Category: Sacramento Kings

Kings Eliminated by Mavericks 120-106 in Play-In; Monte McNair Fired Immediately After Game

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Monte McNair ex GM (right) and owner Vivek Ranadive (left) of the Sacramento Kings (Photo: ESPN on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–In a whirlwind of a season for the Kings, it all came down to one game. The Kings and Mavericks played in the Western Conference 9/10 play-in game on Wednesday night inside Golden 1 Center.

The sold-out crowd inside G1C was raucous from the start as the Kings looked for a win and a date with the Memphis Grizzlies in a second play-in game for the eighth seed. The Kings and Mavs largely had similar seasons marred with turmoil and turnover.

The Mavs made what many consider to be the worst trade in NBA history, shipping Luka Doncic out for the Lakers’ Anthony Davis. On the other hand, the Kings traded All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox and head coach Mike Brown during the season. Neither team could afford to lose the game, but one was destined to. The Sacramento Kings’ season ended on Wednesday as they lost to the Mavs 120-106.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a solid start. The pace and intensity matched the Mavericks’, and the Kings outscored them 29-27 in the opening quarter. It seemed the Kings came to play; however, the first quarter would be the only quarter in which the game was close.

In the second quarter, the Mavs exploded for 44 points compared to the Kings’ 19. The Kings appeared to lose all will to live in the game. I felt as if I was watching someone slowly die after the body had given up. The Kings went into halftime trailing the Mavs 71-48.

In the third quarter, the Mavs continued to pour it on. Dallas outscored the Kings 33-28 in the third as all hopes of a Kings comeback were snuffed out. The Kings continued to struggle to contain the Mavs, as their size and length proved too much for Sacramento.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings had all but mailed it in. The Kings couldn’t mount any comeback as they were blown off their home court by the final of 120-106. The Kings went out with a whimper in the 2024-2025 campaign. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings in defeat with 30 points in 43 minutes of action.

Immediately following the game, while reporters were in the locker room, I got word from a league source that Kings head coach Monte McNair was fired.

Following the news, players were called into a meeting while some still showered—another cog in the wild turn of events that was the Kings’ season.

The Kings will hold exit interviews later this week, and the media will get one last chance to talk to this current group of players.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Can Kings get this play in game against Mavericks?

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Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) picked up his 61st double double of the season against the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento Sun Apr 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas each chalked up a double double as the Sacramento Kings clinched for their first play in game after defeating the Phoenix Suns 109-98 Sunday.

#2 Sabonis scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds for his 61st double-double of the season. Valanciunas scored 22 points and ten rebounds.

#3 The Kings Zach LaVine scored 20 points and the Kings improved to 40-42 and are ending their regular season on positive note with a win.

#4 The Kings will meet the Dallas Mavericks for the play in game. The Kings finished the season in ninth place and the Mavericks finished at tenth place. The Play In game is one and done on Wed Apr 16 for a 7:00pm PDT tip off at Golden 1. How do you see this post season match up?

Tony Renteria podcasts the Sacramento King each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings move onto next step with Play In game vs. Dallas Wednesday

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The Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan takes a jump shot against the Phoenix Suns Cody Martin (17) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Apr 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas each chalked up a double double as the Sacramento Kings clinched for their first play in game after defeating the Phoenix Suns 109-98 Sunday.

#2 Sabonis scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds for his 61st double-double of the season. Valanciunas scored 22 points and ten rebounds.

#3 The Kings Zach LaVine scored 20 points and improved to 40-42 and are ending their regular season on positive note with a win.

#4 The Kings will meet the Dallas Mavericks for the play in game. The Kings finished the season in ninth place and the Mavericks finished at tenth place. The Play In game is one and done on Wed Apr 16 for a 7:00pm PDT tip off at Golden 1. How do you see this post season match up?

Barbara Mason covers the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Secure Home Court in 109-98 Win Over Suns; Sac hosts Dallas Wednesday at Golden 1 in Play In

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Domantas Sabonis on Sunday in the game against the Phoenix Suns (Photo: Sacramento Kings on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — It was game 82 of 82 on Sunday afternoon. In a season known more for turmoil than winning, the Kings laced them up one last time in 2025, trying to secure a home play-in game on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks.

