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That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: How Soderstrom strengthens Sac’s outfield; A’s shore infield with McNeil signing plus more news

Published on December 30, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s left fielder Tyler Soderstrom who signed for a seven year $86 million deal is looking to add some pop in the A’s line up and a solid glove in left field (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury just wanted to get your take on the Sacramento A’s signing Tyler Soderstrom on Monday for $86 million a seven year deal and the contract could max out at $131 million. Soderstrom in 2025 hit .276, 25 home runs and drove in 93 RBIs.

#2 The A’s also had acquired utilityman Jeff McNeil in a trade with the New York Mets. The Mets are making deals to add players to their roster. McNeil cones with right hand pitcher Yordan Rodriguez and $5.75 million the Mets share of McNeil’s $15.75 million salary for 2026. The Mets also agreed to pay McNeil’s $2 million buyout if Sacramento doesn’t exercise his 2027 club option.

#3 Former A’s outfielder JJ Bleday has signed a $4.1 million one year contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Bleday hit .212, 14 home runs, with 39 RBIs with Sacramento last season. Bleday’s average dropped from the 2024 season when he hit .242, 20 home runs and 60 RBIs which was a career best.

#4 Amaury, let’s take a look at Baseball Hall of Fame candidates for the class of 2026 amongst them on the ballot leading the way is former San Francisco Giant Carlos Beltran who fell just short in the last election in 2025 with 70.3% of the vote, former Atlanta Brave outfielder Andruw Jones with 66.2%. How do you see Beltran and Jones chances for the next election?

#5 Finally turning to football San Francisco 49er play by play announcer Greg Papa’s expected return back to the booth last Sunday night at Levi Stadium was put on hold as Papa is in remission after he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia back on July 16th. Papa is still having spells of brain fog, dizziness, blurred vision, that forced his return to be put on hold. Papa has been the 49ers play by play announcer since 2019. Papa was also a play by play announcer for the then Oakland A’s from 1993 to 2003 doing TV.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

Utah Mammoth game wrap: Stamkos Sparks Predators 4-3 Comeback Win Over Mammoth

Published on December 29, 2025December 29, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Alex Kerfoot (15) and the Utah Mammoth played a tight game against the Nashville Predators but couldn’t seal the deal in a one goal loss at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City (Utah Mammoth X photo)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Utah began the scoring in each of the three periods, but Nashville drew even each time before taking the only lead they would need with a 4-3 win.

The Utah Mammoth (18-18-3) closed out 2025 at home on Monday night against the visiting Nashville Predators (16-17-4). Prior to the Christmas break, Utah lost a tough road game in Colorado in which backup goaltender Vítek Vaněček, who unexpectedly started in place of Karel Vejmelka who injured himself earlier in the morning, held the Avalanche to a single goal, but the Mammoth offense was completely shut down by the Colorado defense in the 1-0 loss.

Making history for the Mammoth in that game was the signing of Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG) Colten McIntyre to a professional tryout contract. McIntyre is the first Utah-born and raised player to suit up for the franchise and sit on the team bench in the event that Vaněček should also go down.

Though his services weren’t required in the game, it was a memorable experience for the 21-year-old Park City native who won three state championships playing for Park City High School. Prior to the puck drop in Colorado, the Mammoth had McIntyre skate a lap around the rink in recognition of his roster appearance.

As a full-time practice goalie for Utah, McIntyre is already well acquainted with facing NHL-level shots on goal, and his teammates and coaching staff gave him tons of encouragement and support heading into the game. After Monday morning’s practice, McIntyre told the media that he had been kicking back in the bathtub of his Denver hotel room, watching “Scooby Doo,” when he received word that he would be suiting up. He quickly got ready, caught an Uber to Ball Arena, and signed his professional tryout agreement which permitted him to don the Mammoth jersey and join the team.

Nashville provided Utah with an early power play opportunity in the first period when Nicolas Hague went to the sin bin for high-sticking against Barrett Hayton at 4:56. The Mammoth cashed it in with Clayton Keller sending the puck to Dylan Guenther near the goal crease, who immediately passed it across to the opposite side of the net where JJ Peterka’s stick was waiting to bang the puck in for his 15th of the season.

