Murray Shines As Kings Finish Off Spurs In San Antonio 140-113; Sabonis, Fox, and Monk all score 22 each

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) gets fired up against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Fri Dec 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Sacramento Kings (11-13) took on the San Antonio Spurs (11-11) winning the game 140-113 and evening the score after the team had lost to the Spurs last Sunday. The starters had a tremendous effort and Keegan Murray finished the game with 17 points and three rebounds.

It is only one game but Murray has certainly taken a step in the right direction. Sabonis had another double double with 22 points and 16 rebounds. The three musketeers Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk all scored 22 points each.

Game recap: The Spurs got a great start leading 28-19 with three minutes left in the first 12 minutes of play. After a King’s timeout, Sacramento went to work to tie up this game at 33 and we had ourselves a ball game. The Kings made up the deficit in record time and were looking to keep it up going into the second quarter.

The Kings took a 37-33 lead in the opening minute of the second quarter but it dissolved as the Spurs took back the lead. Three minutes into the quarter the score was tied at 40 and this game had all the signs of a real battle as the lead see-sawed back and forth.

The quarter got even more interesting when the Spurs Zach Collins was ejected from the game with a personal foul. With the Spurs down two players, Wembanyama who was out with lower back soreness and then Collins with the ejection Sacramento went on to take a 48-40 lead spurred by a Keon Ellis shot from downtown.

Four King bench players were getting in on the action and had 14 points through 1 1/2 quarters. Sacramento outscored the Spurs in the second quarter 36-26 and led at the half 69-59. The Kings protected the ball well in the first half coming away with six turnovers and were shooting well in the field at 56%. Sabonis was on the edge of another double double with nine rebounds and 13 points. DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk also had double digits in the first half. They would need to play with the same energy in the second half and would be looking to extend their lead.

The Kings did indeed take the momentum from the first half into the third quarter. After three Sacramento had extended their halftime lead to 110-86. Every starter had double digits, Sabonis had his double double and the best of all, Keegan Murray had 12 points.

Sacramento would have to tighten up to finish off the Spurs in the fourth quarter. The Kings only had six turnovers through three quarters which was another plus that could help lead them to a win over San Antonio.

The Kings had a tremendous start in the fourth quarter and held a 20 point lead at 9:23 111-91. Kevin Huerter had been spotless from downtown going 4 of 4. As the clock wore down on the game Sacramento had taken a 130-109 lead. Every starter for the Kings was having a banner game and Sacramento had evened the score after the loss to the Spurs last Sunday 140-113.

Sacramento got some great offense from the King’s starters every one of them shooting double digits. DeRozan had the high for the team with 23 points. Sabonis, Fox and Monk each had 22 points.

Murray broke out of his funk scoring 17 points with six rebounds. It is only one game but it is sure a step in the right direction for Murray. The team only had 11 turnovers and shot 56% from the field. It was a badly needed win for Sacramento. Huerter was perfect from downtown hitting four shots and finished with 16 points off the bench.

Game notes: Western Conference battle last Tuesday evening, the Kings went onto lose to the Memphis Grizzlies 115-110 Thursday night and so it was back to the drawing board. The Kings were struggling dropping seven of their last ten games but managed a big win in San Antonio Friday night.

Something was going terribly wrong with this team but they seemed to have shaken it off on Friday with that outpouring of scoring. The talent on the team is undeniable as they got some answers against the Spurs.

Friday night they played in San Antonio taking on a team that beat them last Sunday 127-125 and got a little payback. They were riding a rocky road before Friday’s game. Along for the ride is Murray who had also struggled but scored 17 points against the Spurs.

Murray has fought through his miserable streak. The Kings had hoped that Murray was potentially a breakout player in this 2024-25 season. Murray had gone five straight games without a free throw in fact he has not gotten to the line in 11 of his last 12 games previous to Friday.

When the Kings signed DeRozan the thought was that DeRozan’s presence would open up some great looks for Murray. At age 24, Murray has gotten looks but his accuracy was not been very good but Friday he finished third in scoring.

Last season Murray had a 15 points per game average which is hardly the case this year he hopes after this game Friday he might have corrected that. He has been on a roll defensively and there is the hope and he was able to play some catch up Friday.

