Category: Sacramento Kings

Dynamic Davion: Mitchell leads Kings’ comeback in 115-108 win over the Hornets

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By Morris Phillips

Apparently Coach Mike Brown knows what he has in Davion Mitchell.

The NCAA champion from Baylor hadn’t scored in double figures in any game this season, and hadn’t seen more than 16 minutes of floor time in any of last four games.

That all changed Monday night in Charlotte.

Mitchell started fast and came up big down the stretch in the Kings’ 115-108 come-from-behind win over the Hornets.

“He brings an understanding of what his role is and embraces his role,” Brown said of Mitchell. “He’s a guy that I know anytime we call his number he is going to be ready to play.”

In reality, Mitchell may embrace his role, but it’s not quite clear what exactly that role is seven games into the new season. The 6’0″ guard wasn’t particularly effective in the season-opening loss to the Blazers and he was summarily dismissed. Not his fault, but when a team’s top two scorers are starting in front of you, and playing for a new coach, your floor time can get bypassed.

But Mitchell’s hard to miss: he finished his rookie season by scoring in double figures 14 times in the season’s final 16 games, and he made at least nine field goals in six of those 16 games. He’s a presence.

On Monday, Mitchell was front and center.

The Kings started their road trip with an ineffective first quarter as they fell behind 34-24 with the five starters combining to miss 11 of their first 14 shots.

The second quarter wasn’t much better as the Kings fell behind by 15, and De’Aaron Fox was lost for the evening after he bumped knees with another player and was removed for precautionary reasons. The Hornets shot 60 percent from the field in the opening half and appeared to be locked in as a follow up to their impressive, overtime win over the Warriors on Saturday.

The Kings seized momentum and the lead in the third as Kevin Huerter scored 12 of his team-high 26 points. Matthew Dellavedova hit a three that gave the Kings their first lead, 79-77 with 3:43 remaining, and that set the stage for the visitors’ big push in the fourth.

Mitchell hit his first three shots of the game in the first quarter to keep the Kings attached. In the fourth, Mitchell had a pair of big baskets late to help the Kings maintain a small lead they wouldn’t relinquish. He finished with 23 points on 9 of 11 shooting, and in Fox’s absence, he and Huerter combined to make 10 threes.

“We are a team that don’t quit,” Mitchell said. “We try to play 48 minutes.”

P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 28 points as one of six double-figure scorers for the hosts. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 16 points, and Dennis Smith Jr. added 15.

The Hornets were without LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and Cody Martin, all due to injuries. The Hornets committed 31 fouls which lead to an impressive 24 of 28 night at the foul line for the Kings.

“We turn the ball over 21 times and foul like that, we’re not gong to win,” coach Steve Clifford said. “Every drive, we fouled.”

The Kings have a pair of wins after starting the season 0-4. They visit Miami on Wednesday in an immediate rematch of their home win over the Heat on Saturday.

Overcoming The Heat: Kings survive anxious moments to capture first win, 119-113 over Miami

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Jimmy Butler’s dunk and ensuing free throw with 6:15 remaining had Kings’ fans feeling creepy, and not in a festive, Halloween type of a way.

More like a take off your costume and head home feeling, Golden 1 Center grew tense and weary with the Kings clinging to a 101-100 advantage after leading by 22 points at the half.

Nightmare on L Street? Could have been had not Kevin Huerter and rookie Keegan Murray stepped up with some big baskets to cool the Heat.

The pair combined for 11 of Sacramento’s final 18 points and the Kings reversed their fortunes in a 119-113 win on Saturday afternoon.

“They came in with desperation,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra of the Kings. “They wanted to get that first win.”

Coach Mike Brown exhaled the deepest. His high-energy coaching, seven years experience as an NBA head coach, and four NBA titles as an assistant weren’t going to wear well in an 0-5 start to his tenure in Sacramento. Instead, he was afforded a business-as-usual approach afterwards.

“Doesn’t matter when it comes,” Brown said of his initial win. “Hopefully we can have some carryover going on this road trip.”

The Kings held a lead in the final two minutes on opening night against Portland and couldn’t hold it. A two-point loss to the Clippers and a five-point loss to the Warriors weren’t any easier to digest. Their most recent loss to Memphis brought grumblings that a team thought to be the NBA’s most improved might not be improved at all.

With a win, they have their confidence reinforced.

“It’s big to get the first one,” Huerter said. “Any time you start a year, you get your first win, it’s kind of a big relief. We’ve worked hard, as hard as any other team in training camp. It’s been a long road up to this point. The first four games of the season, we felt like we had opportunities to win. We just couldn’t close the deal.”

The Kings shot 59 percent from the floor in the first quarter and upped that to 63 percent at the half as the Heat’s defense was uncharacteristically absent. That created a 71-49 at halftime that got dismantled in the third.

Domantas Sabonis put up all 18 of his points before halftime, and two quick fouls to start the third quarter. The Kings center fouled out with the game in the balance and less than six minutes remaining in the fourth. But Richaun Holmes came on for Sabonis, and the Kings steadied. That’s when the Heat appeared to run out of gas, a residual effect of their first half struggles.

“We didn’t match that intensity in the first half,” Kyle Lowry said. “They dominated the paint in the first half. We didn’t get back well enough early in the game. They were pushing every time we scored. You could hear their coach saying, Go! Go! Go!”

Huerter led the Kings with 27 points, Murray added 22, and De’Aaron Fox came up gritty with 17 points, 13 rebounds.