The Predators would even things up by the halfway mark of the period on Roman Josi’s 4th goal of the season, assisted by Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos. The two squads finished the period knotted up at 1-1, with Juuse Saros stopping 10 of 11 shots for Nashville, and Vaněček turning away 6 of 7.

At 3:41 of the second period, Utah defenseman Mikhail Sergachev smashed a trademark laser line drive from the blue line past Saros for his 5th goal of the season, assisted by Nick Schmaltz and Sean Durzi, to put the Mammoth ahead 2-1.

That lead didn’t last long, with Predators forward Luke Evangelista finding the back of the net four minutes later with his 6th goal of the season, assisted by Tyson Jost and Nick Blankenburg. Once again, both teams went to the locker room at the period break with a tie score. Saros stopped 9 of 10 Utah shots, while Vaněček turned away 8 of 9.

Just over four minutes into the third period, Dylan Guenther continued the succession of early goals in a period with his 17th of the season, a sweet backhand past the outstretched arms of Saros to put the Mammoth ahead 3-2, assisted by Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton.

Nashville, in turn, continued their succession of responding to Utah’s offensive efforts with a goal of their own. With Utah forward Kevin Stenlund in the penalty box for slashing against Forsberg, future Hall of Famer Steven Stamkos netted his 16th of the season with just over eight minutes remaining the game, assisted by Ryan O’Reilly and Evangelista.

Barely a minute and a half later, Stamkos struck again at short range to beat Vaněček with his 17th, assisted again by O’Reilly as well as Nick Perbix, to give the Predators their first lead of the game at 4-3. Nashville opened the door for a potential Mammoth comeback committing two penalties in the closing minutes, but Utah was unable to convert the opportunities as Saros stood tall in net for the Predators. With the loss, Vaněček’s record in the crease falls to 2-9-1.

In the Mammoth locker room, Mikhail Sergachev said, “I thought we played better for most of the game. We were sloppy on the PK, and the last goal there cost us the game I think. We’ve got to be more focused in those crucial moments in the game.” Sergachev, known for being a fierce competitor, said that the team needs more fight. “We were in the fight,” Sergachev opined. “I feel like we got down on ourselves because we gave up a goal. We were up, and we thought we were going to win. Just got a little too high and didn’t defend twice there and you know, the puck (got) in the back of the net.” Talking about how to put teams away when defending a 3rd period lead, Sergachev said, “you have to learn from your mistakes and not repeat them. That’s what we got to do. We know what the problem is. We just have to work through it. There’s gonna be some lapses and stuff, but we gotta get into it and play much better there in the crucial last 10 minutes of the game.”

Responding to the question of what he wants to see from the team moving forward, said, “I think just execution. Honestly, I thought we outplayed them. They had a little bit of a push there when we went out. But I think just execution all over the ice. When you get a chance, score, pass on the tape, and just bear down. … I know we had a few days off or whatever, but I feel like there’s not that much time to waste. Every game is important, so (we need to) make sure that we’re bearing down.”

A somber Utah Mammoth Head Coach André Tourigny opened his remarks to the media by saying, “A tough, tough result. Frustrating. We played really well for the long stretch of the game at five-on-five, on our power play, even on our PK. Our one mistake, a big mistake on the PK there, the broken stick was four-on-four. We should have been more aggressive, and we gave an opportunity for them to have a clean look from the slot, so that’s unfortunate. Other than that, five-on-five, I think we did a really good job defensively, but we need to find a way in key situations and key moments and when push comes to shove, to be better.” Pointing to the positive aspects of the game, Bear commented, “We doubled them in scoring chances, so we did a lot of good. I think it would be nitpicking if I go and say ‘a little bit more of this, a little bit more of that.’ At the end of the day, I guess we doubled them at five-on-five and special teams. There’s a matter of getting opportunistic, scoring big goals in key moments. I think in the third, we gave them two chances at five-on-five, one or two. They were opportunistic, and they found a way to get the two points. We need to learn from them.” While praising the team’s overall defense, Tourigny made no mention of the elephant in the room – the goaltender situation. If Vejmelka remains out of the lineup for any extended period of time, the Mammoth will need more victories from Vaněček or look into alternatives.

