Sharks Lose 7-3 to Golden Knights, Losing Streak at 9

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Vegas Golden Knights celebrate a first period goal as the San Jose Sharks Mikael Granlund (64) foreground skates off. The Sharks once again surrender three goals in the first period this time at T Mobile Center in Las Vegas at Sat Oct 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost 7-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights, bringing their season-opening losing streak to nine. Tanner Pearson, Jack Eichel, Brett Howden, Pavel Dorofayev and Mark Stone scored for Vegas. Ilya Samsonov made 23 saves for the win. Mikael Granlund, Nico Sturm and Luke Kunin scored for San Jose. Vitek Vanacek made 35 saves in the loss.

After the game, Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro talked about the team’s slow starts:

“We gotta find a way to weather the storm in energetic buildings. LA, it’s their home opener, same thing kinda happened. We’re chasing the game far too much right now. I think there’s a lot more areas that are not good enough but that’s definitely something that’s not helping our case.”

Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky described the team’s state of mind: “I don’t think anyone’s happy by any means. There’s a lot of emotion in that locker room. Frustration, anger. It’s tough. It’s tough right now.”

Tanner Pearson scored the first goal of the night with the first shot of the game at 1:54. William Karlsson set up the slap shot with a quick backhand pass off the boards. A secondary assist went to Alexander Holtz.

Jack Eichel made it 2-0 less than two minutes later. Mark Stone moved up to the right point before passing the puck to Eichel in the left faceoff circle. Alex Pietrangelo also got an assist.

Brett Howden made it 3-0 late in the period. Tomas Hertl carried the puck in and then made a pass to Howden who was skating to the net. Howden scored with a wrist shot on Vanacek’s stick side. Pavel Dorofeyev got the secondary assist.

The Sharks were outshot 22-4 in the first period.

Mikael Granlund got one back for the Sharks midway through the second period. Granlund tried a wrap-around and when that did not work he got the puck right back and pushed it over the line. William Eklund and Mario Ferraro got the assists.

William Karlsson scored short-handed less than a minute later. Vanacek took a chance and came well out of the net to poke the puck away but Karlsson got it back and evaded the discombobulated Sharks defense. Pietrangelo got an assist.

Pavel Dorofeyev made it 5-1 with a power play goal in the last minute of the second period. Assists went to Shea Theodore and Mark Stone.

Nico Sturm scored the Sharks’ second goal a few seconds later with a wrist shot into the top corner from the faceoff circle.

The Sharks came closer in shots during the second period, mustering 11 to Vegas’ 15.

Mark Stone made it 6-2 at 11:10 of the third period. Eichel carried the puck towards the net and then found Stone with a drop pass. Assists went to Eichel and Barbashev.

Luke Kunin scored the Sharks’ third goal from a scrum in front of the net at 13:29. An assist went to Fabian Zetterlund.

Brett Howden scored his second of the night at 17:07. Assists went to Dorofeyev and Hertl.

The Sharks only allowed five shots in the third period and got credit for 11.

The Sharks next play on Monday at 6:00 PM PT in Salt Lake City against the Utah Hockey Club.

Late field goal lifts Demon Deacons over Cardinal 27-24; Stanford’s winless streak continues, 12th consecutive loss to FBS opponents

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Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Eric Ayomanor scampers from the grasp of a Wake Forest Demon Deacons defender at Stanford Stadium on Sat Oct 26, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Wake Forest kicker Matthew Dennis booted a 23-yard field goal with under two minutes to play Saturday, as the Demon Deacons slipped past Stanford 27-24 in Atlantic Coast Conference football at Stanford.

It was the fifth loss in a row for the Cardinal (2-8 overall, 1-4 ACC) and are winless in the last two seasons. Stanford has lost 12 consecutive home games to FBS opponents.

Wake Forest, meanwhile, won its third straight road contest and moved a step closer to bowl eligibility, The Demon Deacons rolled up 418 yards in total offense, while Stanford had 346.

