Category: Sacramento Kings

Kings Fall Short In Loss To Clippers 111-109; George lead LA with 40 pts

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The Los Angeles Clippers Paul George (13) drives on the Sacramento Kings KZ Okpala (40) at Golden One Arena in Sacramento on Sat Oct 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Fall Short In Loss To Clippers 111-109

By Barbara Mason

After sailing through the pre-season the Sacramento Kings (0-2) have stumbled in the early regular season falling to Portland Wednesday night 115-108. Saturday night the Kings took on the Los Angeles Clippers (2-0) who look to be a legitimate contender this season. The Kings ended up dropping their second straight game in a row 111-109 to the Clippers at Golden One Arena in Sacramento. There is so much Clipper talent but as the Kings have seen season after season injuries has so much to do with any team’s success.

The Kings led through much of the first quarter but with 4:45 left in the quarter the Clippers took their first lead of the game. Los Angeles led 29-26 after the first 12 minutes of play.

The Kings outscored the Clippers in the second quarter 29-23. The Kings led at halftime 55-52 with a much improved defensive and offensive effort over Wednesday night. They had four turnovers in the half and were shooting right around 43%. As expected the Kings had their hands full defending Paul George who finished the first two quarters with 19 points, the only Clipper in double digits.

The Kings De’Aaron Fox had 15 points at the half and off the bench Keegan Murray had 10 points.

The Kings had two turnovers in the opening minutes of the third quarter allowing the Clippers to take the lead 60-58 with a long ways to go in this game. Paul George had begun to take over this game with 26 points.

The Kings were struggling from the free throw line shooting around 50%. With three minutes left in the quarter the Clippers had taken a six point lead 79-73, their largest of the game.

After three quarters, the Clippers led 86-80. Los Angeles had outscored the Kings in the quarter 34-25. Missed shots from the line were hurting Sacramento leaving ten points on the board, something that does not want to become a trend this season for Sacramento.

After an unfortunate questionable foul on the Kings the Clippers Reggie Jackson sank three free throws giving the Kings a 89-83 lead. Los Angeles got really fired up taking a ten-point lead and the Kings were simply fading away unable to slow down the Clippers.

With four minutes left in the game the officials took what seemed like an eternity to determine a Mike Brown challenge which was successful. The Kings desperately needed stops if they wanted to make any kind of a move in the final minutes. The Kings were able to get some stops but the offensive effort fell just short.

There were some great moments in this game for the Kings but there were a lot of things to clean up as well. Suffice to say this team has a lot of promise as this season gets underway. De’Aaron Fox had back-to- back 33 plus point games. They also had some great defensive moments. Off the bench Keegan Murray was amazing with 19 points.

The Kings will be back in action Sunday night against a formidable opponent, the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Tipoff is at 5:30.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Not the way the Kings wanted to open the season

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First quarter action Portland Trailblazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) takes a shot over the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes (40) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento Wed Oct 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings who dropped their first game of 2022-23 to the Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday night at Golden One in Sacramento the Blazers Jerami Grant hit a three point with 50.4 seconds left in the game and Portland never looked back.

#2 Jeremiah, the loss spoiled Kings head coach Mike Brown’s debut 113-108 lots of planning went into this game and Brown really wanted to get a victory in his first Kings game and hopes Wednesday’s loss won’t set the tone.

#3 Grant led the Blazers with 23 points and he was followed Anfernee Simons added 22. Blazers star Damian Lillard scored 20 on his first game back since January from having an abdominal injury.

#4 The Kings had hired Brown with the hopes of ending their 16 year playoff drought. Brown is the second former assistant coach from the Golden State Warriors to become head coach with Luke Walton previously. Can Brown pull it off?

#5 The Los Angeles Clippers tip off with the Kings at Golden One this Sat Oct 22. The Clippers lost their first two games and the Kings are looking to win their first game of the season how do you see this match up with the Clippers and Kings.

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

Last Two Minute Retort: Blazers surge late, beat Kings 115-108 on opening night

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–The Kings came out flying, recovered at half, and appeared ready to close late when De’Aaron Fox forced Damian Lillard into a bad pass with the Kings leading 106-105 with 1:55 remaining.

Then disaster struck.