The Mammoth will ring in the new year in the Big Apple with a January 1st game against the New York Islanders followed by matches against the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers before returning to Delta Center to open a season-long seven game homestand beginning January 7 against the Ottawa Senators.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Baseball Notebook–Working with The Cruzer in Seattle

Published on December 29, 2025December 29, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Seattle Mariners Spanish broadcasters Julio The Cruzer Cruz (left) and Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) as heard on KBRO 1490 in Seattle/Bremerton and KNTB AM 1480 in Tacoma, Cruzer would say “Wow” to that. (photo by the Seattle Mariners magazine)

From My Baseball Notebook: Working with The Cruzer in Seattle

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Up in Seattle, during the years of Ichiro Suzuki, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martínez, and Félix Hernández, among others, I was paired with Julio “The Cruzer” Cruz on the team’s Spanish radio broadcast. Julio was the Seattle Mariners’ dream-team second baseman and the M’s original second baseman in 1977, the team’s first year in Seattle. Julio was truly a fan favorite in Seattle. He excelled at defense and was fast on the bases; he held the Mariners’ stolen-base record for years, until Ichiro Suzuki tied it and later broke it.

An affable man, born in Brooklyn, New York, of Puerto Rican descent, wore a smile at all times. I called most Mariners home games at Safeco Field, and when they went on the road, I flew south to San Francisco to call the Giants games in Spanish. I could not wait to go to Seattle to see Julio and talk baseball stories with him. I truly enjoyed every minute with Julio; he was genuine, humble, and just fun to be around. When we first started working together, he knew who I was because he was then a player with the Mariners, and I would interview him and others during batting practice before the games.

In Seattle, when Julio came up to the booth to work the games with me, I was his first broadcast partner, and I was lucky!. He was funny and inquisitive, and he loved the word “wow,” which he used frequently during our broadcast. He was the Mariners’ original second baseman from 1977 to 1983. The community in the Puget Sound area loves him. Julio Cruz passed in 2022 at age 67. During the early 2000s, we would work together. Together with our producer, Candace Oehler, we will forever remember the one and only Cruzer.

Inside the booth, Julio was funny and very curious about stats; he kept telling me he owned the team record for stolen bases. When Ichiro tied his record and later broke it, he was sad, but at the same time happy for Ichiro, whom he kept saying in the air, “wow, este hombre es increible” trans- “wow, this man is incredible”.Top Base Stealer in Mariners history- Ichiro Suzuki with 438 stolen bases for the team, ahead of Julio Cruz (290) and Harold Reynolds (228)in third place.

Julio is one of the few players I ever met who had two nicknames, “Cruzer” and “Juice”. According to Randy Adamack, former Seattle Mariners senior vice president, the nickname “Juice” came from Cruz’s constant “extra energy,” which was palpable to those around him. His former Chicago White Sox teammate Ron Kittle echoed this, saying, “You couldn’t find a more energetic guy… always full of energy.

Those were fun years working with Julio in Seattle, during his first years in the booth, in one of my favorite areas in the country, and in a place I was familiar with from my days serving in the US Army on active duty at Ft Lewis. Seattle is one of my favorite cities, and the Mariners are an excellent organization, top to bottom, with veterans of the game like the Mariners VP of Communications, Tim Hevly.

I know Julio Cruz is up in heaven, looking down, calling me and telling me, “Wow, Amaury, what are you doing!”

Note: During those years, we broadcast the games on KBRO 1490 in Seattle/Bremerton and KNTB AM 1480 in Tacoma, which at the time was part of the Christian Salem Communications group.

About nicknames: Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd on the origins of his name: “Someone caught us in a tin shed drinking Big Momma’s whiskey out of oil cans, so my friend Pap started calling me ‘Oil Can'”.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

Macklin Celebrini’s Three-Point Night Lifts Sharks to 5-4 Win Over Ducks

Published on December 29, 2025December 29, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Macklin Celebrini #71 of the San Jose Sharks skates during the third period of a game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on December 29, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

ANAHEIM — The San Jose Sharks were back in action on Monday night in Anaheim to take on the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. The Ducks were coming off a bad loss to their neighbors in Los Angeles as they fell to the Los Angeles Kings on Friday, 6-1. The Sharks were wrapping up the last of a three-game road trip that saw them make stops in Las Vegas and Vancouver prior to the journey to Anaheim. On Monday, two of the younger upstart teams in the NHL went head to head for the second time this season. The prior matchup that came early on in the schedule was an overtime victory by the Ducks in San Jose. The Sharks got their revenge on Monday, defeating the Ducks 5-4 in Anaheim.

