Category: Sacramento Kings

Doncic Out: Kings catch a break, then get broke off late and lose to the Mavs, 114-113

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By Morris Phillips

No Luka? For the Sacramento Kings that late, injury news appeared to be the opening needed for a victorious Saturday afternoon in North Texas.

But the Mavericks taking the floor without their singular superstar and his 27 points a game wasn’t the determining factor. The fact that the Mavs–winners of 22 of 29–are red hot was.

Dallas overcame a 19-point deficit and shocked the Kings in the game’s final minute, winning 114-113.

De’Aaron Fox scored a game-best 44 points and his jumper with 2:55 remaining gave the Kings a 110-103 lead. But they would miss their next five shots and commit a turnover, putting the Mavs in position to steal it.

Spencer Dinwiddie hit a jumper to cap an 8-0 run for Dallas that gave them a 111-110 lead. Then after Fox made one of two free throws, Dorian Finney-Smith hit a 3-pointer to give the Mavs a 114-111 lead with three seconds left.

Harrison Barnes attempted a long 3 and missed, and the rebound was scooped up by Justin Holiday, who scored from under the basket just ahead of the final horn.

Dinwiddie scored 36 points in just his fifth game with Dallas after he was main piece coming back from Washington in the trade of Kristaps Porzingis. The gifted scorer moved into the starting lineup for Doncic, but the hosts started slow, and trailed the Kings 65-51 at halftime.

“We want Luka playing, and it took us some time to get used to him not being on the floor,” coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought the guys got their legs, and got their rhythm without Luka out there. It helps us – makes us a better team – but hopefully Luka’s back Monday.”

“I do what I do, and I don’t do what I’m not supposed to do,” Dinwiddie said. “That goes 1-through-15. Everybody here follows that type of mentality because we understand that to not just win basketball games in the regular season, but in the playoffs, you need that.”

Domantas Sabonis was the Kings only other bright spot offensively with 15 points, 10 rebounds but he wore down late against the defense of Finney-Smith.

With the loss, the Kings saddled themselves with a 16th consecutive losing season that will likely be joined by a just as lengthy streak of missing the playoffs. At 24-42 only a torrid finish with just two or three losses would put them in position to pass Portland, New Orleans and San Antonio and move into the 10th spot and a two-game shot at a playoff berth.

On Monday, the Kings return to the Golden 1 Center to host the Knicks at 7:00pm.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings rebound pick up big win in San Antonio on Thursday night

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) grabs a rebound over San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, right, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, talk about the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes he had 27 points he was the go to guy as the Kings came away with a 115-112 win over the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thursday night.

#2 Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich had picked up his 1,334th career win but now have lost three straight games and it was an accomplishment that was none too easy for the Kings.

#3 The Kings got scoring help from De’Aaron Fox 26 points, Domantas Sobonis 12 points who also had 12 rebounds and fouled out of the game.

#4 It was the Spurs first home game since Feb 4th because of the San Antonio Rodeo. Could that have made a difference being away so long and given the Kings an advantage?

#5 The Kings head to Dallas and face a very physical and offensive Mavericks team lead by Luca Doncic on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm PST how do you see that match up?

Jeremiah Salmonson does the Kings podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Edge Spurs 115-112;Sac ends four game loss streak

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Joshua Primo (11) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Edge Spurs 115-112; Sac ends four game loss streak

By Barbara Mason

Last night the Sacramento Kings took what was probably their most disappointing loss all season to the New Orleans Pelicans. Before this game both teams were vying for the tenth seed and a chance to play in the postseason.

Lack of defense and turnovers were the main culprits in this loss. The win put the Pelicans into tenth place in the Western Conference. The loss dropped the Kings into 13th place.

Thursday night the Kings (24-41) took on San Antonio (24-39) in a game that highly favored the Spurs. The Spurs have a 24-38 record and sit in the twelfth spot in the Western Conference. After last night’s loss in a must-win scenario, the Kings needed to bounce back.

They really want to see if their win right now trades have made a difference. Tonight the defense has to show up and they need to protect the ball. Those will be the keys to this road game.

