarter wore on.

Just when it looked as if all was lost, the Kings fought back pulling to within 11 points 103-92. With eight minutes left in the game the Kings pulled to within nine points 104-95 but that would be as close as they would get and that was the finish of the 2025-26 season for the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings Precious Achiuwa finished with the game high, a double double, 27 points and 11 rebounds. Nique Clifford had 24 points and Maxime Raynaud with 21 points.

Game notes: A season like no other has finally come to an end for the Sacramento Kings. Everything that could go wrong did and the Kings went into probably every game this season short-handed. If not every game pretty darn close to every game.

Since the start of 2026 a lot of the younger players got a rare opportunity to start games and they reaped the benefits. While Maxime Raynaud has been starting for awhile now, Nique Clifford, Devin Carter and Daeqwon Plowden have gotten a lot of minutes and the improvement they have shown has been impressive.

The Kings now look ahead to the upcoming 2026-27 season but before that the draft lottery at the end of May will be of great interest to the future of the team. Of course no team wants to finish with one of the three worst records of the season but those teams have the best chance at a first round draft pick.

Sacramento will not be in that group but they do have a 22-60 record and after Sunday night’s game and a finish to their season. They took on the Trail Blazers in their final game of the season ending with a loss Sunday. The Trail Blazers are tied for eighth place with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors Sunday night 115-110 and the Clippers came away with a big win.

Stay connected for upcoming Kings news and an important one to keep all eyes on will be the upcoming NBA draft. On May 10 the NBA draft lottery will take place. The date for the NBA draft will be announced at a later date most likely sometime in June.

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. 

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey: Kings close out home season with win over Warriors

Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (22) throws down on the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Apr 10, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 How did Devin Carter manage to score 29 points and impact the outcome of the game against the Warriors?

#2 What role did Nique Clifford play in the Kings’ starting lineup during the April 10 matchup?

#3 How effective was Precious Achiuwa in the frontcourt for Sacramento against Golden State?

#4 In what ways did Daeqwon Plowden contribute to the Kings’ performance in this game?

#5 How did Maxime Raynaud perform as a starter, and what impact did he have on the Kings’ win over the Warriors?

Tony Harvey covered the 2025-26 Sacramento Kings at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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. 

Kings Celebrate G-Man, Rally Past Warriors 124-118 in Final Home Game

Devin Carter #22 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket past Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Golden 1 Center on April 10, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — The Kings closed the book on their 2025-2026 home schedule on Friday night as they played their final game at Golden 1 Center. The Kings took on the Warriors at 7 p.m. PST in what was largely a meaningless game for both clubs. The Warriors, already locked into the tenth seed in the Western Conference, were largely tuning up for their play-in action next week, while the Kings were getting their final looks from their young guys. The season doesn’t officially end for the Kings until Sunday, but the last home game always has a nice celebratory feel to it, regardless of how little success the team had on the floor this season.

Adding to the celebration on Friday, the Kings honored longtime radio play-by-play broadcaster Gary ‘G-Man’ Gerould by announcing the naming of the Kings’ media dining and work areas after him. The team announced that the media dining and workspace at Golden 1 Center will be named the “Gary ‘G-Man’ Gerould Media Center” at the beginning of the 2026-2027 season.

“For more than 40 years, G-Man has been the defining voice of the Sacramento Kings, bringing every moment to life on the radio with unmatched precision, passion, and storytelling,” said Sacramento Kings Chairman and Owner Vivek Ranadivé in a team release following the announcement.

Gary is one of my personal favorite people I have ever met. His infectious kindness and sharp personality are just some of the attributes that set him apart in the broadcast landscape. It’s been an honor to work around him during the seasons I have covered the Kings, and each interaction I have with him leaves me better than I began. A well-deserved honor for the Sacramento icon.

However, it wasn’t just celebration that was on the docket for Friday night. The Kings played the Warriors hard on Friday and defeated Golden State 124-118.

In the first quarter, the Kings jumped out to an early lead against the Warriors as they outscored them 32-27 in the opening salvo. The Kings, led by 11 points from Malik Monk, took a five-point advantage early as the Warriors had no answers for the guard. Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors in first-quarter scoring with six points, while Draymond Green and Al Horford added five points each.