In the first period, the initial 10 minutes were dominated by pressure from the Ducks. The Sharks were struggling to keep up with the pace the Ducks were playing with and spent very little time in their zone. The Ducks had nine shots compared to the Sharks’ three through 10 minutes; however, that turned in the back half of the period. At the 10:43 mark, Mario Ferraro tucked the puck into the net for his second goal of the season to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Alex Wennberg (18) and Adam Gaudette (6).

What transpired then was a travesty for the Sharks. Yaroslav Askarov played a puck behind the net, and as he was out of his crease, the puck was stolen and easily scored into the empty net as the Ducks tied the game at one apiece. It was an embarrassing blunder by a goaltender who is no stranger to that type of mistake, as he is prone to them with his aggressive style of goaltending. However, the Sharks quickly dusted themselves off and took the lead right back on a Macklin Celebrini goal at the 19:12 mark of the first period. Celebrini’s goal, which was his 21st of the season, was assisted by Alex Wennberg (19) and Tyler Toffoli (16). The Sharks led 2-1 at the end of the first, but the Ducks outshot them 14-7 overall.

In the second period, the Sharks continued to pour it on. The Sharks weren’t impressing much with shots on goal as they only had three all period, yet they managed two goals in the period. The first came courtesy of Igor Chernyshov on what was his second goal of his career at the 6:30 mark of the period. It was assisted by Macklin Celebrini (38) and Sam Dickinson (3). William Eklund would score the next goal for the Sharks, his 10th of the season, at the 12:17 mark of the period. Eklund’s goal was assisted by Macklin Celebrini as it put the Sharks up 4-1. The Ducks would get one more goal in the second period as the game would go to the third period with the Sharks leading 4-2. Shots on goal would remain sharply in the Ducks’ favor as they were outshooting the Sharks 27-10 through the first two periods of action.

In the third period, you just had a feeling the Ducks weren’t going to go away quietly.

Indeed, the Ducks came out in the third period and scored at the 3:07 mark to get an early goal and pull within one, making it a 4-3 game. Shortly after the goal, Macklin Celebrini took a puck off the face that deflected off a skate and went straight to the dressing room. He would return to the bench a few minutes later, right as the Sharks scored their fifth goal of the game to go up 5-3. The goal was scored by Zack Ostapchuk, which was his first goal of the season. Ostapchuk’s goal was assisted by Vincent Iorio (3) and Barclay Goodrow (5).

However, the Ducks weren’t done yet. They scored again as they pulled their goaltender to pull back within one goal and make it a 5-4 game. The Sharks then followed shortly after with a John Klingberg tripping penalty that gave the Ducks the man advantage with just over three minutes to go in the game. The Sharks were able to kill that penalty and defeated the Ducks by a 5-4 final.

The final shots on goal totals weren’t pretty, as the Ducks outshot the Sharks 42-13, but that didn’t worry head coach Ryan Warsofsky.

“As the shot counter was what it was, I didn’t really think our game was as bad as maybe the shot counter looked,” Warsofsky said after the game.

It was a big win for the Sharks, one that even just a year ago they most likely would have lost. As for Askarov’s early-game blunder, it wasn’t a sticking point with the Sharks’ head coach.

“He’s mentally tough. He’s a competitor. He doesn’t get rattled, and if you want to be a good goalie in this league, you can’t get rattled… when we needed him, he made the saves.”

Yet, Askarov was hard on himself postgame and on the standards he holds himself to.

“I was talking with myself before the game and I was like, ‘it’s the game when I have to start playing with the puck more…’ and that happened, and I was like, what a f—— idiot.”

In all the action that took place on Monday, Macklin Celebrini’s performance may have slipped under the radar. However, the dressing room was keenly aware of his performance and heaped praise on the young center.

Macklin finished the game with three points (one goal and two assists) and took a puck to the left under-eye before shortly returning to the bench. As Team Canada prepares to announce the remainder of its roster for Milan 2026 on Wednesday, there’s very little doubt in the minds of the Sharks that Macklin, a Vancouver native, will be selected.

“He has to be on that team,” William Eklund said after the game. “It would be weird otherwise.”

With the win, the Sharks improved to 19-17-3 with 41 points and moved two points up on the Seattle Kraken for the second wild card spot.

