Category: Sacramento Kings

It Was All Joker All Night As Nuggets Beat Kings 130-124

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Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) looks to pass the ball against the Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (left) and guard Tim Hardaway Jr who defend in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Mon Nov 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (2-5) hung around all night as they faced the Denver Nuggets (4-2). They got to within two points in the first half but were unable to take the lead for the entire game in the 130-124 loss.

Every starter for the Kings finished in double figures with Russell Westbrook finishing with the team high of 25. Denver’s Nikola Jokic had the game high of 34 points with 14 assists. Sacramento put up a good fight but was unable to contain Jokic and they were simply outplayed all night long. The Joker finished with 34 points and 14 rebounds. The Nuggets have now beat the Kings six straight times.

Monday night the Kings lost to the Nuggets finishing off a lengthy road trip and head back to Sacramento and their home court at Golden 1 Arena. After a great win over the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night, the Kings were happy to get their first road trip in the books.

It has been grueling and has resulted in a string of losses for the Kings. Monday night the Kings faced another tough opponent as they faced Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray and company. Not a three-point shooting team the Kings they tried to force the long shots and they faced the task of containing Jokic it was not an easy assignment.

Game recap: After the first12 minutes of play the Denver Nuggets had a 39-30 lead. The Kings got a bit of a handle on the game in the second quarter. With 4 1/2 minutes left in the first half the Kings trailed by two points 54-52.

This ray of hope was extinguished by the Nuggets pushing their lead back out to 12, 68-56 with just under two minutes left to play. As the clock ran out, each team had scored 33 points in the second quarter and Denver had taken a 72-63 lead into the locker room. Sacramento had played hard and matched the Nuggets for much of the quarter but were unable climb over the top.

Jokic finished the first half with 18 points, three rebounds and six assists. Gordon had 15 points and five rebounds. The Denver bench had a cumulative 18 points. Three starters for Sacramento had double digits.

Russell Westbrook finished with the half high of 16 points and five rebounds. Domantas Sabonis was flirting with a double double hitting 11 points and rebounds. DeMar DeRozan had 15 points and three rebounds.

Zach LaVine had a quiet first half and the team would need more from him in the second half. Sacramento had seven turnovers in the half. From the field the two teams were shooting at 50% but the Nuggets were having more success from beyond the arc.

Sacramento while not a three-point shooting team had 32 points in the paint to the Nuggets 24. The Kings were certainly able to keep pace with the Nuggets for much of the first half but had not been able to take the lead.

The third quarter did not get off to a great start for the Kings. Three plus minutes into the third quarter the Nuggets had extended their lead to 84-69. Minutes later the Kings had cut the Nugget’s 15 point lead to ten 84-74.

The Kings were getting stops but not turning those stops into points. Every time Sacramento made a move, the Nuggets had the answer maintaining a double digit lead throughout the quarter.

The Kings had been unable to contain Jokic who finished the quarter having shot for 25 points with 11 assists. After three quarters every player for Sacramento was in double digits with Russell Westbrook leading the way with 20 points eight rebounds and five assists. The high-scoring Nuggets led after three quarters 104-93.

Several minutes into the fourth quarter the Kings had cut the Nugget lead to six points 108-102. The Sacramento starters came back into the game early in the fourth quarter looking to cut the Denver six-point lead even further.

There was a lot of time left in this game and Denver was forced to put their starters back in early as well. Sacramento was hanging around but could not make a dent in the score as Jokic continued to soar and there was no stopping him. Denver won their fourth game of the season.

The Kings put up a fight but really struggled with trying to contain Jokic. Every starter for the Kings finished with double digits. Westbrook had a double double and the team high with 26 points and 12 rebounds.

Sabonis also had a double double with 13 points and 16 rebounds. They both played hard all night. DeRozan finished with 19 points and Dennis Schroeder with 18. LaVine had 15 points and off the bench Keon Ellis had a nice game with 15 points.

The Kings will now head home to Golden 1 Arena and get ready for another tough matchup with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍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 Barbara Mason: Kings tip off with Nuggets Monday night ending four game road trip

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Sacramento Kings DeMar DeRozan takes a shot against the Milwaukee Bucks Kyle Kuzma in the first half on Sat Nov 1, 2025 at Fiserv Arena in Milwaukee (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 With the Denver Nuggets having won their last five head-to-head matchups against Sacramento, what adjustments must the Kings make to turn the tide?