The Kings got a great start in the first quarter leading after one 30-27. Sacramento extended their lead at the half 64-51. De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes both had a nice first half for the Kings.

The Spurs mounted a comeback in the third quarter outscoring the Kings 31-24. The Kings still led but it had dissolved significantly 88-82.

The Spurs continued to threaten the Sacramento lead in the fourth quarter. De Jounte Murray was having a great game with 21 points but the point leader through three for the Spurs was Lonnie Walker IV with 30 points off the bench.

At 7:45 San Antonio had tied the game at 91. Momentum was clearly on the Spurs side. With under four minutes left in the game San Antonio had taken the lead 103-101. With under two minutes left in the game the Kings had a slim 104-103 lead.

Sacramento took back the momentum in the closing minutes of the game winning 115-112. This game could not have been any closer and after leading through most of this game the Kings came dangerously close to losing it. Harrison Barnes was the point leader with 27 points for Sacramento.

The Kings will be on road in Dallas to take on Luca Doncic and the red-hot Mavericks Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

One Big Easy Win: Sacramento Gets Rolled By Pelicans 125-95

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots over Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) and Domantas Sobonis (10) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Wed Mar 2, 2022 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Gets Rolled By the Pelicans 125-95

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night two struggling teams met at Smoothie King Center. The Sacramento Kings (23-41) traveled to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans (26-36). They have both started the second half of the season on an improved note.

The Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns 117-102 with CJ McCollum on a scoring spree. He is still working on his on-court chemistry with the Pelicans. New Orleans also beat the Lakers pretty handily 123-95. The Kings won their last game against the Thunder 131-110. The Pelicans handled the Kings on Wednesday night 125-95.

Both teams have made some nice changes to their roster. Changes for these two teams have been paying off nicely.

As expected these two teams played a very close first quarter. The Kings edged the Pelicans in the opening quarter 33-31. At the half the Pelicans had taken the lead 65-61. DeAaron Fox led the Kings with 17 points and Harrison Barnes turning in 15.

The Pelicans Brandon Ingram had a great first half with 24 points. Both teams got some great work from Domantas Sabonis (Kings) and Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans) each with eight rebounds. They would both finish with 14 apiece.

The Pelicans would continue their role into the third quarter leading after three 96-82. New Orleans proved to be to hot to handle for Sacramento. Every one of their starters had double digits with Brandon Ingram shooting for 33 points. He was 15-of-19 which is a tough act to follow.

The high for the Kings was Fox with 25 points and Harrison Barnes shooting for 19. The Pelicans simply had a whole lot more fire power than Sacramento, as the Kings continue to struggle.

The Kings will now travel to San Antonio on Thursday night taking on the Spurs. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Kings use big second half to knock off Thunder 131-110 in OKC

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) shoots between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), forward Isaiah Roby (22) and guard Aaron Wiggins, right, at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Mon Feb 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Monday, February 28, 2022

The Sacramento Kings (23-40) had six players in double-figures Monday, as the Kings traveled to Oklahoma City (19-42) and emerged with a 131-110 win over the Thunder.

The Kings (23-40) emerged from a 59-all halftime deadlock with a big second half, outscoring OKC 72-51 in the final 24 minutes after the Thunder opened the second half with a 9-0 run. The Kings battled back to take a 99-90 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Oklahoma City cut the Kings’ lead to 102-96 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, but could get no closer, as Sacramento snapped a four-game losing streak.

DeAaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points and ten assists. Trey Lyles was next with 24 points, followed by Harrison Barnes with 23, and Domantas Sabonis with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo and Davion Mitchell added 14 and 13 points, respectively, off the Sacramento bench.

DiVincenzo did his offensive damage in 22 minutes, and Fox’s ten assists matched his personal season high.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 37 points for the Thunder (19-42) to go along with seven rebounds, ten assists and three steals.

Oliver Sarr was next for OKC with 12 points, followed by Tre Mann with 11 and Vit Krejci with ten . Atemleksej Pokusevski finished with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.