The Kings now return home to Sacramento to take on the Utah Jazz Sunday evening looking to start a string of wins; something they have not seen for awhile now. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Orlando Cepeda Day in Puerto Rico  (Exclusive to Sports Radio Service)

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Orlando Cepeda Day in Puerto Rico on Fri Dec 6, 2024 was an opportunity for the people of Puerto Rico to pay tribute to the former St Louis Cardinal and San Francisco Giant who passed away on Jun 28, 2024 (photo image by Multinacional de Seguros)

Orlando Cepeda Day in Puerto Rico  (Exclusive to Sports Radio Service)

Amaury Pi-González

December 6, 2025 —Orlando Cepeda Day

Hiram Bithorn Stadium San Juan, Puerto Rico

Orlando’s family and friends, and thousands of fans will gather to honor one of the greatest players to ever play in the Major Leagues. Orlando “Peruchín”Cepeda

Orlando Cepeda   “Success is not given to you, it is earned, you have to work very hard to achieve it”.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings tip off against Spurs tonight

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (left) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson (13) battle for the basketball in second half action at FedEX Arena in Memphis on Thu Dec 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The Memphis Grizzlies Marcus Smart scored 18 points and his last two free throws put it to bed for Memphis 115-110 over the visiting Sacramento Kings.

#2 The Grizzlies Desmond Bane contributed with 18 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama each scored 15 points. Aldama also added 10 rebounds.

#3 DeMar DeRozan led the Kings in scoring with 26 points while Malik Monk had 23 points, DeAaron Fox had 18 and Domantas Sabonis had 17 points and 13 rebounds.

#4 Jeremiah anytime you have 20 lead changes and lose it has to be frustrating for the Kings after they had put together a big win against the Rockets on Tuesday night in Houston.

#5 The Kings head to San Antonio where they tip off with the Spurs Friday night. The Spurs have lost their last two games and are 8-5 at home. The Kings hope to recoup for their loss against Memphis.

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Rangers deal Trouba to Ducks; Blackhawks fire Richardson replace him with Sorenson; Lowry gets game winner for Jets over Sabres 3-2; plus more news

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Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) dukes it out with former New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov 30, 2024. Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on Fri Nov 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 New York Rangers traded Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Urho Vaakainen. Trouba was held out for a couple game previous to the trade.

#2 The Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson fired head coach Luke Richardson. Richardson had gone 57-118-15 in three years and was 8-16-2 for the last place Blackhawks. Davidson hired interim head coach Anders Sorenson who becomes the first Swedish born head coach in NHL history. Sorenson was the Blackhawks AHL affiliate head coach with the Rockford Ice Hogs.

#3 The Winnipeg Jets Adam Lowry scored a game winning goal in the overtime stanza as the Jets defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 at Key Bank Center in Buffalo on Thursday night. The Jets Josh Morrissey hit a rebound towards Lowry who shot it past the right post.

#4Former San Jose Shark and Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan after nine seasons with the Pens will coach his 700th game on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This season is Sullivan’s 21st year as a head coach in the NHL.

#5 The Montreal Canadiens picked up their second straight win defeating the Nashville Predators in a shutout 3-0. The Habs Patrik Laine scored in his second straight game and Habs goaltender Sam Montembeault saved 29 shots for the shutout.

# 6 The Edmonton Oilers Zach Hyman scored twice in his return from the injured list, teammate Connor McDavid got four assists defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3. “It was nice to get ‘Hysey’ back,” McDavid said. “It was nice to create some chances. I thought ‘Nuge’ (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) played well, as well. When you’ve got three guys playing well, it’s fun out there.”

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

Composed Cal Women Hold Off No. 19 Alabama 69-65, Improve to 8-1

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Doing something once could be an aberration. Doing it repeatedly, intentionally, and forcefully is difficult but draws positive attention.

That description fits the Cal women and defines their 8-1 start to the season, which now includes a groundbreaking win over No. 19 Alabama in the ACC-SEC Challenge.

The Bears–much like a cross-country flight–have arrived. After nine games, they can say they’ve developed a method to win games that works. Combine that with being nearly completely healthy and having room for more contributors and growth over the entire season makes for a bright picture.

Thursday was a great win but also an opportunity to acknowledge the faith the Bears have shown in each other just to get them to this point.

“Doing it with people you love, and people you enjoy doing it with it’s a lot of fun,” Marta Suarez said. “It’s a great feeling for sure.”