#2 How will Sacramento cope with key absences of Keegan Murray and Malik Monk, and can those gaps give Denver an edge?

#3 Given Denver’s potent offense but more modest defensive numbers, can Sacramento exploit their defense especially from three-point range to stay competitive?

#4 With the game taking place at Denver’s home venue, how much does home-court advantage matter in this pairing and how might it shift the dynamics?

#5 Which match-up or player duel could be decisive — for example, can Sacramento’s interior presence challenge the dominance of Nikola Jokić for Denver, or will Jokić control the game?

Join Barbara Mason for the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Monday 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. 

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey: Kings take on 3rd place Bucks at Fiserv Arena today

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Sacramento Kings forward/center Drew Eubanks (19) has the ball rebounded away from him by the Chicago Bulls forward/guard Isaac Okoro in the first half at the United Center in Chicago on Wed Oct 29, 2025. The Kings tip off against the Milwaukee Bucks Sat Nov 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 How will Zach LaVine’s scoring ability impact the Kings’ chance to challenge the Bucks’ defense?

#2 With DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis both in the frontcourt, can Sacramento win the rebound and interior-play battle against Milwaukee?

#3 Given that Keegan Murray is out of the line up against the Bucks today how will his absence impact the Kings?

#4 What role will Dennis Schröder play in orchestrating the offense, and how might his playmaking affect the Kings’ ability to generate quality shots?

#5 With the Kings looking to improve their road performance, how significant is it that they play at Milwaukee’s home court, and which Sacramento players will need to step up under that pressure?

Join Tony Harvey for the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Saturday 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. 

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings just couldn’t close Bulls out at United Center

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Former Chicago Bull and current Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan drives to the basket against the Bulls forward /center Jalen Smith (left) and guard/forward and former King Kevin Huerter at the United Center in Chicago on Wed Oct 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 How did Zach LaVine’s scoring and shot-selection impact Sacramento’s effort in the game?

#2 What difference did DeMar DeRozan make in the mid-range and veteran leadership roles, and was it enough to lift the team late?

#3 How did Domantas Sabonis perform on the glass and in facilitating the offense, and could his influence have been greater in the outcome?

#4 In light of the team’s injury list (for example, Keegan Murray being out with a thumb injury) what effect did his absence have on the Kings’ depth and rotation?

#5 Considering the Kings’ recurring difficulty in closing out games and defending late crunch-time possessions (as indicated in recent previews), how well did they manage the final minutes — and which Kings player(s) stepped up or struggled most in that stretch?

Jeremiah Salmonson does the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Thursday 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 Fall To Bulls Losing Third In a Row 126-113

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Chicago Bulls forward/guard Isaac Okoro (35) rebounds the basketball against the Sacramento Kings forward/center Drew Eubanks (19) in the first half at the United Center in Chicago on Wed Oct 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (1-4) lost their third game in a row to the Chicago Bulls (4-0) 126-113. This was the largest margin this season for the team.

They have been in every game they have played so far with the exception of tonight’s game and their season record could be far different. Once again Zach LaVine led the Kings in scoring with 30 points.

Game recap: The Bulls led after the opening quarter wound down 36-33. It was a tight hotly contested first quarter of play . The Kings took the lead in the second quarter, their largest lead 12 points.

The Bulls at one time in the half had also taken a 12 point lead. The score was 64-62 with the Kings leading in this high octane contest. In the later minutes of the second quarter the Kings had established double digit leads.

Leading by 12 points with three minutes left in the half the Kings let the Bull erase their lead to pull within two points as the clock expired. The Bulls had gone on a nice run to end the second quarter.

Domantas Sabonis and Zach Lavine had the high scores in the first half. Sabonis with 12 points and LaVine with 16. Malik Monk also had double figure off the bench with 11 points. The Bulls had two two starters in double digits, Matas Buzelis with 17 points and Josh Giddey with 12 points. Kevin Huerter finished the first half with ten points off the bench. The second half would no doubt boast some more high caliber play.