After a disappointing season for the Phoenix Suns, they traveled to Sacramento to take on the Kings on Sunday. Officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Suns wouldn’t play any of their stars. Brad Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker all sat for the Suns. The environment was ripe for a Kings win and they took advantage of the resting Suns with a 109-98 win at Golden 1 Center on Sunday to advance to the play in playoffs.

In the first quarter, the Kings outscored the Suns 33-25 to get off to a quick start. The Kings’ energy and intensity were good, and they looked like a team that came to win. Zach LaVine scored 10 points in the first quarter to get off to a hot start offensively.

In the second quarter, the Suns made a run and outscored the Kings 29-24 to get the game within three points going into halftime at 57-54. The Kings’ scoring in the first half came from Domantas Sabonis, who had 17 points in the half.

In the third quarter, the Kings expanded their slim halftime lead to 11 points by the end of the period. The Kings outscored the Suns 29-21 in the third as they looked to complete the win in the fourth.

In the final quarter, the Kings largely played the bench unit as the regular season came to a close. The Kings and Suns both scored 23 points in the final quarter, allowing the Kings to secure the 109-98 victory. The Kings’ best performance came from Jonas Valanciunas, who scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds on the day.

The Kings will stay home to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the 9/10 seed play-in game on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7 PM PST inside Golden 1 Center.

NBA G League Playoffs: Kings even up series 144-126 over Magic at Adventist Arena

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The Stockton Kings forward Terry Taylor (32) goes for the throw down against the Osceola Magic in game 2 of the G League playoffs at Adventist Arena in Stockton on Fri Apr 11, 2025 (Stockton Kings X)

By William Espy

STOCKTON–It was do-or-die for the Stockton Kings on Friday night in front of a sell-out crowd at AdventistHealth Arena. A win would force a game three in the NBA G League Finals. A loss on the other hand, would crown the Osceola Magic as G League Champions. The Kings performed well and won game 2 enough to live another game of the G League Playoffs defeating the Magic 144-126.

Early in the game, both teams were trading points back and forth. It took four minutes for a team to take a two-possession lead. The Magic maintained that pace for a while at that point though, as each time the Kings would score, so would Osceola.

Halfway through the quarter, the Magic had started pulling away with a seven point lead. Just a couple of minutes later though, Stockton would have a two point lead of their own. That lead would eventually lead to a game-high, at that point, nine point lead for the Kings at the end of the first quarter.

The Magic quickly shrank that lead, getting off to a hot start in the second quarter and clawing their way back into the mix. Once again, by the halfway point of the second quarter, the visiting team held the lead. They carried that lead into halftime, as the Magic led 75-68 after 24 minutes.

As was becoming a theme in this game, the lead would be short lived as a difficult three by Mason Jones tied the game up for the Kings with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. After a back-and-forth quarter, Stockton carried a lead into the final frame. With a score of 110-104 in favor of the home team, it was still anyone’s game.

The Kings were dominant to start the fourth quarter. They quickly grew their lead to double digits with a 9-0 run, and forcing the Magic to take a timeout in the process. The Kings continued to grow their lead, making it 129-112 with just over half of the quarter remaining.

Led by strong performances by Jones, Skal Labissiere and Dexter Dennis, the Kings were able to overcome Mac McClung and the Magic to force a game three, winning with a final score of 144-126

Kings Fall Short in Narrow 101-100 Loss to Clippers

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Kings vs the Clippers on Friday night. (Photo: Kings on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — The Kings were back in action on Friday night in Sacramento as they took on the visiting LA Clippers. The Kings lost to LA by a final of 101-100 on Friday night inside Golden 1 Center.

In the first half, the Kings and Clippers kept pace with each other, trying to vie for position. The Kings outscored the Clippers 29-24 to jump out to the quick lead in the game.

In the second quarter, the Kings were outplayed by LA, as the Clippers outscored the Kings 26-20 en route to a one-point 50-49 halftime lead. The Kings were led in the first half by Domantas, who had 10 points in the half.

In the second half, the Kings fell behind the Clippers as they outpaced the Kings 25-21 in the third quarter. Offensively, the Kings couldn’t get anything going early in the second half and were in danger of the game slipping away.

However, the Kings battled and were able to bring the game to within one point with the ball and 2.2 seconds to go in the game. The Kings would inbound the ball to DeMar DeRozan near the logo, and he wouldn’t get a good shot off as the Kings lost 101-100.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings outscored the Clippers 30-26, but it wasn’t enough to win the game.