Nick Anderson wrapped up the victory for Wake Forest (4-4 overall, 2-2 ACC) when he intercepted an Ashton Daniels pass with 22 seconds to play. A 36-yard punt return by Taylor Morin gave the Demon Deacons the ball at midfield, setting up the game-winning field goal.

Demon Deacons quarterback Hank Bachmeier tossed three touchdown passes in the first half, including a 30-yard strike to Micah Mays Jr. and a 39-yard TD toss to Tate Carney. Bachmeier threw for 245 passing yards on 20 of 30 completions, but struggled in the second half and was sacked four times.

At 12:44 of the second period, Justin Lamson scored from a yard out to put the Cardinal on the board. Wake Forest turned the ball over at 8:58 of the second period when Bachmeier was sacked and fumbled, Tevarua Tafiti picked up the ball and ran 44 yards for the game-tying touchdown.

Emmet Kenney kicked a 40-yard field goal at the end of the quarter, and the Cardinal trailed 24-17 at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Cardinal tied the game with 8:41 to play on a 16-yard TD pass from Daniels to Sam Roush. Dennis later booted his go-ahead field goal for Wake Forest with 1:48 remaining,

Demond Claiborne rushed for 127 yards on 23 carries for Wale Forest, and Deuce Alexander led the Deacons with five catches, Daniels completed 24 of 31 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown, and was intercepted twice. Daniels also led Cardinal ball carriers with 54 rushing yards on 11 carries. Elic Ayomanor caught 11 passes for 96 yards to lead Stanford receivers.

The Cardinal travel to Raleigh, N.C., next week to face NC State.

Fast Start, Quicker Improvisation Propels Cal To A Streak-Ending, 44-7 Win Over Oregon State

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Saturday’s resounding 44-7 win over Oregon State wasn’t about finding answers to the persistent questions. It was about changing the discourse entirely.

Can Cal win a close game? Can its defense summon a critical stop in the fourth quarter? Should coach Justin Wilcox be retained for a ninth season?

Those questions weren’t broached and will have to be answered in the coming weeks. In fact, any nagging questions must be asked of the visiting Beavers. They were nearly a complete no-show, falling behind by two touchdowns in the first six minutes and 31-0 at the half.

Fernando Mendoza threw for a career-best 364 yards, and freshman Derek Morris kicked a school-record tying five field goals in the win. For both, there was sweet redemption as Cal’s revamped offensive line protected Mendoza beautifully, and Morris gained confidence after his fourth quarter, field goal miss that would have given the Bears a lead last week against NC State with 90 seconds remaining.

“We just want to be really consistent in our play and have a standard of play that doesn’t deviate, regardless of who we play, what the score is, what the weather is like, whether there are fans or no fans,” coach Justin Wilcox said, in skillful acceptance of his team’s resilient play without mention of their painful, four-game losing streak that had them winless since September 14.

Against an OSU defense decimated by injuries and personnel lost in the transfer portal, the Bears started fast and never looked back. Cal’s first 11 offensive plays amassed 122 yards and two touchdowns. By the end of the first quarter, the total yardage disparity was glaring with the Beavers outgained 196-17.

Craig Woodson came up with Cal’s 14th interception on the season when Gevani McCoy’s pass to the boundary was late. That was the first of OSU’s two turnovers and the end of McCoy’s afternoon. He was replaced by graduate student Ben Gulbranson for the remainder of the game with the Beavers trailing 17-0.

“We didn’t play well tonight,” OSU coach Trent Bray said. “So it’s frustrating because we’re better than our record, and we need to play to that standard.”

Wilcox was fulfilled, but he didn’t like that five of his team’s drives ended with a field goal instead of a touchdown. The Bears’ second drive did achieve the desired result, but it forced the head coach to do some explaining afterward. Mendoza completed a screen to Jaivian Thomas in a tight space, and he was immediately engaged by safety Isaiah Chisolm. But Thomas refused to go down. Instead, he was spun back facing Mendoza. In a split second and through eye contact between Thomas and Mendoza, the running back lateraled to his quarterback, who sailed into the end zone from nine yards untouched.