Most importantly for the Sacramento Kings in the second half would be consistent play. They had a great handle on ball protection in the first half with only five turnovers. They were perfect from the line and they had seven steals in the half. With consistent play in the second half they would be in a great place to finish this game and come away with a win.

The third quarter was horrible for the Kings with consistency going out the window and questionable defensive effort They dropped the lead and allowed the Bulls to take a 72-66 lead. In the first couple of minutes they missed four shots falling off offensively to open the third quarter.

They had a pretty good start but had cooled off significantly in this game. With a lot of time left in the second half there was ample time to turn things around for Sacramento. Every time the Kings made a little headway, the Bulls pushed their lead back out.

The Bulls were blowing right through the Sacramento defense throughout the third quarter. As the third quarter came to an end the Bulls continued to lead 101-91. Through three quarters the Bulls had out-rebounded the Kings 33 to 21. The young Bulls had outpaced the Kings in the third quarter and showed no signs of slowing down.

The Bulls continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter leading by 15 points 111-96 with nine minutes left in the game. So far this season the Kings had not figured out how to play four quarters struggling with inconsistent play.

The Bulls had hit 14 shots from downtown and were dominating offensively shooting 58 % from the field. The Kings had only hit seven three’s and began missing them late in the final quarter trying to make up the 120-108 deficit. It was a losing battle as the Kings could not match Chicago offensively.

The Kings lost their third game in a row after leading at the half. Their season record could look very different. They have been in every game with the exception of Wednesday night’s game. They had the Thunder on the ropes until the final three minutes of play.

They lost to the Suns by four points and played a close game with the Lakers. They have a core of veteran players starting and they are so close to cleaning things up. Wednesdaty night they only had ten turnovers a vast improvement. They have struggled defensively and have just not been consistent.

Once again Zach LaVine led the team in points with 30. DeMar DeRozan finished with 19 points and five rebounds and Domantas Sabonis had a double double with 11 rebounds and 18 points. Malik Monk had 15 points off the bench.

Game notes: After losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night in the final three minutes of play, the Kings traveled to Chicago for a matchup with the Bulls at United Center.

Despite the loss, the Kings played a great first half of basketball, did enough in the third quarter to win and led going into the final three minutes of the game. Sacramento was unable to finish the game falling short at the end.

They had a super solid starting lineup in that game and went with the same lineup in Wednesday night’s game. This is a fully competent bunch consisting of veterans Zach Lavine, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroeder and Russell Westbrook; a group capable of getting the job done. The Kings also have Malik Monk and Keon Ellis off the bench. Both of them can really go off offensively.

This current road trip continues on Saturday as the Kings meet another contender the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 2:00 PM PT.

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. 

Thunder Rally In Fourth Quarter to Beat the Kings 107-101

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) runs up the floor as the Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (left) prepares to inbound the ball in the first half at Pay Com Arena in Oklahoma City on Tue Oct 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (1-3) led through three plus quarters but a late fourth quarter burst by the Oklahoma City Thunder (5-0) resulted in their fifth straight win of the season 107-101 Tuesday night.

The Kings had every opportunity to win this game but came up short in the final three minutes of the game. Sacramento missed too many shots down the stretch and the 17 turnovers did them no favors. Zach LaVine had the team high for the Kings with 23 points.

Game recap: The opening quarter could not have gone better for the Kings. They were able to match the Thunder shot for shot, in fact as the quarter ended, the Kings were shooting 57% and led 29-24.

It was the perfect start for Sacramento. The challenge would be to be able to keep the pace they started out with and of course contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company. It is a huge ask; this is a formidable team that excel offensively and defensively. They may fall short in any one quarter but they can also turn a game around on a dime

The Kings continued to hold the lead in the second quarter and with four minutes left in the half had a 51-44 lead. As halftime drew close the Kings closed out the first half leading 62-58. The Kings had three players in double figures with Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine each shooting for 11 points.

Keon Ellis had nine points off the bench so far in the game. Both teams were shooting at 100% from the line a vast improvement for the Kings over their last game. Each team had seven steals and the largest lead of the game was a ten point lead for Sacramento. The Thunder had briefly taken a four-point lead in the half which was quickly erased by the Kings.

The second half battle got underway as the Kings fought to retain the lead. A hasty time-out was called by the Kings when the Thunder pulled to within one point 70-69. Missed shots and turnovers were taking their toll on Sacramento as the Thunder threatened to take the lead.