The Kings were led in the loss by Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, who scored 26 and 19 points respectively.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the Phoenix Suns in the final game of the regular season on Sunday at 12:30 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Nuggets were on a mission Wednesday; Kings hope to stop Clippers tonight

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Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) blocks a shot by Sacramento Kings guard Zack LaVine (8) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Apr 9, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets had a triple double with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists as the Nuggets ended their four game skid with a 124-116 win over the Sacramento Kings at Golden1 Center in Sacramento on Wednesday night.

#2 It was the first game for the Nuggets since Mike Malone was fired and the Nuggets ironically were playing against the Kings the organization who fired Malone just before he started with the Nuggets. Were the firings of Malone by the Kings and Nuggets for similar reasons or totally different reasons by each team?

#3 The Nuggets who ended their four game loss streak got scoring help from Christian Braun with 25 points and Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter who had 21 points each.

#4 The win for the Nuggets is a sweep over the Kings for the season. After four straight loses, a new coach for Denver the Nuggets came into Golden 1 on a mission.

#5 Next up for the Kings the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden 1 Center tonight. The Clippers are on a roll they have won six straight games and are fifth in the Western Conference and are 48-32. The Kings coming in tonight are ninth at 39-41 having won four out of their last ten games. What are the Kings chances of getting past the Clippers?

Jeremiah Salmonson does the Sacramento Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings’ Late Rally Falls Short as Jokic, Nuggets Hand Sacramento 124-116 Loss

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The Kings play the Nuggets in Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night (Photo: Sacramento Kings on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings were back home on Wednesday night to take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. The Kings were fresh off a 3-3 road trip, while Denver was fresh off firing long-tenured head coach Mike Malone. Malone was the coach for Denver for 10 seasons, and former Kings head coach Rick Adelman’s son, David Adelman, took over on an interim basis in Denver.

The Kings lost to Denver 124-116 on Wednesday night. 

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a slow start. The Kings’ offense was only able to score 25 points, as Denver managed to put up 33 in the opening period. We saw early sightings of Doug McDermott and Devin Carter in the game, as Doug Christie was going deep into his bench due to the injuries to Jake LaRavia and Malik Monk.

In the second quarter, the Kings matched the intensity from Denver. Both the Kings and the Nuggets scored 33 points in the quarter, as Denver took a 66-58 lead into halftime. The Kings did not see any player reach double figures in the first half, while Denver had four players with double-digit points at the break. The Kings felt outmatched in the opening half and would need to significantly increase their scoring to take the game from Denver.

In the third, the Nuggets continued their steady barrage on the Kings. The Nuggets outscored the Kings 27-25, expanding their lead heading into the final frame, 93-83. The Kings weren’t losing by much, but slowly, over the course of the game, the lead ballooned.

In the fourth, the Kings made a run but ultimately weren’t able to seal the deal as they fell to Denver, 124-116. The Kings managed to pull within four points at 108-104 with just over four minutes left in the game. However, that would be the last run the Kings made, as Denver sealed the deal shortly afterward. The Kings outscored the Nuggets in the fourth quarter, 33-31, but it was too little, too late.

The Kings were led in the defeat by Zach LaVine, who scored 27 points on 10-20 shooting from the floor. Denver was led by Nikola Jokic, who scored 20 points to go along with 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

With the loss, the Kings remain one game up on the 10th-seed Dallas Mavericks.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the LA Clippers on Friday at 7 PM PST in Sacramento.

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Renteria: Kings looking to extend win streak; Nuggets looking to end 4 game skid; Both face off Wednesday

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Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) tries to take a shot between the Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) and guard Cade Cunningham (2) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mon Apr 7, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Sacramento Kings Zach LaVine led the way with 43 points and had scored 17 of those points in the third quarter. The Kings DeMar DeRozan had 37 points and the Kings defeated the Detroit Pistons 127-117 at Little Caesars Arena on Monday night.

#2 The Kings have now won three straight and are vying for a chance for a first round home game in the play in tournament.

#3 The Kings Domantas Sabonis scored 19 points, had 15 rebounds and had 10 assists Sabonis has been key for the Kings all season and during this three game win streak.

#4 The Kings hold a one game lead over ninth place Dallas in the Western Conference. There starting to win games at the right time as the regular season winds down.

#5 The Kings host the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday night. The Nuggets are struggling with a four game losing streak. They hold fourth place in the Western Conference if the Kings can continue to battle like they have this game could be for the ages as the Nuggets are fighting to get back in the win column and the Kings are trying to climb in the standings for that playoff spot.