Consecutive turnovers by Fox and Domantas Sabonis, followed by Jerami Grant’s basket and ensuing, made free throw ceded momentum to the Blazers in their 115-108 win at Golden 1 Center.

In losing the Kings failed to retain the enthusiasm of a new season, a new coach and renewed hopes to end their playoff drought dating back to 2006. That left an unsatisfied coach Mike Brown.

“I know this group should play a lot better on both ends of the floor,” Brown said. “I know this group can play a whole heck of a lot better on both ends of the floor.”

Individually, the Kings were superior. Fox led the Kings with 33 points, and Kevin Huerter delivered 23 in his Sacramento debut. The starting guards combined for 11 made 3-pointers.

But the visitors countered with six, double-figure scorers that masked an off-night for Lillard, who missed 13 of his 18 shots. Defensively, the Blazers quickly adopted a different approach after Huerter and Fox came out hot.

“Going small and switching everything hurt their rhythm,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “But I thought most of the night we did a pretty fair job defensively. They put a lot of pressure on you.”

“To win on the road you’ve got to be willing to deal with some storms, some adversity,” Lillard said.

The Kings trailed 39-26 midway through the second quarter when a closing kick gave them a 55-51 lead at halftime. Terence Davis had eight of his 14 points in the spurt including an off-balance 3-pointer with 55 seconds remaining.

Grant led the Blazers with 23 points, Anfernee Simon’s added 22 and Lillard had 20.

Sabonis carried the Kings in the paint, with 13 points, five assists and four rebounds in 33 minutes on the floor.

The Kings host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday at 7:05pm.

OPENING NIGHT: Bill Russell was honored in the pre-game ceremonies with a video tribute. Russell coached the Kings for the first 58 games in the 1987-88 season. Home run king Barry Bonds, Metta Sandiford-Artest and Brad Miller were among the team’s honored guests.

Rookie Keegan Murray was held out for precautionary reasons following his absence due to COVID protocols.

Kings Wallop Lakers For a Second Time 133-86

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Sacramento Kings Davion Mitchell (15) and De’Aaron Fox (5) share a high five as the Kings remain undefeated in pre season defeating the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden One Center in Sacramento (@SacramentoKings photo)

Kings Wallop Lakers For a Second Time 133-86

By Barbara Mason

Friday night, the Sacramento Kings (4-0) took on the Los Angeles Lakers (1-5) for the second time in this pre-season and picked up their second straight in pre season over the Lakers 133-86. In their first meeting Mon Oct 3, the Kings beat the Lakers soundly 105-75.

Sacramento repeated the task of defeating the Lakers in Friday’s game. While this is only the pre-season what we have seen from the Kings so far has been very encouraging in regards to the upcoming regular season.

Friday game recap: The Kings got off to a quick start and led at the end of the first quarter 36-23. The Lakers took the court without Anthony Davis who was out with a low back issue. Both teams were hoping to treat the final games of the pre-season as a sort of rehearsal to the start of the regular season. The loss of Davis made this much tougher for Los Angeles.

At the half the Kings had a healthy lead over the Lakers. They had nearly doubled their lead after the first quarter taking a 65-44 lead into the locker room. De’Aaron Fox had 14 points in the half playing 14 minutes. LeBron James had 11 points in the first half. Russell Westbrook missed the second quarter limping off the court with a hamstring injury near the end of the first quarter.

The Kings continued to extend their lead, ahead 95-62 after three quarters and Sacramento was well on their way to an undefeated pre-season.

The Kings came away in a blow-out. De’Aaron Fox finished with 19 points and the high for the Lakers was LeBron James with 12 points.

As the regular season kicks off, the Kings will take on the Portland Trailblazers at Golden 1 Center on Wed Oct 19th. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Lakers without AD tonight; Kings pushing post season for 2022-23

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Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown addresses the media Thu Oct 6, 2022 during the Kings training camp at Golden One Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)

On Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, the Los Angeles Lakers come calling tonight at Golden One Center in Sacramento tonight but without one of their top stars Anthony Davis who is suffering from a lower back soreness.

#2 Davis said he didn’t have any soreness after Wednesday’s game but over the last two days and the Lakers medical staff decided that it would be best that Davis stay back in LA.