The Kings had taken their foot off the pedal and let Oklahoma City back in the game. The Thunder did take the lead briefly but Sacramento answered taking a 79-71 lead with under five minutes left in the third.

The Thunder had played from behind for most of the night. After building a ten-point lead the Kings starting missing a lot of shots allowing the Thunder to creep back in the game. They had gone on a 9-2 run and they had stuffed the Kings offense only allowing them to shoot at 38%. The Kings had taken a nosedive from their offense in the opening quarter. Going into the fourth quarter the Kings were clinging onto a 83-80 lead.

Sacramento had to reel their offensive effort in if they had any chance against the Thunder. They were no longer matching the Thunder shot for shot and despite hanging onto the lead, the Thunder continued to hang around pulling to within one point 89-88.

The Sacramento offense had stalled resulting in too many misses and focus waned down the stretch with under seven minutes left in the game. With just over three minutes left on the clock, the Kings had a one-point lead 97-96 and Sacramento took another time-out.

Their promising start was in jeopardy. The Kings continued to miss shots while the Thunder were cashing in taking a 101-97 lead with 1:23 left in the game. The final was 107-101 as the Thunder rallied in the fourth quarter for the win. The Sacramento Kings were unable to finish the game something they have been struggling with this season.

The Kings came up on the short end in this game. They had every opportunity to hand the Thunder their first loss of the season but they failed offensively in the final three minutes of the game letting the Thunder back in.

You give the Thunder an inch and they will hurt you every time and this game was no exception. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had the high for the game with 31 points. The high for the Kings was Zach LaVine with 23 points.

DeMar DeRozan finished with 19 points, Russell Westbrook with 18 and center Domantas Sabonis had a double double 18 rebounds and 10 points. The missed shots down the stretch was the turning point in this game. The Kings played hard and did have a great game despite the loss. The Thunder just handled the clutch situation in the final minutes a whole lot better than the Kings did.

Game notes: The Kings have had a bit of a rocky start to the season hampered by injury and illness. They started out their road trip taking on the some of the best teams in the NBA in a very challenging string of four games that began with a loss in Oklahoma City after taking on the unbeaten world champion Thunder (5-0).

The Sacramento starting lineup featured Russell Westbrook who came off the bench to play alongside Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroeder and Zach LaVine. The Thunder have a slew of players on the injured list and the Kings are still without Keegan Murray and also Nique Clifford.

The Kings were looking to hand the Thunder their first loss in the young season but the Thunder stayed ahead of the Kings for the win. This road trip will challenge the Kings to their core and they will need to stay focused and disciplined as they fight their way through these early season obstacles.

They will have their work cut out for them but the Kings have a bunch of seasoned veterans that make up their starting roster. The Thunder were able to stay ahead of Sacramento,

Next up for the Kings will be the Chicago Bulls as they jet up north for their next game. If they can take the same level of play that they played with Tuesday night into this game they have a great opportunity to succeed. The Bulls are also undefeated right now. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍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 Barbara Mason: Tough loss for Kings on home floor to Lakers 127-120

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) gets hit with a foul while driving to the hoop against the Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) in first half action at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Oct 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 How did the Kings Domantas Sabonis impact the game in terms of rebounding and inside scoring, and did the Kings get enough production from him down the stretch?

#2 With the Kings Zach LaVine listed as questionable due to illness, did he play and how did his level of play affect the Kings’ offensive rhythm?

#3 How effective was the Kings Russell Westbrook in his role — did he provide the veteran leadership and playmaking the Kings hoped for?

#4 Did the Kings get a meaningful contribution from DeMar DeRozan, and how did his performance compare to expectations in this game?

#5 Given the Kings allowed 127 points, what defensive breakdowns or weak matchups stood out, and which Kings player(s) were primarily responsible for trying (but perhaps failing) to stop the Lakers’ attack?

Sacramento Kings podcasts with Barbara Mason are heard Mondays 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 Fall to Lakers 127–120 as Officiating and Free Throw Disparity Steal the Spotlight

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Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after the Lakers made a basket against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 26, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — As the NBA reels from the worst gambling scandal since 2007, the Los Angeles Lakers came into Golden 1 Center and shot 46 free throws in a game where the Kings attempted only 18. That was the story of the night as the Kings lost to the Lakers 127-120 on Sunday night in Sacramento.