The Kings continue their road trip on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Kings Falls Short Losing To Denver 115-110

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Sacramento Kings forward Justin Holiday (9) is fouled by Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton, right, at Ball Arena in Denver on Sat Feb 26, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Falls Short Losing To Denver 115-110

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Sacramento Kings (22-40) took on the Denver Nuggets (35-25). The Nuggets are sixth in the Western Conference while the struggling Kings are 13th in the Conference. Denver is heavily favored in this home game at Ball Arena.

The Kings will be without Richaun Holmes and will rely heavily on De’Aaron Fox. They will have the unenviable task of containing Denver’s Nikola Jokic.

After one quarter the Nuggets had taken a 38-30 lead over the Kings. The Nuggets were able to maintain the lead until the final minutes of the second quarter when the Kings really began to heat up. With a little over two minutes left in the half, the Nuggets led by nine points.

The Kings would chip away at the Denver lead and with one minute left in the second quarter trailed by a single point. At halftime the Kings had tied the game at 59.

This was a real turn of momentum for the Kings, momentum that they needed to take into the third quarter. De’Aaron Fox led Sacramento with 13 points followed by Harrison Barnes with nine points. Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 16 points and Monte Morris finished the half with 14 points.

With under three minutes left in he third quarter the Kings had kept up the pressure on the Nuggets leading 84-77. Big man Domantas Sabonis had eight rebounds and seven assists through three quarters and it was the defensive play of Sacramento that was keeping them in this game. After three quarters the game was dead even at 85 points apiece.

The Nuggets would start the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run taking a 94-85 lead in the early minutes of the final quarter. The Kings would start to chip away at Denver’s lead cutting the Nuggets advantage to 94-92. With under two minutes left in the game it was again tied at 107. At 39.8 this game remained tied at 110.

The game would turn out to be the last team with the ball coming a with the win. The Kings had every chance to win this game but just could not hang with the Nuggets at the very end. The final was 115-110 in favor of Denver.

Fox had the high score for the Kings with 26 points and Barnes finished with 24. Jeremy Lamb had 12 off the bench and Sabonis had a great game with 16 rebounds.

Next up for the Kings will be a meeting with the Thunder Monday night in Oklahoma. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Ukrainian Kings player Alex Len condemns Russian attack on Ukraine; plus more

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Sacramento Kings Alex Len is most concern

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah with the Russian attack on Ukraine this week the Sacramento Kings (22-38) Alex Len and Toronto Raptors player Svi Mykhailiuk both from the Ukraine condemn the attack on their country and said “A great tragedy has befell our homeland Ukraine.”

#2 For Len this has to be weighing heavily on his mind each time he goes out on the basketball court?

#3 Jeremiah, after the Kings acquired Domantas Sabonis what will that mean for Richaun Holmes who was rumored to be on the trade block?

#4  Sobonis didn’t hold back landing second on the Kings leaderboard behind Fox on Wednesday fending of the Bulls defense and scoring 22 points.

#5 Jeremiah, after a week off or seven days how important is that for the Kings to have had that rest?

Join Jeremiah who covers Kings basketball on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Mike Can Coach!: Malone makes history in Nuggets 128-110 win over the Kings

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Doing big things after leaving the Sacramento Kings has a familiar ring. Isaiah Thomas, DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo did that. Tyrese Haliburton is a pretty good bet to do that. And Mike Malone might be the best example of that and he’s not even an NBA player.

Remember Malone? Not even his working relationship and belief in the mercurial Cousins could save his head coaching job eight years ago. The Kings fired Malone in 2015 after the team went 39-67 in a rough season and a sluggish start to the next. And Malone picked himself up and moved to Denver, where he’s won 300 games in seven seasons, culminating with the milestone win at Golden 1 Center Thursday night, 128-110 over the Kings.

“This is a tough business,” a proud Malone said after the game. “I got fired in my first job. I’ve seen my father get fired. This business is not for the weak-minded. Here’s to 300 more.”

That Malone has racked up the wins in Denver with a defensive mindset, and a versatile center who plays like Cousins in reigning MVP Nikola Jokic couldn’t sit well with the Kings’ leadership. While Malone continues to do with Denver what many think he could have done in Sacramento had there been more patience, the Kings are floundering defensively, allowing a league-worst 115 points per game after allowing 128 in their first game since the All-Star break.