Up Next: The Sharks will return to San Jose to take on the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday at 1 p.m. PST inside SAP Center.

Curry leads Golden State with 27 points to defeat Brooklyn 120-107

Published on December 29, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Brooklyn Nets Egor Demin (8) fights for the basketball with the Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) in first half action at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Mon Dec 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

BROOKLYN, NY. — Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors (17-16) to a 120-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets (10-20) at Barclays Center on Monday night – while passing Kevin Garnett to reach No. 21 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Curry said he could speak about each player he has passed on the league’s career points leaderboard, but “at this stage it’s just all icons, all legends, all guys that I loved watching play, define the era that they played in”.

“So to pass those type of individuals and especially a guy like KD – I mean KG – a champ and what his career meant, is special for sure,” said Curry. “So each guy I pass, I’m honored.”

Curry finished with 27 points and Jimmy Butler with 21 to give the Warriors their fourth win in five contests, and snap the Nets’ three-game winning streak.

The Warriors had a lackluster first quarter and at one point were down by as many as 13 points. But they stayed in it and captured a 2-point lead at the half.

In the third quarter, Curry got into this rhythm and scored 10 straight points including two 3-pointers, a field goal and two free throws, to put Golden State up 89-85.

“They got off to such a hot start and kind of picked apart our zone. They made a couple of late 3’s, late shot clock 3’s early,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

“Once we switched to our man-to-man, we had pretty good attention on Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. even though both guys had it going a little but, I thought in the fourth quarter our attention to Porter Jr. in particular was really good.”

The Nets (10-20) went on a 8-0 run with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter and trailed 107-103 after Terance Mann made two of three free throws.

With less than a minute left in the game, Curry went to the free throw line and made the first to “MVP” chants – but surprisingly missed the second.

“Probably one of the few times that I had the MVP chant and I missed the last free throw, hitting the stride a little bit,” Curry joked.

“But I’m definitely grateful for it (MVP chants), it keeps you going, it picks you up even on a back-to-back when it might be a little bit tough to find some energy, for a road crowd to give you that, you feed off it, it’s special.”

Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 11 points and De’Anthony Melton had 10 to help boost the Warriors after their overtime loss to Toronto on Sunday.

“I think just with the back-to-back, just kind of gotta get yourself going,” said Jackson-Davis.

“I didn’t play last game so I felt like I could help bring the energy up, just go out there. It starts on the defensive end of the floor, so good stops and start running, and see if our teammates can build off that.”

The Warriors (17-16) are now 7-12 in away games. They continue on their three-game road trip on Wednesday, facing the Charlotte Hornets (11-21) at 10 a.m. PT.

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Uklavoic: Barracuda looking to right the ship after getting shutout by Ontario

Published on December 29, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Barracuda left wing Egor Afanasyev (11) gives chase of Ontario Reign defenseman Otto Stalin (10) in AHL action at Tech CU in San Jose on Sat Dec 27, 2025 (San Jose Barracuda X photo)

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 How do you assess San Jose’s offensive execution Saturday night, especially given that Barracuda forwards like Quentin Musty and Oliver Wahlstrom generated chances but weren’t able to convert? (referring to Musty and Wahlstrom as key Barracuda offensive names from the roster)

#2 Jakub Skarek faced 32 shots and ended up with the loss — what feedback do you have on his performance in net and how do you think the defense could have helped him more? (Skarek was the Barracuda goalkeeper Saturday night.

#3 Barracuda defensemen like Luca Cagnoni and Lucas Carlsson are important on the blue line — where do you see room for improvement in your defensive coverage against the Reign’s attack? (mentioning two Barracuda defenders)

#4 Cam Lund and Colin White have been contributors this season — what adjustments would they make moving forward after a scoreless night from both in this game? (referencing Barracuda forwards Lund and White)

#5 Next up it’s onto Ontario for the Reign again for New Year’s eve on Wednesday night at 6pm PT. The Reign gave them a battle shutting the Barracuda out last Saturday can the Barracuda get a better game next Wednesday?

Join Marko for the San Jose Barracuda podasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Tony Renteria: Raiders moving closer to number one pick Mendoza

Published on December 29, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The possible number one NFL draft pick that could go to the Las Vegas Raiders former Cal Bears and Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza seen here throwing a pass against Iowa on Sep 27, 2025 (AP News file photo)

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Las Vegas Raiders (2-14) defense just simply could not shut down the New York Giants (3-13) offense and quarterback Jaxson Dart who threw for 207 yards, 22-30.