In the first quarter, the Lakers, without LeBron James or Luka Dončić, outscored the Kings 36-27 to take an early lead. The Kings’ defense wasn’t doing a sufficient job keeping the Lakers out of the paint, as 18 of their 36 points came there. The Kings’ bench was a nonfactor offensively in the first quarter, failing to score a single point. Zach LaVine, as he did in Friday’s win over the Jazz, got off to a red-hot start, scoring 11 points in the opening period. The Kings shot 47% from the field compared to the Lakers’ 63%.

In the second quarter, led by Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan, the Kings got back into the game before halftime. Westbrook and DeRozan combined for 22 points in the quarter to tie the game 62-62 heading into the break. The Kings’ defense picked up in the second quarter, holding the Lakers to 26 points while scoring 35 of their own. Sacramento shot 47% in the first half compared to Los Angeles’ 52%—a significant decline from the Lakers’ first-quarter percentage, which showed the Kings were beginning to settle in defensively.

In the third quarter, Austin Reaves torched the Kings and led the Lakers to outscore Sacramento 33-28, giving Los Angeles a 95-90 advantage entering the fourth. It was at this point in the game that the free throw discrepancy—39 to 11 in favor of the Lakers, became particularly glaring. While not all of the fouls seemed legitimate, as evidenced by Doug Christie’s two successful challenges, the Kings weren’t playing disciplined defense and were reaching. Still, that much of a difference didn’t sit well with the Kings.

In the fourth quarter, the Lakers continued to attack the Kings on the offensive end and control the paint. Sacramento trailed 117-109 with 3:40 to play as Austin Reaves stayed red hot in the second half. From that point on, the Kings outscored the Lakers 11-10 in the closing minutes, but it wasn’t nearly enough as they fell 127-120 at Golden 1 Center.

Austin Reaves finished with an incredible 51 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in a career night without Luka and LeBron in the lineup. On the Kings’ side, Zach LaVine scored 32 points and has now posted 30 or more in every game this season. He joins Jack Twyman (1959-60), Oscar Robertson (1961-62, 1965-66), and Tiny Archibald (1972-73) as the only Kings to score 30 points in the first three games of a season.

Speaking on LaVine’s start to the season, Doug Christie was highly complimentary of his defensive effort.

“Zach is playing at a really, really high level. I mean, I’m not even really concerned with the points. He’s competing on the defensive end, which is mad love. The defensive commitment that he continues to show is to be commended.”

As it related to the game overall, Christie was visibly distraught afterward when discussing the officiating.

“Forty-six, you said?” Christie responded after James Ham pointed out the free throw discrepancy. “I mean, we got to play defense without fouling, obviously, but there are two teams on the floor, so it’s wild. It’s wild. It’s wild.”

DeMar DeRozan echoed a similar sentiment, appearing in disbelief as he confirmed that Austin Reaves shot 22 free throws.

“Forty-six free throws was crazy to our 18, I don’t know,” DeRozan said after the game. “I got to go back and look, but like I said, 46 free throws is crazy. It’s crazy.”

Crazy or not, the Kings have yet to show a consistent ability to play high-level defense. Defense and fight remain the mantra Doug Christie has tried to instill in this group, but it hasn’t taken root yet, and the frustration is starting to show within the locker room.

Up Next

The Kings will head out on the road for a four-game trip. Their first stop will be in Oklahoma City on Tuesday as they take on the Thunder at 5 p.m. PST. The Kings will return home to host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, November 5. 

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 host Lakers Sunday; Barage of LeBron questions regarding gambling connection; LeBron on injured list for 3-4 weeks

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LeBron James (left) seated next to Bronny James (center) and forward Rui Hachimura (right) as the Los Angeles Lakers battle the Golden State Warriors on Tue Oct 21, 2025 at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 The Los Angeles Lakers are coming to Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sunday night. LeBron James will be scratched out of the line up as he is reportedly suffering from a sciatic nerve on his right side and will be out of commission for three to four weeks.

#2 There has been talk that the LeBron had been allegedly named in connection with the NBA gambling scandal as his injury reports were being sold that gave gamblers an inside track to betting Lakers games.