Coach Charmin Smith, who has held the whole program together for six years despite tremendous odds caused by frequent losses and rough results, lifted the moment after the final horn on the microphone to the departing crowd. 

“See you at the next one. You know who’s next,” she said, reminding everyone that Stanford visits a week from Friday.

Smith was brief, needing to say just a little, and noticeably emotional. Good stuff, and not only for people who compare coaches’ exhortations.

Suarez became effusive when asked about the team’s growing chemistry and their uncanny knack for getting the ball to the hot hand a high rate.

“We are intentional about it. We have conversations about it. We try to get to know each other better. We try to be there for each other. It’s not something that just happens,” Suarez said. “The coaches do a good job recruiting and taking care of that culture. ‘Who are we bringing in? How do they fit with the pieces we have?'”

“We’re intentional about it, and we’re proud about it.”

Thursday’s game turned immediately after halftime when the Bears got hot, hitting 10 of their 13 shots to grab a lead after trailing 34-26. Alabama briefly regained the lead to start the fourth, but Ioanna Krimili’s three on which she was fouled produced a four-point play. The Bears never trailed again over the final six minutes.

Kayla Williams led Cal with 21 points, six rebounds, and a bunch of smart decisions that kept the offense humming after halftime. Smith pointed to Michelle Onyiah’s presence after she was limited by foul trouble in the first half. With Onyiah operating around the basket, things opened things up for Suarez, who finished with 16 points, six assists.

“It was a great game for Marta on both ends of the floor. And then Kayla making plays, hitting dagger threes and responding. These guys didn’t hang their heads, and they responded. That’s the true sign of winners,” Smith said.

Zaay Green tied her season-best with 28 points to lead Alabama. Coach Kristy Curry pointed to reserve Diane Collins’ absence impacting the Tides’ rotation, which saw four starters play 38 minutes, not including starting post Essence Cody, who played 32 minutes but was under the weather.

“Cal made a few more plays,” Curry said. “They’re a really good team. They’re a veteran team. I love how they shoot the basketball. They have a great inside presence, so really balanced one through five.”

The Bears travel to Pacific on Saturday afternoon to face Pacific at 2:00p.m.

Kings Stumble In Fourth Quarter – Lose to Grizzlies 115-110

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Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) finished with 23 points but it wasn’t enough to beat the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum in Memphis on Thu Dec 5, 2024 (Sacramento Kings X photo)

The Sacramento Kings (10-13) were tied with the Memphis Grizzlies (15-8) going into the fourth quarter Thursday night 86 apiece. They had slim leads throughout the fourth quarter until the four minute mark. Memphis turned the tables taking slim one or two point leads for the remainder of the game.

With three minutes left in the game the Grizzlies took a five point lead 108-103. Memphis held onto that lead for the rest of the game winning by the score of 115-110. It was another quiet night for Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray. DeMar DeRozan had the high score for the Kings with 26 points followed by Malik Monk with 23 points.

Game recap: Thursday night the Kings took on the Grizzlies at FedExForum. The Kings are coming off an impressive win over the Houston Rockets last Tuesday night winning that contest 120-111. After that terrible losing streak, this win over Houston was hopefully a turning point for the team.

All five starters had double digits along with Kevin Huerter and Isaac Jones off the bench. It was a great win for the team. They were looking to take that confidence into Memphis and celebrate two wins in a row. The Grizzlies come into this game on a losing note dropping their last game to the Mavericks Tuesday night.

As this game unfolded, the opening quarter could not have been closer with the Grizzlies leading after the first 12 minutes of play 33-32. The Grizzlies were looking to win their seventh straight game at home. The second quarter was equally as close with the two teams deadlocked at 30. At the half, Memphis had a one point lead 63-62.

The two teams would finish the third quarter tied at 86 and this was anybody’s game. The game would continue with countless lead changes and ties and so it all came down to the fourth quarter.

The Kings led throughout most of the fourth quarter albeit by only a few points. They led going into the final three minutes and that is when the Grizzlies turned the tables on them. For the remainder of the game the Grizzlies had a slim lead although the Kings got within two points but could not overtake Memphis.

The Grizzlies Marcus Smart hit a couple of free throws with 2.9 seconds left in the game to clinch the win for Memphis. There had been 20 lead changes and 11 ties in this crazy game. The Grizzlies had won their seventh home game in a row. Sacramento came away with a disappointing loss.