Wilcox was asked if that was the way the play was designed. His first answer in jest was “yes.” But he quickly explained that the players took it upon themselves, knowing one important tenet of Cal football.

“You never want to take away the playmaking ability of a football player. We’re not trying to build robots. However, decision-making is critical,” Wilcox preached. “Those are the moments you have to be right.”

The Bears get their second bye week before traveling to Wake Forest on November 8. Wilcox said his team will maintain a typical game week practice schedule. While the Bears welcomed back Jadyn Ott, who spelled Jaivian Thomas with 10 carries, he wasn’t particularly effective. The hope is the additional time will aid Ott and allow prolific linebacker Cade Uluave to return. Uluave missed the game due to injury, but his teammates still managed to shut off Oregon State’s run game that managed 60 yards on 27 carries.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks coughing up too many goals in first periods 12-4; SJ back to drawing board in Vegas on Saturday

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) moves the puck past the Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) in the first period at Crypto.com Arena on Thu Oct 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

On San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks made history going winless with their eighth loss in a row they accomplished this last season as well and later losing ten straight last season. The Sharks tied the eight loss record for a team who had done it two straight years with the 1960-61 and 1961-62 Boston Bruins.

#2 San Jose head coach Ryan Warsofsky said that this is the NHL the best league in the world and that if guys don’t enjoy playing this game then their in the wrong business and that their on the wrong team and that Warsofsky said “we’ll weed those guys right out.”

#3 The Sharks in the first period have been outscored 12-4. The Sharks have a major concern on defense in the early stages of games. The Sharks were clobbered by the Winnipeg Jets in on lopsided game back on Friday Oct 18th in Winnipeg 8-3. That’s a lot of goals to give up for one game.

#4 Another good example of what Warsofsky is talking about is Thursday night’s game where the Los Angeles Kings dominated the first period opening up the game with three goals taking a 3-0 lead. The Sharks had to play defense and try and make up the difference but in the end they lost by a goal 3-2.

#5 The Sharks are back at the drawing board once more as they meet the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights are another first period scoring team they scored three unanswered goals against the Kings in Vegas on Tuesday night for a loaded 6-1 win. The Knights are 4-2-1 going up against a Shark team that is 0-6-2. What are San Jose chances as they face off against the Knights at T Mobile Center on Saturday night?

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

World Series podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Freeman’s walk off grand slam gives Dodgers a leg up in game 1 over Yankees

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Game 1 of the World Series was Freddiemania when the Los Angeles Dodgers Freddie Freeman (5) slugged a walk off grand slam home run to defeat the New York Yankees in the bottom of the tenth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Fri Nov 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the World Series podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Game 1 is practically what everyone was expecting a razor close nail biter which wound up in extra innings in a World Series where teams don’t have the ghost runner to depend on. New York Yankees leading 3-2 the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the tenth inning . LA didn’t need a ghost runner all they needed was Freddie Freeman who slugged a grand slam home run to put the Dodgers over the top with a 6-3 win to lead the series 1-0.

#2 Despite the loss that first game was competitive where it had to be decided in ten innings by a walk off home run. Do you see that being an indication that this could be a tight World Series.

#3 There was big contributions from both sides on Friday night. The Yankees Giancarlo Stanton hit a 412 foot home run with Juan Soto scoring ahead of him to put the Yankees on top in the sixth inning 2-1.

#4 Mookie Betts hit a sac fly to center that scored Shohei Ohtani to tie up the game 2-2. The Yankees would move ahead when Anthony Vlope grounded into a fielders choice that allowed Jazz Chisholm to score putting the Yanks up a run 3-2. Freeman would later hit the walk off grand slam to beat the Yankees in the tenth inning.

#5 Tributes before the game for Fernando Velenzuela who passed away this week. The Dodgers fans stood for a moment of silence to remember Velenzuela who brought Fernandomania to the Southland and later became the Dodgers Spanish announcer.