#2 The Giants in the second and third quarters got plenty of scoring production with ten points in each of those quarters Dart scored two touchdowns as the Giants offense did all the work in the 34-10 win.

#3 The Raiders just couldn’t muster enough offense to make this a game. Raiders quarterback Geno Smith was 20-28 for 176 yards with one touchdown. For Smith was this a matter of not getting enough receiving yards to get some scores or the run game just couldn’t get enough yardage.

#4 Tony how much of an impact was the Giants defense in stopping the Raiders from attempting to put points on the board.

#5 With the loss the Raiders might be on their way to getting that first round draft pick out of the NFL draft in former Cal Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Join Tony Renteria podcasted the 2025 Raiders football season for the Raiders podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com. Join Tony next Tuesday for the Sacramento Kings podcast.

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason: LeBron and Doncic too much for Kings in loss in LA

Published on December 29, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) takes the ball away from the Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (left) and forward Doug McDermott (7) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sun Dec 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:

1 The Kings came into this game against the Los Angeles Lakers (20-10) Sunday night on a winning note and were looking to try and make it two in a row. This would be a major challenge for the Sacramento Kings (8-24) having to contain not one but two superstars the King LeBron James along with Luka Doncic.

2 Both teams came into this game short-handed but it was Sacramento who suffered the most with three starters unable to play in this game. How did this impact the game.

3 Luka Doncic along with LeBron James ruled the court from start to finish breaking the Kings from the get-go. They were both unstoppable.

4 Sacramento played catch-up the entire game, completely overwhelmed by the Lakers. Not only the Los Angeles starters impacted the game but also bench player Nick Smith Jr who had a banner day.

5 Next up for the Kings will be a another north vs south clash taking on the Clippers (10-21) Tuesday night. How will the Kings bounce back after this disappointing game last night.

Barbara Mason does the Sacramento Kings podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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Raynaud’s Growth a Bright Spot as Kings Fall to Lakers in Blowout Fashion 125-101

Published on December 28, 2025December 28, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Maxime Raynaud #42 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 28, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Exactly one year to the day, Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie coached his first game as the head coach of the Kings on December 28, 2024, taking over for the fired Mike Brown. The game was against the Lakers in Los Angeles, a contest the Kings lost 132-122. Fittingly, the Kings were back in Los Angeles exactly one year later to take on those same Lakers, one year removed from the shift in head coach and the storm that followed.

As you most likely know, the year following the promotion of Doug Christie has been all but sunshine and rainbows. The Kings have fallen to the bottom of the Western Conference without much of a visible path to success. However, the young additions of Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford during this past summer’s draft give the team hope of assembling another core — along with the extension of Keegan Murray.

I asked Doug before the game if the year mark since his first game as head coach meant anything more to him than any other ordinary game.

“Nah, every time I come to LA it’s the hallways, all that stuff. It’s a lot of memories here, but it really ain’t that. So it’s the Lakers, it’s the Kings. It’s a lot of fun.”

Well, I’m not sure how much fun it was given how the game progressed. The Lakers defeated the Kings 125-101 in blowout fashion at Crypto.com Arena.

In the first quarter, the Kings and Lakers traded baskets to open the game. DeMar DeRozan was getting whatever he wanted for the Kings, and the Lakers were facing very little resistance from the Kings’ defense. After a mandatory timeout at the 6:45 mark of the first, the Kings were up 13-12, with DeMar DeRozan accounting for eight of those points. The Lakers finished the quarter stronger than the Kings and managed to build a bit of separation going into the second quarter, outscoring Sacramento 22-11 over the final 5:15. LeBron James led the Lakers in scoring in the quarter, dropping 10 points in his first 8:18 of action.