Sacramento had a 16-9 edge on offensive rebounds. They got some great offensive effort from DeMar DeRozan who finished with 26 points and Malik Monk who scored 23 points but fell short in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

They needed just a bit more especially since Memphis had 22 turnovers and with 6:45 left in the final quarter Ja Morant was hit with a pair of technicals which earned him an ejection. He was obviously frustrated finishing the game 2 for 13 missing all six of his three-point attempts. This was a tough one for the King who have now lost seven of nine games.

Game notes: Thursday night the Kings took on the Grizzlies at FedExForum. The Kings are coming off an impressive win over the Houston Rockets last Tuesday night winning that contest 120-111. After terrible losing streak, this win over Houston was hopefully a turning point for the team. All five starters had double digits along with Kevin Huerter and Isaac Jones off the bench.

It was a great win for the Kings. They were hoping to take that confidence into Memphis and celebrate two wins in a row but just couldn’t pull it off with a loss. The Grizzlies came into this game on a losing note dropping their last game to the Mavericks Tuesday night.

Friday night, the Sacramento Kings will take on Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. The Kings lost a close one to San Antonio last Sunday 127-125. Wembanyama scored 34 points in that game and will looking to pin another loss on the Kings Friday night. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Lightning Scorch Sharks 8-1, Score Five in First period

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Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg (78) knocks the puck away from San Jose Sharks Ty Dellandrea (53) in first period action at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay on Thu Dec 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks were defeated 8-1 by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Cam Atkinson, Conor Geekie, Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel, Anthony Cirelli, Nick Perbix, and Nick Paul scored for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 20 saves for the win. Alexander Wennberg scored for San Jose. Vitek Vanecek made 7 saves in the first period. Mackenzie Blackwood made 20 saves in the second and third periods.

The Sharks gave up a stunning five goals in the first period. The Lightning outshot the Sharks in the period, but not by an enormous margin (12-9). “Not a great start. I don’t know, we didn’t play to our identity tonight at all. We kind of took our foot off the gas on a lot of little things,” said Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro. Of the team’s defensive woes, Ferraro said “I feel like most of it was the chances we gave up were sort of grade A, some shots from the point. So it has a lot to do with our box-outs and then when we recover the puck to be able to get the puck out. “

Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky described the game as a reality check: “When you don’t skate, and you don’t compete against really good hockey teams or any team in the National Hockey League, this is what’s going to happen.”

Cam Atkinson tipped in a shot from Conor Geekie 1:26 into the game. Geekie took a pass from Atkinson at the Sharks blue line, then carried the puck in and scored on the blocker side at 7:29. Victor Hedman also got an assist on that goal. That second goal triggered a flurry of three goals in less than 90 seconds.

Brandon Hagel scored at 8:32. Shortly after an offensive zone faceoff, Hagel caught a pass from Jake Guentzel on the blue line. He skated in front of the goal and then backhanded the puck in. Ryan McDonagh got a secondary assist.

Brandon Hagel scored again just 23 seconds later. This time he carried the puck in from the blue line, skated across in front of the goal to the other side before backhanding the puck in. Erik Cernak got an assist.

Jake Guentzel made it 5-0 with a power play goal at 17:45 of the first period. Guentzel tipped in a shot from Victor Hedman with Brayden Point picking up an assist as well.

The Sharks changed goaltenders after the first period, putting Blackwood in net.

Anthony Cirelli made it 6-0 at 4:16 of the second period. He tipped a shot from Ryan McDonagh and Brayden Point picked up another assist.

Nick Perbix made it 7-0 at 18:32. Brayden Point pass the puck up out of the faceoff circle to Perbix high in the slot. Perbix scored with a wrist shot. Point and Emil Lilleberg got the assists.

Alexander Wennberg scored the only Sharks goal 14 seconds into the third period. Fabian Zetterlund carried the puck into the zone, then found Wennberg with a pass in the faceoff circle. Wennberg carried it across the slot and scored with a wrist shot. Assists went to Zetterlund and Jan Rutta.

Nick Paul made it 8-1 at 6:01 of the third. Paul caught a cross-ice pass from Brayden Point, then skated in to score with a backhand shot. Point and J..J. Moser got the assists.

The Sharks next play on Saturday in Sunrise against the Panthers at 3:00 PM PT.