Stephen Ruderman is podcasting the 2024 World Series at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda take down Silver Knights 5-3, sweep second straight series

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by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda scored three goals in the third period to take control of a close game as they defeated the Henderson Silver Knights 5-3 took on Friday morning at Lee’s Family Forum.

San Jose has won a season best four games in a row, including five of their first six games and swept its second straight series. Henderson has lost four games in a row and five of their first six to start their season.

San Jose (5-1) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Ethan Cardwell fed a pass back up to the point. Defenseman Jimmy Schuldt blasted a one-timer past Silver Knight’s goalie Akira Schmid for his first goal of the season at the 1:50 mark.

The Barracuda doubled its lead just under six minutes later. Luca Cagnoni continued his hot streak when his shot from the point was redirected by Andrew Poturalski for his second goal in back-to-back games at the 7:28 mark. Collin Graf picked up the secondary assist.

Henderson (1-5) struck back with an even strength goal 92 seconds later. A shot from the point by Calden Addison pinballed around a scrum in front of the crease. The rebound leaked out to the left wing where Brandon Hickey beat ‘Cuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov with a wrist shot the short side for his first goal of the season at the 9:00 mark.

San Jose scored an insurance goal early in the third period thanks to a turnover inside the Henderson zone. A failed clearing attempt along the right boards led to Ethan Frisch pinching in and sending the puck toward the net. Anthony Vincent redirected the puck past Schmid for his third goal of the season at the 4:07 mark.

Vincent, who only scored two goals last season, already has third goal in six games for the Barracuda.

Ethan Cardwell iced the game for the ‘Cuda late in the final frame. Vincent found Cardwell with a pass at center ice and the sophomore forward skated into the Henderson zone past two defenders before depositing the puck top-shelf to the short side for his first goal of the season at the 15:18 mark.

Gage Quinney scored a 5-on-3 power play late in the period. Quinney skated around from the right wing to up top before whipping a wrist shot past Askarov for his second goal in as many games at the 17:31 mark.

The Barracuda regained its three-goal lead with an empty net goal. Cardwell earned the assist of the game when he outbattled two Silver Knights defenders along the boards behind the net. Cardwell won the puck and flipped it over to Filip Bystedt who buried the puck into the empty for his second goal of the season at the 18:23 mark.

Kai Uchacz completed the scoring with a power play goal. Uchacz cashed in on a turnover behind the net and skated out on front and beat Askarov from point-blank range for his first goal of the season with 16 second remaining.

Askarov (4-0) remained perfect on the season as he stopped 28 of the 32 shots he faced to earn his fourth win of the season. Schmid (0-4) made 36 saves on 40 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Henderson was 1-for-2.

San Jose is 14-16-2-2 in the all-time series versus Henderson.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday 10/30 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Isles Duclair out with lower body injury; Huges and Pesce return to New Jersey after injuries; plus more NHL news

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New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair (11) is assisted off the ice with Nick Suzuki (14) and trainer after suffering a lower body injury on Sat Oct 19, 2024 at Belmont NY (Getty)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Former San Jose Shark and New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair suffered a lower body injury was injured during Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. The Isles ended up defeating the Habs 4-3. Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said of the Duclair injury, “We don’t like to lose players, first of all,” Roy said. “And secondly, I mean, all I care right now is to see him be back 100 percent and feeling good when he’s back. That’s where the focus is.”

#2 Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce made their New Jersey Devils appearances on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Hughes suffered from left shoulder injury. Hughes said it’s been a long time coming and he was excited to be able to play in his first game. Pesce who signed a six year contract with New Jersey had surgery on his fractured fibula.

#3 Tickets for the Four Nations Face Off that will see NHL games in Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the US Feb 12-20. Tickets for 4 Nations Face Off will go on sale next week. The tournament will feature NHL players who will be representing Canada, Finland, Sweden and the US. It will be seven games over nine days and four games at the Belle Centre in Montreal and three games which includes the championship to be played at TD Garden in Boston.

#4 The St Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas will be out at least six weeks due to a right ankle fracture he incurred Tuesday in a game against the Winnipeg Jets. Thomas had two assists against the Jets but missed the final 11:58 and had an x-ray done that revealed the fracture.