In the second quarter, the Kings continued to create more separation from the Warriors. The Kings outscored the Warriors 31-24 in the second quarter to take a 12-point, 63-51 lead into the halftime break. The Kings’ offense shined in the first half as they assisted on 14 of their baskets while committing only eight turnovers. Devin Carter and Nique Clifford cooked for the Kings in the second quarter, scoring 10 points each while amassing 12 points apiece in the first half. De’Anthony Melton led the way for the Warriors with 17 points in the half, all of which came in the second quarter.

Coming out of halftime in the third quarter down 12, it was all Warriors early in the quarter as they went on a 12-2 run to pull back within reach of the Kings. Steph Curry and Kristaps Porzingis led the early push for the Warriors with five points each during that run. The rest of the third, the Warriors didn’t let up. Golden State outscored the Kings 38-19 in the quarter to take a seven-point, 89-82 lead into the final quarter of action. Brandin Podziemski led the resurgence for the Warriors with 10 third-quarter points, while Devin Carter carried the offensive load for the Kings with nine.

In the fourth quarter, the game turned into a back-and-forth battle. The Kings battled back and outscored the Warriors 42-29 in the fourth quarter to seal the 124-118 win. The game came down to the final few possessions, but timely free throws from Nique Clifford ultimately sealed the deal. Brandin Podziemski did what he could to keep the Warriors in it with 14 fourth-quarter points, but it was Maxime Raynaud and Daeqwon Plowden each scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter that propelled the Kings to victory. Devin Carter led the Kings in scoring with 29 points, while Maxime Raynaud added 23, Nique Clifford 20, and Daeqwon Plowden 20 points in the game.

It was the Kings’ final home game and final beam in a tumultuous 2025-2026 season for the Kings.

The Kings will go on the road for their final game of the season on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. PST in Portland to take on the Trail Blazers.

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. 

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Can Kings shutdown Warriors Curry as both teams meet for a 2nd time in a week

Can the Sacramento Kings put Stephen Curry (30) and the Golden State Warriors on their backs this Fri Apr 10, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento? To find out listen to the Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 How will Maxime Raynaud’s presence impact the Kings’ ability to control rebounds and interior scoring against the Warriors?

#2 Can DeMar DeRozan take over offensively in clutch moments against Golden State’s defense?

#3 What role will Malik Monk play as a scorer and playmaker off the bench or in the starting lineup? (He has been a key contributor in recent seasons.)

#4 How important is Doug McDermott’s three-point shooting in stretching the Warriors’ defense?

#5 Can Killan Hayes provide enough offensive production to compensate for injuries and keep the game competitive?

Join Jeremiah Salmonson Thursday nights for the Sacramento Kings podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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. 

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor: Warriors hold on to be at Kings 110-105; Curry cans 17 points on return

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes a jump shot against the Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (9) during the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 7, 2026 (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor:

#1 David the anticipated return of Stephen Curry after missing 27 games scored 17 points the Golden State Warriors (37-42) win over the visiting Sacramento Kings (21-59) 110-105 at Chase Center on Tuesday night.

#2 The Warriors were aware of the Kings Maxime Raynaud who can be effective from anywhere on the floor led Sacramento with 17 points.

#3 Next up for the Warriors another meeting with the Kings this time in Sacramento on Fri Apr 10th with a 7:00pm PDT tip. This one will be at Golden 1 do you see Curry’s return almost a sure win for Golden State in Sacramento?

David Zizmor does the Golden State Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sac Kings game wrap: Kings Comeback Effort Falls Short in 110-105 Loss to Warriors

Dylan Cardwell #32 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 7, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SAN FRANCISCO — The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center. The Kings were squarely out of the playoff picture when they took on the playoff-hopeful Warriors. The Warriors are guaranteed the 10th spot in the Western Conference as they attempt to make a playoff run with Steph Curry having returned from injury.

On Tuesday, the Kings played with a highly depleted lineup that was missing the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook, Keegan Murray, and Zach LaVine. The Kings only had nine players available in the game. The Warriors were back in tow with Steph Curry, albeit off the bench in his second game back from injury. In a tough-fought game, the Kings fell to the Warriors 110-105 on Tuesday night.

In the first quarter, the Kings played the Warriors tough as they managed to outscore them 26-25 in the game’s opening 12 minutes. Maxime Raynaud and Daeqwon Plowden led the Kings’ offensive efforts in the first quarter as they scored seven and six points, respectively, to open the game. On the Warriors’ side, Pat Spencer led the scoring with seven points in the opening frame.

