Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets looks to drive to the basket on Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Golden 1 Center on November 11, 2025 in Sacramento, California (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The listless Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night on national television for an 8 p.m. PST affair with the Denver Nuggets. The Kings collapsed in the fourth quarter and fell to the Nuggets 122-108 inside Golden 1 Center.
In the first quarter, the Kings’ defense fueled their offensive efforts. However, Denver still managed to put up 34 points in the first to outscore the Kings, who managed 33 points. The Kings and Nuggets both shot 53% from the field.
In the second quarter, the Kings were outscored by the Nuggets 27-22 as the offense dried up for both teams. The Kings and Nuggets weren’t making shots at the clip they were in the first quarter, as the Kings shot 47% and Denver shot 40% going into halftime. The Kings’ leading scorer was Domantas Sabonis, who had 13 points in the first half, as the Nuggets were paced by Nikola Jokic with 19 points.
Neither team went on long extended runs in the first half, as they both played enough defense to keep each other at bay.
In the third quarter, the Kings continued their solid play as they outscored the Nuggets for the first time in the game, 26-25. The Kings managed to sustain their defensive pressure on the Nuggets in the second half and were looking to get the offense going as they headed into the fourth quarter trailing 85-82.
Through three quarters, the Kings had played solid basketball and done the things they needed to stay in the game against a premier team in the Western Conference.
In the fourth quarter, the Kings struggled mightily early in the quarter, at one point being down by 17 points. The Kings battled the remainder of the game but weren’t able to claw their way back from that deficit and fell to the Nuggets 122-108. The Nuggets outscored the Kings 37-26 in the fourth quarter en route to giving the Kings their third straight loss. The Kings were led in scoring by their two centers, as Domantas Sabonis and Drew Eubanks both scored 19 points. Denver was led in scoring by Nikola Jokic, who dropped 35 points in 32 minutes of action for the Nuggets.
The Kings are mired in a pit of NBA purgatory as they are now 3-8 on the season with no light at the end of the tunnel. The Kings’ defense is atrocious as they sit at 27th in defensive rating. The Kings’ offense, supposedly the strong suit of this team, is also in bad shape as the 24th-ranked offense in the league.
However, Doug Christie seems to think he has his offense right where he wants it and the issues only come from the defensive end of the floor, saying, “It ain’t about the offense.”
Well, I’m not sure if Doug knows, but the Kings have the 24th-ranked offense and are 20th in points per game. And, as my colleague Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee pointed out on X, the lineups including Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Dennis Schroder had an offensive rating of 104.3. That’s right near the bottom of the NBA. So, the Kings have deep-rooted problems on both ends of the floor.
Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PST in what will be the second night of a back-to-back.

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.