#5 Len, have to ask you how surprised are you that San Jose Sharks remain winless through eight games. The Sharks in their last three games have lost by at least two goals or more. They face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in Vegas this Saturday how difficult will it be for the Sharks to get in win column against the Knights in Vegas?

Len Shapiro podcasts the NHL podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Utah Buried By Avalanche 5-1 Defensive woes continue for struggling Utah Hockey Club

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Utah Hockey Club forward Josh Doan (91) shoots the puck against the Colorado Avalanche defensemen Calvin de Haan (44) in the second period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thu Oct 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

Utah Buried By Avalanche 5-1 Defensive woes continue for struggling Utah Hockey Club

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–On the heels of a perfect 3-0 start to the 2024-2025 NHL season, the Utah Hockey Club has come back down to earth losing four of the next five games including Thursday night’s 5-1 home loss to the visiting Colorado Avalanche, bringing their record to 4-3-1.

Netminder Karel Vejmelka got the start following his two shoutout periods of relief in Tuesday night’s loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Halfway through the first period the Avs took advantage of a tripping penalty against Ian Cole as forward Ross Colton scored his seventh goal on the season, assisted by Mikko Rantanen and Casey Mittelstadt.

Before Utah had a hockey team, many of its residents were followers of the Avalanche which was evidenced by the loud cheers for the power play goal. Colorado defenseman Cale Makar made it 2-0 near the end of the first period, assisted by Mikko Rantanen, his second of the game, and Nikolai Kovalenko.

Utah HC fared no better in the second period of play. At 14:25 of the middle frame, Avs center Casey Mittelstadt put the puck past Vejmelka to make it 3-0, assisted by Sam Malinski and Nikolai Kovalenko, his second of the evening.

Late in the period, Makar drew a hooking penalty from Dylan Guenther which resulted in another Colorado power play goal by Ivan Ivan (yes, that’s his real name), the first goal of his NHL career, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Casey Mittelstadt, the third Avs player to record a second assist, to send Utah to the locker room facing a 4-0 deficit for the second time in two games.

With 4:32 remaining in the third period, Utah forward Lawson Crouse netted his 3rd goal of the season to put an end to his team’s scoring drought, assisted by Matias Maccelli and Ian Cole. Whatever hopes the hometown fans may have had for a late comeback, however, were dashed just 39 seconds later as Avs forward Joel Kiviranta put the game permanently out of reach with an unassisted shot which got past Vejmelka. Colorado goaltender Justus Annunen stopped 25 of 26 shots for the win.

Utah’s defense has struggled all season, surrendering four or more goals in five of their eight games thus far. Two key defensemen, John Marino and Sean Durzi, have undergone surgeries which will keep them out of the lineup until sometime next year.

Rookie defenseman Maveric Lamoureux, a 2022 first round draft pick by the then-Arizona Coyotes, made his NHL debut and was +1 for the night. In four games with the Tucson Roadrunners this season, Lamoureux notched two goals and one assist.

After the game, Lamoureux commented on making his NHL Debut: “Playing in my first NHL game is special. Even though we didn’t win, I’m always going to remember that game, that’s for sure.” On playing his first shift, Lamoureux said “I was kind of stressed.

I didn’t want to fall. But (it) was amazing going out there.” Making his NHL debut extra meaningful, his parents flew in for the game. “I had no idea. That was a big surprise. After morning skate, they were in Ryan Smith’s suite waiting for me. That was a surprise. They landed last night and I had no idea. I was really happy to see them.”

Speaking of the back-to back losses, Utah Hockey Club Head Coach André Tourigny commented, “They were just two different games. Like I said against Ottawa, it wasn’t our game at all. We worked hard, and we had a lot of good opportunities but we lacked execution. Tonight, the lack of execution kept going, but I did not like our effort, our emotion, our physicality, and our battle level. It’s disappointing.” Speaking of the team’s offensive, Tourigny added, “We tried to switch lines and do different things, but at the end of the day, we have to simplify…If you look at every game, our possession and offensive zones are great, but we don’t have enough volume. At some point, when we have an opportunity to take a shot, we cannot pass on it. We need to be more selfish in those situations and put more pucks on the net that create habits for the non-carrier to go the net…The way we’re playing right now, we’re doing the reverse. We build the habits of our non-carrier to look for the passing option, and then now you don’t have traffic.”