In the second quarter, the Warriors dominated and created significant separation from the Kings. De’Anthony Melton led the way for the Warriors with 12 second-quarter points as they outscored the Kings 41-27. Steph Curry trailed slightly behind Melton as he powered the Warriors in the second quarter with 11 points of his own. The Kings, who scored 27 points in the quarter, were led in scoring by Doug McDermott and Nique Clifford, who scored eight and five points, respectively.

The Kings went into halftime trailing the Warriors 66-53 after the first half of play in San Francisco.

In the third quarter, the Kings outplayed the Warriors in all aspects of the game and began a comeback attempt after being down 13 heading into halftime. The Kings outscored the Warriors 28-19 in the third quarter to come within four points and make it an 85-81 game heading into the fourth. Killian Hayes and Maxime Raynaud led the charge for the Kings, scoring eight points each in the quarter. Gary Payton II led the way for the Warriors, adding six points in the third.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings continued to push. However, De’Anthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski each scored seven points in the final frame to keep the Kings at bay. The Warriors outscored the Kings 26-25 in the final quarter to take home the win by the final of 110-105. Precious Achiuwa and Doug McDermott each added eight points in the final frame to keep the Kings in it. The Kings failed to come back and win the game, but it was not without fight and positive trajectory for the young group led by Doug Christie.

“It’s one of the gratifying things [watching players grow] that as you watch your players… we watch film, we talk about certain things and you get in practice, we work on certain things, and to watch them take that to the floor and do it is absolutely huge,” Doug Christie said.

“I think that they’ve faced adversity many, many times,” Doug continued. “And previously I thought they would drop rope and put their heads down, letting the game get away from us instead of continuing to fight. But all the little things that we talk about… super gratifying.”

Dylan Cardwell and Killian Hayes were some of the standouts for the Kings in the loss on Tuesday.

Cardwell finished with eight points, nine boards, and three blocks in the game. He had a large impact on the court in his nearly 26 minutes, which also included a scary incident with Draymond Green later in the game where they bumped knees. However, he stayed in the game after appearing to be in visible pain and finished the game.

“It was just me and Draymond knee to knee,” Dylan said after the game. “Just fighting for a rebound, so we were both hurt, whatever. But I got over it.”

Dylan, who seems to have found his timing again on the court after his return from his ankle injury, spoke on his process of getting back to form.

“That was my first ever… missing games in my whole entire life. The most games I missed in college in a row was one, I missed two games in five years, so that was my first time really sitting out for a while. So I had to give myself a little grace in returning, and now I feel more active… it just took a couple games for me to get back to where I was at.”

Killian Hayes had 18 points and four steals in the game to help the Kings in their comeback efforts. Dylan was excited to see Hayes performing at a high level and showing what they believe he can do on a regular basis.

“It is nice to see him all over the stat sheet,” Cardwell said of Hayes. “And then he’s a great defender. He is a great teammate, so I’m really happy for him.”

Killian spoke after the game about his role and the keys to his success that come from Doug Christie.

“He [Doug Christie] wants me to be aggressive defensively, picking up, getting deflections and things like that,” Hayes said after the game. “And on offense, just get the guys going and be aggressive as well.”

With the Jazz and Kings both losing on Tuesday, the Kings remain tied with the Jazz for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. The final two games of the season will determine the lottery odds for the draft later this summer.

The Kings will return home to take on the Warriors again on Friday at 7 p.m. PST at the Golden 1 Center.

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. 

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Warriors Snap 4-Game Losing Streak & Beat Kings, 110-105

Golden State Warriors guard (#31) Seth Curry makes a 22-foot three-point jumper on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA. (Photo Credits to Editor Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – After losing four games in a row, three of them at home, the Golden State Warriors were able to grab a Dub on the Sacramento Kings as Golden State celebrated Asian Heritage Night. This home game was their second-to-last home game, so the Warriors wanted to defend their home and hopefully end their last four games with wins, starting with this one. Also, this would be Golden State’s 605th consecutive sellout. The final score on this Tuesday evening was 110-105, with the Warriors winning by 5 points.

After missing 27 straight games (February 3–April 2) due to right patellofemoral discomfort syndrome, Stephen Curry returned to the starting lineup on April 5 against Houston (the Warriors were 9–18 in those games). Curry last played in a game before April 5 on January 30 against Detroit; he left the game with 4:08 remaining in the third quarter. At 8:38 in the first quarter, Curry came off the bench in a regular-season game for the first time since March 7, 2012, against Memphis, and for the seventh time in his career (Warriors 3-4 in those games).