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal tip off against Cal Saturday at noon in Berkeley

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Stanford Cardinal guard Oziyah Sellers (4) drives on Utah Valley Wolverines guard Kylin Green (3) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Tue Dec 4, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal’s Jaylen Blakes led with 18 points and had a career high of six rebounds, four assists, and three steals and is in the top ten in the nation with with free throws.

#2 Oziyah Sellers scored 15 points while going 6-11 shooting and Maxime Raynaud scored 14 points and tied his career high in rebounds with 17.

#3 Stanford’s defense held the Utah Valley Wolverines to just 36.9 points and 29.4 from behind the three point arc.

#4 The Cardinal who were down by six points down 12-6 in the first 4:45 of the game came back 12-3 and got scoring from Blakes, Sellers, and Raynaud for the 77-63 win at Maples Pavilion.

#5 It’s the basketball version of the Big Game this Saturday at Cal for a 12pm PST tip off. The Cardinal are 7-2 and are 1-0 on the road. The Bears are 6-2 and are 5-0 at home. Michael how do you see this match up Saturday at 12 noon at UC Berkeley.

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s most expensive player; Severino signs 3 year deal worth $67 million

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Former New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino signs with the Sacramento A’s for three years in a deal worth $67 million on Thu Dec 5, 2024 (AP file photo)

A’s most expensive player

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Ex-New York Yankee pitcher Luis Severino agreed to a 3-year, $67 million contract with the Oakland A’s. The A’s made franchise history with their most expensive signing. This surpasses Eric Chávez’s 2004 contract of 6 years and $66 million in 2004.

Severino, a nine-year veteran born in the Dominican Republic, will become the number one starter for the A’s rotation in 2025. Luis Severino’s best season with the Yankees was 2018, when he ended with a 19-8 record and 3.39 ERA, starting 31 games and 191 innings.

Other popular Latino players with the A’s,(Cubans both) José Canseco had a five year contract with Oakland A’s for $23 million and Yoenis Céspedes, who began his career in Oakland, but made all his money later with other teams specially signing a $110 million deal with the New York Mets. He was a very popular player with Oakland A’s fans, but for some inexplicable reason(maybe money) the A’s let him go.

Severino is an  established pitcher who the team hopes can help other younger pitchers to support a good nucleus of young players. Some of those younger position players have been mentioned by other teams, but the A’s want to keep them as a winning group.

The A’s were interested in pitcher Walker Buehler from the LA Dodgers, but according to manager Mark Kotsay, Buehler did not show much interest leaving the World Champion Dodgers going to Sacramento. The deal would surpass the club’s previous most lucrative contract it gave out to Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez in 2004

A’s have financial house in order, ready to come up with $1.75 billion for ballpark construction costs

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Las Vegas ballpark rendering. A’s are hoping for completion of stadium in April 2028 opening day. (AP file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman and Jerry Feitelberg

In a meeting Thursday with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority the Sacramento A’s soon to be the Las Vegas A’s in 2028 have come up with the financing of their share of the construction costs to pay for their Tropicana Las Vegas Strip ballpark which should be ready to go opening day 2028.

The Las Vegas Authority is expected to approve a 30 years lease on the A’s non relocation and development that consisted of four documents that should be the last step to clear the way to get shovels in the ground at the intersection of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd.

Clark County will continue to discuss a develop agreement otherwise the target to begin groundbreaking in spring 2025. Both Clark County and the State of Nevada are going forward with SB1 public funding for the ballpark at the cost of $380 billion, the A’s say they will spend $350 million to build the 30,000 seat armadillo looking ballpark.

The State of Nevada will not spend the $380 million until the A’s have put in $100 million. So for the A’s have invested $40 million. The deadline to meet the construction costs for the A’s share was due Thursday which they cleared in their meeting with the Stadium Authority.

Sandy Dean an A’s executive whose been a spokesman for owner John Fisher at previous Stadium Authority meetings said that Fisher’s family have increased their construction pledge to $1.1 billion. Dean said that Goldman Sachs and U.S. Bank will loan the A’s $300 million towards the development.

The four documents that Dean presented to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority are: #1 A loan commitment from both banks. #2 Fisher and his family have the ability to meet their financial pledge. #3 The commitments to Athletics StadCo LLC, an entity created to handle the private capital investment. #4 U.S. Bank’s review of the owner’s finances backs up that Fisher has the money in place.

Stephen Ruderman and Jerry Feitelberg cover A’s baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com