#3 In the indictment, a key individual is Damon Jones (former NBA player, former unofficial Lakers helper) who is accused of passing along non-public information about player injuries/availability to bettors.

#4 Back to the Sacramento Kings they’re coming off a 105-104 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night. Zach LaVine led with 31 points. LaVine should be key for the Kings in scoring for this season.

#5 Kings host the Lakers Sunday, LeBron is out of the lineup does that give the Kings a leg up also with the home floor advantage?

Sacramento Kings podcasts are heard Saturdays with Tony Harvey 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. 

Dennis Schröder’s Late Stop Seals Kings’ 105–104 Win Over Jazz in Golden 1 Center Opener

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Dennis Schröder #17, Zach Lavine #8 and Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings react after they beat the Utah Jazz at Golden 1 Center on October 24, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings opened their 2025-2026 home schedule on Friday night in a game against the Utah Jazz. The Kings, who lost their opening game of the season on Wednesday in Phoenix 120-116, bounced back in front of their home crowd defeating the Jazz 105-104.

In the first quarter, the difference really came down to shooting. The Kings outscored the Jazz 31-24 and shot 55% from the floor compared to just 39% for Utah. Zach LaVine led the charge on offense, scoring 15 points in the quarter to give Sacramento the early advantage.

“I always feel comfortable scoring,” LaVine said after the game. “That’s never been a problem. I felt really good last year. That was one of my best years last year. Just keep it rolling, keep focusing on my work…”

In the second quarter, the Kings again benefited from the lackluster shooting of the Jazz, who connected on just 39% of their shots. However, Sacramento failed to pull away as they shot only 32% from the field themselves. The Jazz outscored the Kings 22-18, and the Kings led 49-46 heading into halftime. Dennis Schröder and LaVine led the Kings in the first half with 11 and 15 points, respectively.

In the third quarter, the Kings again couldn’t extend their lead on the Jazz as both teams found their offensive rhythm. Sacramento was outscored 30-29 in the period as Utah pulled a bit closer, trailing 78-76 heading into the final quarter. LaVine added nine more points in the third to bring his total to 24 through three quarters.

In the fourth, the Kings held on despite being outscored 28-27, managing to retain their one-point advantage and beat the Jazz 105-104 thanks to a big game-ending defensive stop by Schröder.

Head coach Doug Christie was impressed with the last play of the game by Schröder and how it represented the kind of effort that will lead to success for the team.

“…If you guys watch, this team scored 130 points versus a really good defensive Clippers team,” Christie said after the game. “For us to come in and hold them to three 20-point quarters and only one 30-point quarter just signifies that it is possible—you can do it now. The consistency with which you approach that is going to be the most important piece to the puzzle.”

The Kings lost a number of traditionally important battles on Friday night. They were outscored in the paint (48-36), had fewer points off turnovers (21-15), fewer fast-break points (15-6), and fewer second-chance points (12-9). Still, the Kings managed to pull off the win. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win—and that’s something Christie expects his team to do: win ugly games.

“I think one of the signs of a good team, and a team that is starting to come together, is that you win ugly as well. It’s not always going to be pretty. You win ugly. This one tonight, though, this was a team win.”

A team win it was, indeed. LaVine led the Kings with 31 points on 55% shooting in the victory, while Domantas Sabonis recorded a double-double in his first game of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Malik Monk added 20 points, and Schröder contributed 17 points and five rebounds.

It was a big win for the Kings’ new group as they continue to implement new systems early in the season.

Russell Westbrook spoke after the game about the whirlwind of getting acclimated to a new team and atmosphere while working through the growing pains with a new group.

“You know what, it’s funny—I was just talking, telling my wife that, I mean, just last, what was it? What’s today, Friday? Saturday [last week], I was at home chilling, hanging out. I hadn’t played five-on-five in, I don’t know, since last year. So it’s my second five-on-five game. I’ll be fine. I’m in shape. The rhythm and all that stuff will come, but I’m not really worried about it at all, to be honest.”

It wasn’t pretty, but it marked the Kings’ first home-opening win since the Golden 1 Center opened in 2016.

Up Next

The Kings will stay home to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at 6 p.m. PST at 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.