#3 Last pre season game tonight Jeremiah and Kings head coach Mike Brown is hoping that he can get the Kings into the post season for the first time in 16 years which is the longest period without a playoff appearance in NBA history.

#4 One of the things that coach Brown is looking for is the cohesiveness saying that he likes the spirit and energy that he feels from the players. The Kings have shown some success in pre season games.

#5 Kings general manager Monte McNair said “We are going to need guys across the roster to step up, but we think we have the pieces here.”

Join Jeremiah for Kings podcasts Friday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings win third exhibition contest, edging Suns 105-104

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Sacramento Kings Guard Terrence Davis (3) drives the ball to the hoop against the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Wed Oct 12, 2022 (@SacramentoKings photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Sacramento held off a late Phoenix rally to defeat the Suns 105-104 Wednesday in NBA exhibition play at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix.

Sam Merrill sank a 25-foot 3-pointer from the left wing on an assist from Keon Ellis with 1:53 remaining in the fourth quarter, putting the Kings up 105-98.

After Merrill missed another three with 1:19 left, the Suns responded with a three-pointer Ish Wainright. An offensive foul on Neemias Queta turned the ball over to Phoenix with 36.7 seconds to play. Phoenix used a full time out, and 6.7 seconds later, Timothè Luwawu-Cabarrot made a 26-foot three-pointer, closing the Suns’ deficit to 105-104.

The Suns had another chance to take a lead when Duane Washington Jr. stole the ball from Quinn Cook with 7.7 seconds left. Washington missed a 14-foot jumper along the right baseline as time expired.

De’Aaron Fox was the top scorer for Sacramento with 15 points, followed by Kevin Huerter with 13, Harrison Barnes and Terence Davis with 12 points each and Cook with ten. Domantas Sabonis added nine points and ten rebounds for the Kings.

Washington, a free agent from Ohio State who spent last season with the Indiana Pacers, scored a game-high 31 points to lead the Suns. Also for Phoenix, Jock Landale had 17 points and eight rebounds, and Bismack Biyombo contributed 12 points and 12 boards.

None of the Suns’ projected starters played in the game. The Kings used 15 players.

The Kings are undefeated in three games and wrap up their exhibition slate when they return home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Phoenix finished its exhibition schedule at 1-2.

Blazers lack of defense as Kings Sabonis leads in scoring in Sac’s 126-94 pre season win

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Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) is one on one with the Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lilliard (0) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Oct 9, 2022 (@ SacramentoKings photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–Game two of the preseason was set with the Kings coming home to take on the Portland Trail Blazers. The Kings first game of the preseason was Friday when they took on the Los Angeles Lakers. The Kings were set to take on the Trail Blazers Sunday at 6 PM PST. On Sunday, the Kings destroyed the Trail Blazers 126-94.

In the first quarter, the Kings came out firing. The Kings led by Domantas Sabonis scored 31 points in the first quarter. Sabonis had nine points followed by De’AaronFox and Kevin Huerter who each had six points. For the Trail Blazers, they only managed 19 points in the first against the Kings defense. Anfernee Simons scored six points for Portland in the first quarter.

The second quarter didn’t go much better for the Trail Blazers. In fact, the deficit grew larger. The Kings outscored the Blazers 39-34 in the second quarter to grow the lead even larger. The Kings would lead the Blazers 70-53 going into halftime.

Keegan Murray exploded for the Kings in the second quarter by scoring 12 points. Overall, the Kings offense was. Firing on all cylinders on Sunday night.

In the third quarter, it was more of the same. The Kings have looked great all preseason and that was on full display in the third. The Kings extended their lead over the Trail Blazers to 98-77 by outscoring them 28-24 in the third quarter.

The Kings, under Mike Brown, didn’t let up and fold like so many games in previous seasons under other coaching. It was a refreshing sight for Kings fans. Could they hold on in the fourth and final quarter?

In the fourth quarter, the Kings wrapped up the blowout. There was nothing Portland could do to contain the Kings as they ran away with victory. The Kings out scored the Trail Blazers 28-17 in the fourth quarter to come away with the victory 126-94.