Lawson Crouse, when asked what the team needs to change in order to shift the momentum, responded “We just have to get back to it…I think today was an example of us getting frustrated and trying to make up for it. We just have to get back to simple hockey, playing the right way, covering for each other. The goals will come. Obviously, we’ve got to keep them out of our net and that’s the biggest thing right now. You can’t win hockey games when we keep going down three, four nothing. It’s a tough league to come back in. Like I said, when that happens you feel like you have to make up for a play and it goes sideways quick. Obviously, we’ve got to stop it here, stop it tonight, learn from it, move on and get back to winning hockey.”

Following practice on Friday, Utah HC will fly to Los Angeles for a road game against the Kings on Saturday before returning home again on Monday to face the San Jose Sharks.

Still Winless, Sharks Fall 3-2 to Kings; Foegele scores twice for LA

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San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin (11) fights Los Angeles Kings left wing Andre Lee (47) with Kings defenseman Joel Edmundson (6) behind and holding Kunin in the first period Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thu Oct 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks fell 3-2 to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. Jordan Spence and Warren Foegele scored for the Kings and Mikael Granlund scored for the Sharks. David Rittich made 24 saves for the win. Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 saves in the loss. The loss gave the Sharks the dubious honor of being the second team in NHL history to lose the first eight games of the season in consecutive seasons.

All three of the Kings’ goals were scored in just over seven minutes during the first period. After the game, Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky said: “Just can’t do that in the first period in this league. We did some good things in the second and third. We’re still giving up too many chances.”

Sharks forward Fabian Zetterlund talked about how the team played better in the second and third periods: “When we move the puck and we actually make plays and have fun, you know, that’s part of [hockey]. When we do [that] kind of stuff we look like a really good hockey team.”

Jordan Spence gave the Kings the lead at 4:31. After some back and forth in the neutral zone, Trevor Moore got control of the puck and the Kings skated up ice at speed. Just inside the zone, Moore passed the puck to Spence for a snap shot. Phillip Danault also got an assist.

Warren Foegele made it 2-0 at 8:47, poking the puck past Blackwood and Henry Thrun in a net-front battle. An assist went to Alex Laferriere.

Foegele scored his second at 11:36, tipping a shot from Brandt Clarke just below the blue line. Laferriere also got an assist.

At the end of the first period, the Sharks had been outshot 17-7, but they had not been short-hamded yet. They did get two power plays.

Mikael Granlund got the Sharks on the board with a power play goal at 10:05 of the second period. Catching a pass from Jack Thompson, Granlund put the puck in the top corner with a wrist shot. Alexander Wennberg also got an assist.

In the second period, the Sharks took two penalties and had two power plays. The shots were even at seven each.

Granlund scored a second power play goal in the final minute of the game with a wrist shot from above the faceoff circle. Assists went to Thompson and Wennberg.

The Sharks next play on Saturday against the Golden Knights in Las Vegas at 7:00 PM PT.

Timberwolves Randall and Edwards spoil Kings opener 117-115 at Golden One

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Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) takes a jump shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte Divincezo (0) during first half action at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sat Oct 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2024

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California

Minnesota Timberwolves 117 (1-1)

Sacramento Kings 115 (0-1)

Attendance: 18,049

By Stephen Ruderman

SACRAMENTO–The Kings held the lead for most of the game on opening night, but each time they seemed poised to pull away, the Timberwolves came right back, and they ended up winning a 117-115 thriller to give the Kings a brutal loss to open the 2024-2025 season.

The Kings opened their 40th season in Sacramento in front of a sold-out crowd at Golden 1 Center. The Timberwolves were playing their second game of the season after they dropped their season opener Tuesday night in Los Angeles to the Lakers 110-103.