Join Tony for the Kings podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Continue Winning Streak at 3 Beating Pistons 127-117

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Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan left dribble drives past the Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (right) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Mon Apr 7, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (39-40) continue to impress beating the Detroit Pistons (43-36) 127-117. Zach LaVine had another monster game finishing with 43 points this time and DeMar DeRozan with 37. Domantas Sabonis finished with a triple double, 19 points, 10 assists and 15 rebounds. The Kings had trailed by as much as 18 points in the first half. Despite the back-to-back for the Kings they pushed through the fatigue to beat the Pistons.

Game recap: The Kings had a slight lead after the first 12 minutes of play 38-37 in a high scoring quarter. Both DeRozan and LaVine finished the opening quarter with double digits although the Kings did not seem to have the same energy they had Sunday night. Fatigue could be the culprit jumping on a plane after last night’s game and heading into Detroit to play again 24 hours later. The Pistons did not play Sunday night after losing to the Grizzlies Saturday night 109-103.

The Pistons took the lead in the second quarter and five minutes into the quarter had taken a 14 point lead. Sacramento took a time out looking to get a handle on this game before it really went sideways. Detroit had taken a 56-42 lead with 7:25 left in the half. Making matters worse for the Kings, Malik Monk was forced to leave the court and it was decided that he would not return for the remainder of the game with calf tightness.

Detroit continued to maintain their lead but was unable to extend it still leading by 14 through much of the quarter. The Kings had gone flat in the second quarter after a close first quarter of basketball. Sacramento, in the final minute of the second quarter, had cut the 18 point lead that the Pistons had to ten points. At the half, the Pistons had a 72-62 lead.

In this back-to-back game for the Kings the eight turnovers were really hurting them conceding 16 points on those turnovers. DeRozan had a great first half shooting for 22 points and was looking for help from Sabonis and LaVine in the second half.

With 33 seconds left in the third quarter the Kings tied the game and with 0.1 on the clock LaVine hit a 26-foot three to give Sacramento the lead 97-94.

LaVine had really come to life finishing the three quarters with 26 points. Sabonis already had a double double and was eyeing a triple double with eight assists. Jonas Valanciunas also had a double double with 11 rebounds and ten points.

The Kings got a hot start to open the fourth quarter with LaVine hitting three triples in the opening minutes. He was six of eight from beyond the arc and he had 35 points with a lot of game still left for more.

At 10:13 the Kings had a 106-102 lead. As the quarter wore on, both team were battling for this game with the Kings holding onto as much as a seven point lead. At the four minute mark Sacramento had a 117-112 lead.

Much like last night they were forced to finish the game and were looking to finish another game at the expense of Detroit in this tight ball game. With under three minutes left in the game, the Kings had a 119-112 lead.

The Pistons had gone cold; the Kings continued to extend their lead now leading 122-112. With under two minutes the Pistons finally scored and needed some stops trailing 114-125. Detroit didn’t get those stops and LaVine refused to back down continuing to play monster ball finishing with 43 points in the 127-117 win. He topped off the fourth quarter with his final three at 1:29.

The Kings cut down on their turnovers in the second half but it was (Heater) LaVine who could not miss from beyond the arc that turned the tide. He was eight of 11 and continues to have monster games as this season runs out.

DeMar DeRozan also had a great games finishing with 37 points and the fourth quarter was the dynamic duo of LaVine and DeRozan that brought this game home for the Kings third win in a row. They had erased an 18 point deficit in the first half and as Zach LaVine said “this was a do or die game.”

Game notes: Monday evening the Kings played their last road game of the 2024-2025 season taking on the Pistons in Detroit. The Kings continue to be without Keegan Murray who was a game time decision. It was decided that he was not quite ready to get back in action. Keon Ellis who was struggling with a sore hand was deemed able to rejoin the team as a starter. Trey Lyles started in the place of Keegan Murray. After a having a monster game Sunday night beating the Cavaliers, the Kings kept up the momentum and confidence they had in the Cleveland game with their win over the Pistons.

The Kings will now head home to Sacramento to finish up the season with their three final games at Golden 1. First up for the Kings will be a matchup with the Denver Nuggets with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM Wednesday night. The goal now for the Kings will be to get that ninth seed and home court advantage a very real possibility.