It was indeed a blowout for the Kings who have looked really solid in summer league. Jerami Grant led the way for the Trail Blazers scored 17 points in the contest. Keegan Murray led the Kings with 16 points of his own. It was a great team win for the Kings where everyone got involved.

Up Next: The Kings will travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns on Wednesday at 7 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings look to pick up second win host Blazers Sunday at Golden One

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Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (left) reaches out to head coach Mike Brown (right) during practice session. The Kings host the Portland Trailblazers at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Oct 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah the Sacramento Kings (1-0) played against the Los Angeles Lakers to open the pre season at Crypto.com in the Southland and got off to a victory with a 105-75 win it just seemed like the Kings held the Lakers back on defense and were able to covert their shots on offense last Monday night?

#2 De’Aaron Fox is one of the Kings weapons on offense who can deliver night in and night out just like he did last season shooting for ten points tie for second in scoring pulling down four rebounds and getting an assist.

#3 The Kings might look forward to Keegan Murray with 16 points, six rebounds and one assist he played big last Monday for the Kings in the win. Great ball distribution taking his shots wisely and ended up leading the Kings in scoring.

#4 Richaun Holmes never one to shy off the shot he’s been key of the Kings even last season in some crucial moments when he was needed to hit some timely shots. Monday was no different has he hit ten points, five rebounds and an assist. Holmes can really fit into the scheme of things with this offense this year.

#5 The Kings match up for their next game against the Portland Trailblazers (0-2) I know you’ll be on hand mic side and for the written word for the final game recap for this thriller. The Blazers have dropped their first two pre season games to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Utah Jazz they play their first pre season road game with the Kings Jeremiah tell us how you see the Kings countering the Blazers this Sunday night at Golden One?

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

NBA Draft podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors looking to develop Baldwin; Kings say Murray can help Mitchell and Fox

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Milwaukee University’s Patrick Baldwin Jr is expected to be a big help for the Golden State Warriors who plan to take their time developing Baldwin (AP News file photo)

On the NBA Draft podcast with David Zizmor:

Golden State Warriors picked center Patrick Baldwin Jr out of Milwaukee who they can develop and take their time brining him up as they’re in a good position to do so. Baldwin comes up from the first round a 28th pick.

Baldwin according to scouting reports could be an elite NBA player at 6’10 he can shoot and handle the ball and play just as good as any guard coming out of the college ranks. Their is a concern about him staying healthy.

Baldwin played in only 11 college games this past season due to an ankle injury can he mesh that and get in more playing time. The Warriors medical staff are good with ankle injuries as they had time to work on Stephen Curry’s ankle a time or two.

Sacramento Kings picked Keegan Murray out of Iowa University a small forward drafted out of the first round as a four pick. Murray has a workout with the Kings prior to the selection and it just so worked out that Murray is now on board with the team.

The Kings say they are looking forward to seeing how Murray works with Davion Mitchell and D’Aaron Fox. They say that Murray will be a big help switching at the post and diversifying in the front court.

David Zizmor is an NBA analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Will Brown be the answer for Kings improvements? How physical will the rest of the Warriors-Grizzlies series get?

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Sacramento Kings newly hired head coach Mike Brown shown here as an assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors against the Portland Trailblazers on Nov 4, 2021 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP file photo)

On the Sac Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony, the Sacramento Kings who just recently hired former Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown how skeptical are you about Brown or any coach coming in and trying to improve this team?

#2 Tony, will coach Brown and Kings General Manager Monte McNair be able to rework the foundation of this basketball team and be able to remake and redo the roster.

#3 One other thing are the Kings willing to spend money to bring in some front line talent that would almost assuredly give the Kings a chance at making the playoffs?

#4 Tony, Dillon Brooks said at the Memphis Grizzlies practice today that he didn’t intend to hurt the Golden State Warriors Gary Payton II and that if he could he would take back the flagrant 2 foul he would.

#5 Tony let me ask you a question we got to ask Barbara Mason on this morning’s Warrior podcast after the Warriors Draymond Green pulled down on the jersey of the Grizzlies Brandon Clark in game 1 for a flagrant 2 foul the jury said it was not Green’s intent to hurt Clark going forward though this series since then has turned into a physical series of flagrant 2 fouls.

Listen to Tony R for Headline Sports each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com