The crowd was into it from the getgo. The Kings felt that energy, and jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. Domantas Sabonis was fouled and hit one of two from the line, and DeMar DeRozan hit a layup. Sabonis was then fouled again, and this time, hit both from the line.

The Timberwolves then scored eight unanswered points, thanks to threes by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Minnesota’s eight unanswered points also set the theme of this game in motion

The Kings scored nine unanswered points of their own to take a 14-8 lead. After Keegan Murray’s fadeaway jumper gave the Kings the lead with 8:47 remaining in the first of the quarter, they would hold that lead the rest of the quarter. Minnesota made it close a couple of times, but the Kings led 32-29 at the end of one.

Malil Monk, and De’Aaron Fox, the Kings’ points leader in each of the last four seasons, each scored nine.

DeRozan hit a jumper in the first minute of the second quarter, and Murray was fouled and hit both from the line over a minute later to give Kings a 36-29 lead. After Sabonis hit the first of two from the line with 6:35 to go, the Kings’ lead was 48-40.

However, the Timberwolves went on an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 51-50 lead. The Kings outscored Minnesota 9-4 over the remainder of the quarter, and they went into the half with a 59-55 lead.

The Kings came out of the gate strong in the third quarter, as they extended their lead to 81-69 with 6:22 to go. However, just like their eight-point lead in the second quarter, their 12-point lead was completely erased, and the Timberwolves retook the lead. Minnesota went on a 20-7 run to go into the fourth quarter up 89-88.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings started off with a 9-2 run to take a 97-91 lead with 8:57 to go. The run was capped off by a three by Murray, who after only scoring two points in the first quarter, really came alive later in the game.

Unfortunately, the Kings could not escape the overall theme of this game, as the Timberwolves went on a 14-2 run in just under three minutes to take a 105-99 lead, their biggest of the night.

This time, the Kings were the ones looking to come back, and they certainly made a game of it late. DeRozan was fouled and hit both shots from the line, and Sabonis slammed one down to make it 105-103 with 5:34 to go.

Naz Reid hit a hook shot, and Donte DiVincenzo hit a three ball to extend Minnesota’s lead back to five at 110-105, but the Kings kept coming. Sabonis hit a three with 4:15 left to make it 110-108, and the crowd at Golden 1 Center erupted.

Monk was fouled and hit the second of two free throws to tie the game at 112-112 with 2:20 left. Edwards made a jumper to put Minnesota back ahead with 1:28 to go, but Monk tied it on a layup with 53 seconds left. Monk was fouled on the play, and he hit his shot from the line to put the Kings back ahead.

Rudy Gobert was fouled with 38 seconds left, and he hit one of two to tie it at 115-115. The Kings then caught a bad break with 26 seconds to go. The ball went out of play, and from the replays, the Sacramento faithful seemed to think that it would be the Kings’ ball, but after review, the referees determined that the ball would go to Minnesota.

Chants of “REFS YOU SUCK!!!!!” rang throughout Golden 1 Center, and it’s all the fans could really do at that point. The Timberwolves ran down the clock, and when Edwards went in for a layup with two seconds to go, he was fouled.

Edwards hit both from the line to put the Timberwolves back ahead 117-115, and the Kings called timeout, so they could inbound the ball closer to the bucket. Keegan Murray got the ball and took an off-balance shot from beyond the arc, but it fell short, and the Timberwolves won 117-115.

Really, three guys carried the Timberwolves to victory Thursday night. Julius Randle scored 33 points; Anthony Edwards scored 32; and Naz Reid scored 19.

Despite scoring nine points in the first quarter, Fox only scored six more the rest of the way for a total of 15. DeRozan led the Kings Thursday night with 26 points, and he was followed up by Sabonis and Murray, who scored 24 and 23 respectively. Monk didn’t start, but he ended up scoring 17.

The Kings start off 0-1, and they will head down to Los Angeles to play the Lakers Saturday night. Tipoff from Crypto.com Arena will be at 7:30 p.m.