The Kings are in Charlotte on Monday to face the Hornets, kicking off a four-game road trip.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Grizzlies score 31 points in 3 quarters each conquer Kings 125-110

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts after a foul call in the first quarter but things were looking up for the Grizzlies defeating the Sacramento Kings at Golden One in Sacramento on Thu Oct 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, The Memphis Grizzlies opened up some offense on the Sacramento Kings scoring 31 points in each of the second, third, and fourth quarters.

#2 Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 31 points and the Kings tried to stop his scoring but trapping someone like Bane is not all that easy.

#3 The Grizzlies Ja Morant followed up with 22 points with five rebounds and six assists.

#4 The Kings De’Aaron Fox led with 27 points with Harrison Barnes followed up with 22 points but the Kings in the end fell short and couldn’t finish.

#5 The Miami Heat (2-4) are coming to Sacramento on Sat 29th. The Heat took a loss on Thursday night to the Golden State Warriors 123-110 and come in two games below .500 just wanted to see how you see the Heat and Kings matching up as the Kings are still looking for their first win.

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

Kings remain winless drop fourth straight game to Grizzlies 125-110

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The Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant (12) gets a finger roll on a jumper for two against the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sobonis (10) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Thu Oct 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings (0-4) were back in action on Thursday night at Golden one Center. The Kings were set to take on the Memphis Grizzlies (4-1) as Ja Morant came to town. The Kings after struggling early in the season, we’re looking to change the tone. Kings fans would leave the arena disappointed as the Kings lost the game 125–110.

The game wasn’t a blowout by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a steady and slow defeat by most accounts. There wasn’t really any quarter or moment that the Kings lost the game. It was just a compilation throughout the game that ended up, leading to defeat.

In the first quarter of the Grizzlies jumped out to an early lead outscoring the Kings 32–28. The Kings offense didn’t to get off to a good start, and the defense didn’t find a rhythm early either.

In the second quarter it was more of the same. The Kings were outscored 31–28. The game didn’t get out of hand of the Kings were slowly falling behind. In the first half, the Kings got themselves into a 63 to 56 deficit. In the first half the Kings were led by De’Aaron Fox who had 16 points. The Kings needed to bounce back in the second half to win the game.

The third quarter echoed much of the first half of the Kings. The offense wasn’t terrible however, the defense could not get stops. The Kings would be out scored in the third quarter 31–27.

Entering the fourth quarter, the Kings would need to mount a come back if they hoped to get their first win of the season. Unfortunately for King’s fans, the fourth quarter was almost identical to the third. In the fourth quarter the Kings were out scored 31-27 and lost the game.

The Kings were led by De’Aaron Fox, who scored 27 points, followed by Harrison Barnes, who managed 20 points in the contest. The Memphis grizzlies were led by an unlikely figure Desmond Bane, who scored 31 points. Ja Morant the resident star of the Grizzlies had 22 points.

The Kings will need to return to the drawing board to figure out how to get their first win on Saturday.

Up Next: Kings will stay home to take on the Miami Heat at 3PM PST on Saturday.

Point Parade: Kings allow Warriors’ 50-point quarter in 130-125 loss

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By Morris Phillips

That familiar, streetball taunt, “You can’t guard me!” took on a broader context Sunday night at the Chase Center.

As in, nobody in a white Kings’ uniform can guard anyone in a blue Warriors uniform for the next 12 minutes… or so it seemed.

The Warriors’ 50-point, second quarter laid the Kings to waste in Sacramento’s 130-125 loss that dropped them to 0-3 to start the season. Even the Kings’ late push that saw them down 126-122 with 1:04 remaining was more about the hosts than the Kings, as the Warriors missed 12 consecutive shots in the fourth. That drought prompted Coach Steve Kerr to get his starters back in the game.

The Kings trailed 89-71 at halftime, and that set a record for the most points a Sacramento Kings team has allowed in a half.

“We can’t give up 50 points in the second quarter, or no quarters,” Malik Monk said. “It’s hard to win an NBA game like that.”

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 33 points. Nineteen of those came in the last, seven minutes before halftime as the superstar hit his all-too-familar boiling point. Andrew Wiggins kicked in 24 for Golden State

The Kings first three opponents have dropped 34 made threes while shooting better than 38 percent from distance. An even more troubling trend is found in the Kings’ frequent fouling. The Warriors attempted 36 free throws (making 26) bringing the total for the Kings’ opponents to 91 attempts in just three games.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 26 points, but he missed five of six from three. Fox’s backcourt mate, Kevin Huerter had accuracy issues as well missing 11 of his 14 shots and finished with nine points.

Domantas Sabonis unfortunately was on the floor for the densest portions of Golden State’s onslaught. The Kings power forward collected 19 points, 14 rebounds but was an unsightly -25 on the plus/minus meter in just 22 minutes on the floor.

The Kings’ seven reserves that played were fantastic, combing for 26 made baskets on 54 shot attempts. That production allowed the Kings to turn a 26-point, third quarter deficit into a more palatable 5-point loss.

Keegan Murray and Richaun Holmes each scored 16 points, and Monk added 15.

“Mike’s doing a great job with those guys,” coach Steve Kerr said. “They’re fighting, they’re competing. They’ve had three close losses now to start the year.

“We let our guard down and they took advantage of it.”

The Kings host the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday at Golden 1 Center.

KINGS GET RINGS: Coach Mike Brown and his assistant coach Leandro Barbosa received championship rings in a ceremony before the game in recognition of their contributions to the Warriors’ coaching staff in 2021-22.

Brown spent six seasons with the Warriors, almost all of that time as Kerr’s lead assistant.

“Fantastic friends there,” Brown said when asked about the occasion on Saturday. “Still got my place a block and a half from the arena and all that stuff, but I’m locked in on this game tomorrow.”

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