The Golden State roster is still hurting from the team’s injuries. The Warriors sent out Patrick Spencer, Malevy Leons, Draymond Green, De’Anthony Melton, and Brandin Podziemski as their starters. This is Golden State’s second-to-last home game, and the teams’ third time seeing each other this season. The series for this season was tied entering this game, 1-1, but now the Warriors lead the series match-up, 2-1. These two teams last faced off on January 9th, 2026, here in Chase Center at the Bay. With Golden State winning by 34 points, 137-103.

The Sacramento Kings are also in the same situation as the Warriors with injuries. The team has 8 players out due to injury. So with that, the Kings started with Precious Achiuwa, Maxime Raynaud, Daeqwon Plowden, Devin Carter, and Nique Clifford. The Kings have been eliminated from the playoffs, and is doing their best to end the season with some wins.

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski got the game from the free throw line after being fouled by Kings guard Nique Clifford. After that, both of the teams would go back and forth on exchanging buckets. With the Kings and Warriors both shooting the same on the floor. Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry would come off the bench again , after this game, just being his second game returning from injury.

After the first quarter, the Kings held the lead by one point, 26-25. One thing about these two teams is that the games will always be close to a certain point. The Kings and Warriors were shooting about the same on the floor in all categories. Sacramento and Golden State’s playing style and performance were the exact same, and already there were ten lead changes.

Halfway through the second quarter, the Warriors were starting to get comfortable, seeing some shots go in, and being cautious with the ball. Sacramento shooting above 50% in their categories is keeping them in, but Golden State hit some big three-pointers to give them the momentum. Also, the Warriors’ transition and hustle were big factors on how the score was starting to change.

The Warriors went into the final minutes making five three-pointers, two of which would end up being four point play conversions by Stephen Curry. His shots from deep are what helped push the Warriors’ lead even more. By halftime, the score was 66-53, and Golden State led over Sacramento. At the moment, the Warriors were being lead by guard Stephen Curry with his 14 points, three rebounds, and going 3-of-6 from deep.

Throughout the third quarter, both teams would have a big jump in their turnovers, especially Golden State. The Warriors would go from five turnovers to 16 turnovers. However, both teams took advantage of each other’s turnovers as both teams had pick up 19 points from it. The Warriors would shoot eight three pointers, but went cold, as they only made just one of them. Golden State would just drop 19 points in the third quarter.

The Kings’ resilience and hustle were their factor on how they kept them in the game. King’s guard Killian Hayes would hit his third three-pointer of the night. With that shot going in right before the end of the third quarter, the Warriors would hold on to the lead by just four points, 85-81. Although the Kings only made two three-pointers in the third as well, Sacramento’s presence in the paint helped a lot as they had more than the Warriors in there, the Kings would have 40 points compared to the Warriors’ 34 points.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Kings were pressuring more on defense and showing more of their intensity as they were able to get within two points. By the eight minute mark, the Kings were up by two points, 91-89. The Kings were able to see more shots go in than the Warriors, and just fight for more rebounds than them when it mattered to help solidify their lead.

Entering the last three minutes of play, the score was 104-100, the Kings lead by three points. “The Battle of NorCal” never disappoints wherever its being played at, whether in San Francisco or Sacramento. As Kings and Warriors exchange three-pointers in back-to-back sequences. Warriors Brandin Podziemski would hit a 24-foot three pointer that gave Golden State the lead, and was ultimately the dagger on the Kings. After that, the Warriors would run out the clock and take the win.

Out of the nine players that Golden State played, six of them were in double digits. However, it would be De’Anthony Melton leading the team tonight with his 21 points, four rebounds, and five assists. In his second game back, Stephen Curry dropped 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists to get the Warriors’ 22nd home win this season. The Warriors would end the night with 17 made three-pointers.

The Golden State Warriors return to Chase Center on Thursday evening and will host the Los Angeles Lakers. That game will be the final home regular season game for the Warriors, so Golden State again will defend their home, and will try to get a win for Dub Nation in the home finale. The Kings and Warriors will see each other one more time, but in Sacramento this Friday on April 10th in Golden 1 Center.

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Renteria: Kings Devin Carter leading the offense as Sac opens two games against Golden State

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) drives past Sacramento Kings guard Nique Cilfford (5) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Apr 5, 2027 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings Podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 How will Devin Williams attack the Warriors’ perimeter defense, and can he consistently break down defenders like Stephen Curry and Bradin Podziemski off the dribble?