“Against a team like that, if you turn it over they’re going to convert on the other end. In that fourth quarter they made a couple of 3s in a row that really hurt us,” Domantas Sabonis said.

The Kings trailed by as many as 13 points in the third, but rallied to within five, 92-87 at the end of the quarter. But the hosts became even more generous in the fourth, allowing 36 points as Denver ran away.

Jokic led the Nuggets with 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists as his 34 minutes of floor time was the only hindrance to him posting a triple-double. Will Barton and Monte Morris added 31 and 19 points respectively as Malone’s big victory was engineered by his three, most tenured players.

Sabonis led the Kings 33 points and 14 rebounds, and his 15 for 23 shooting was a major reason the Kings stayed within range for three quarters. De’Aaron Fox had 20, and Harrison Barnes 14 giving the Kings a balanced attack, inside and out. What hurt them was 20 misfires from distance, with ten, different Kings missing at least one 3-point attempt.

“We have to shoot the ball better,” coach Alvin Gentry said. “We had a lot of open looks we missed and they came down and converted. That’s where the separation starts.”

The Kings fell to 22-39 with 21 games remaining in their season. Their prospects for a 10th place finish aren’t great, but they could improve if the club can win at New Orleans and San Antonio next week, two of the three clubs ahead of them in the standings that must be displaced.

CRISIS IN UKRAINE TOUCHES SACRAMENTO: Kings’ center Alex Len and Svi Mykhailiuk of the Toronto Raptors issued a joint statement before the game that impassionately placed both natives of Ukraine in support of their homeland in the face of the Russian invasion of the Eastern Europe country.

“We pray for our families, friends, relatives and all the people who are in the territory of Ukraine. We hope for an end to this terrible war as soon as possible. Dear fellow Ukrainians, hold on! Our strength is our unity! We are with you.”

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: All Star Break couldn’t have come at a better time for weathered Kings

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Sacramento Kings Davion Mitchell will not participate in the NBA All Star break’s Rising Star’s Challenge in Cleveland due to suffering from a hand contusion. Mitchell is expected to return to action on Thu Feb 24, 2022 at the Chase Center in Sacramento (file photo from Hoops Habit)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, going over some of the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis who is averaging 18 points per game, 12 rebounds, and has 5.1 assists. How important is he since joining the team?

#2 The Kings DeAaron Fox led the Kings with 33 points against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. When the Kings struggle in some of their games they always seem to look for Fox as their go to guy for offense.

#3 Sobonis didn’t hold back landing second on the Kings leaderboard behind Fox on Wednesday fending of the Bulls defense and scoring 22 points.

#4 Jeremiah the Kings Davion Mitchell has a hand contusion and will not participate in All Star weekend during the Rising Stars Challenge. With Mitchell out that means the Kings will not be represented at all during All Star weekend in Cleveland.

#5 Mitchell will rest the hand and hopes to be back in the Kings next game Thu Feb 24th against the Denver Nuggets at Golden One Center in downtown Sacramento.

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

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings return home next week vs. Denver after tough loss Wed night in Chicago

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Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic (9) dunks between Sacramento Kings’ Harrison Barnes, left, and Richaun Holmes at the United Center in Chicago on Wed Feb 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Tony R:

#1 DeMar DeRozan, Coby White and Nikola Vucevic combined for 80 points Wednesday, as the Chicago Bulls (38-21) defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings (22-38) 125-118 in front of 19,166 at United Center.

#2 DeRozan scored a game-high 38 points, White – starting in place of Zach LaVine – had 31 points.

#3 Javonte Green and Ayo Dosunmu added 15 and 12 points, respectively, for the Bulls. Dosunmu also had six rebounds, six assists and two steals.

#4 DeRozan also broke an obscure NBA record with his seventh straight game of 35 or more points on 50 percent or better shooting. Wilt Chamberlain set the previous mark in 1960-61 and 1962-63 with the Warriors.

#5 The Denver Nuggets (33-25) who just defeated the Golden State Warriors (42-17) 117-116 are headed to Sacramento on Thu Feb 24. The Nuggets are rolling winning five of their last six games. How do you see this match up next week between the Nuggets and Kings?

Join Tony R for the Kings podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com