#2 Can Maxime Raynaud control the glass and facilitate the offense against Draymond Green’s defense in the paint and at the high post?

#3 Keegan Murray was missed for most of this season talk about how that impacted the Kings this season.

#4 How effective will Malik Monk be as a spark off the bench, and can his shot creation exploit the Warriors’ second unit?

#5 Can Nique Clifford find rhythm early from beyond the arc, and how will his off-ball movement challenge Golden State’s defensive rotations?

Tony Renteria did Sacramento Kings podcasts during the 2025-26 season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason: Kings to face Warriors twice Tuesday and Friday

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is guarded by the Sacramento Kings Killian Hayes (3) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Apr 5, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:

  1. On March 14 the Sacramento Kings pulled an upset over the Los Angeles Clippers beating them 118-109 but Apr 5 Sunday night was a whole new ball game as the Clippers dominated in a must win for Los Angeles 138-109. The Clippers are currently in ninth place a half game behind the Trailblazers so the win Sunday night was critical for Los Angeles.

2. A number of Kings remained out for this game. Russell Westbrook remain out with a toe issue and they have listed the return of Keegan Murray as April 7 but will that happen? The Kings will see if either of them will be on the court as the season winds down.

3. The Kings did not get a whole lot from either starters nor their bench Sunday. In contrast, the Clippers Kawhi Leonard was on fire as was bench player John Collins.

4. Sacramento struggled for most of the game, they fell behind early and got blindsided in the third quarter as the Clippers really turned it on in the second half blowing the Kings out of the water. Three Kings players barely got into double figures struggling offensively.

5. With only three games left in the season the Kings will now face the Golden State Warriors Tuesday Apr 7 in San Francisco and again on Fri Apr 10 in Sacramento.

Barbara Mason covered the Sacramento Kings podcasts for the 2025-26 season Mondays for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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. 

Clippers Dominate Kings From Start to Finish in 138-109 Blowout

Kris Dunn #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers and Dylan Cardwell #32 of the Sacramento Kings fight for the loose ball during the first half at Golden 1 Center on April 05, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Don Collier/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings were back in action at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday night. The Kings played a rare nighttime Sunday game that started at 6 p.m. PST as they welcomed the Los Angeles Clippers to town.

The Kings, who are well outside of the NBA’s playoff picture, attempted to play spoiler to the Clippers, who entered the game a half-game back of the eighth play-in spot.

The Clippers definitively defeated the Kings 138-109 on Sunday night.

In the first quarter, the Clippers jumped all over the Kings to open the game. The Clippers put up a massive 42 points in the quarter as Kawhi Leonard led the way with 13 points. The Kings managed 32 points of their own in the quarter, aided by nine points from DeMar DeRozan, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Clippers’ pace and shot-making early in the game.

In the second quarter, the Clippers took their 10-point lead and expanded it to 12 points. The Clippers outscored the Kings 29-27 in the second quarter of action to take a 71-59 lead into halftime. The Clippers were led in first-half scoring by Kawhi Leonard, who had 15 points, and Darius Garland, who was close behind with 13 first-half points. The Kings’ best scoring came from Daeqwon Plowden, who scored 10 first-half points, as DeMar DeRozan and Nique Clifford each added nine of their own.

In the third quarter, the Kings trailed by 12 points and desperately needed a spark to mount a comeback.

The third quarter was unkind to the Kings as the Clippers outscored them 36-20 to blow the game open and expand their lead to 107-79, with a 28-point cushion heading into the fourth quarter. Devin Carter led the Kings’ minimal scoring efforts in the third quarter as he put up seven points for the Kings. The Clippers continued their offensive push with 11 more points from Kawhi Leonard, who finished the third quarter with 26 points to lead the Clippers.

The fourth quarter was more of an afterthought as the Kings were squarely out of the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Clippers outscored the Kings 31-30 to win all four quarters against the Kings and finish the game with a 138-109 victory. The Kings didn’t lead at any point in the game as the Clippers took the lead on the first basket and didn’t look back. Devin Carter, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell each scored seven points in the final quarter of the game to lead the Kings, while Kobe Sanders scored 14 fourth-quarter points for the Clippers as the game wound down.

The Kings were led in scoring by Devin Carter, who scored 21 points in the game, while Nique Clifford added 18 points in the contest. Big man Maxime Raynaud had an 11-point, 16-rebound performance, while Dylan Cardwell added 15 points.

The Kings will head on the road to take on the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday at 7 p.m. PST at Chase Center.