Down 30-24 heading into the second quarter, the Lakers kept their foot on the gas against the Kings. In particular, Luka Doncic continued to score the ball at an elite clip. Luka added 15 points in the second quarter to bring his first-half total to 24 and lead the Lakers. Los Angeles outscored Sacramento 38-29 in the second quarter to take a commanding 68-53 lead into halftime. The Kings’ defense wasn’t providing enough resistance at the rim, as the Lakers had 34 points in the paint in the first half. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings in first-half scoring, dropping 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

Coming out of halftime, the Lakers went on a 13-2 run that forced Doug Christie to take two timeouts by the 8:31 mark of the quarter. The Kings’ defense was non-existent to start the period, and it wouldn’t get any better the rest of the third. The Kings couldn’t contain Luka and LeBron as they combined for 14 points in the quarter, while Nick Smith Jr. added eight points for the Lakers. Los Angeles outscored Sacramento 31-27 in the third quarter to take a 99-80 lead into the final period and all but squash any hopes the Kings had of a win.

In the final 12 minutes, the Lakers had already put the game away, and it became a matter of going through the motions. Down 19 entering the quarter, the Kings were outscored 26-21 and fell to Los Angeles 125-101 on Sunday night. Sacramento gave its best effort to hang around in the first half, but the third quarter proved too costly to overcome. The Kings were led in scoring by DeMar DeRozan, who finished with 22 points. On the other hand, the Lakers received a 34-point performance from Luka Dončić, followed by a 24-point outing from LeBron James.

After the game, Doug Christie stressed the importance of being a physical team and acknowledged that the Kings failed in that regard.

“We came in and just, we weren’t grabbing, holding, controlling,” Doug said after the game. “The level of physicality wasn’t to the level that we draw a line in the sand and say, this is what it’s going to be.”

On the bright side, Maxime Raynaud appears to be developing right in front of our eyes. The young center out of Stanford is slotting in nicely given his opportunity in the absence of Domantas Sabonis. On Sunday, Raynaud finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 80% from the field for the Kings. It’s a mature approach that has Doug Christie excited about what he has been seeing.

“…All of a sudden he found this little push shot,” Doug said after the game. “He’s aggressive when he’s open and has time. He shoots the three-pointer, which I’m totally OK with, but then I think you’re starting to see him pump fake, put it on the floor. He did it tonight, gets inside and shoots a nice little floater, and then he has playmaking ability.”

The development of Raynaud has been a surprise to some, but likely not the Kings, who selected him with their second-round pick behind Nique Clifford, who went in the first round.

It’s also not a surprise to Maxime, who credits much of his success to his point guards.

“I just think we have really good point guards that find spots really well. Just try to screen and roll to create space… It has been working pretty well, so I’m happy.”

In a season with not many bright spots, Maxime Raynaud’s development is shaping up to be a hopeful addition to the franchise.

Up next: The Kings will stay in Los Angeles to take on the Clippers on Tuesday at 8 p.m. PST inside Intuit Dome.

Kings Get Crushed by Luka Doncic and Lakers 125-101

Published on December 28, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings guard Luka Donic (77) takes a fade away shot against the Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) and guard Keon Ellis (23) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sun Dec 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday night the Sacramento Kings (8-24) took on the los Angeles Lakers (20-10). This game was fairly close after the first quarter but the Lakers continued to extend their lead as the game wore on.

The final was 125-101 a total domination by the Lakers. Los Angeles had as much as a 30 point lead in the game and Luka Doncic was unstoppable finishing with 34 points. The Kings played catch-up the entire game. The high scorer for the Kings tonight was DeMar DeRozan with 22 points.

Game recap: The Lakers got after it in the opening quarter of the game leading after the first 12 minutes of play 30-24. At halftime, the Lakers continued to extend their lead. They outscored the Kings 38-29 in the second quarter taking a 68-53 lead into the locker at the half.

Their 15 point lead at the half was their largest lead of the game so far. Luka Doncic was presenting all sorts of problems for Sacramento scoring 24 points in the opening half. LeBron James had 12 points and between James and Doncic were doing a fair amount of the heaving lifting.

Going into the second half, the Kings had to find a way to contain both James and Doncic. Sacramento’s percentage from the line was not at all impressive shooting at 67% especially since the Lakers were hitting 89% of their free throws.

Turnovers had been a problem for the Kings in the opening half already with 11 compared to the Lakers clean play with only four turnovers. The Lakers were cleaning up in the paint as well. Los Angeles was also dominating from beyond the arc. The Kings had a lot of work to do in the second half of this game and having to operate so terribly short-handed it would be an epic challenge for the team. The only Sacramento player in double digits in the first half was DeMar DeRozan.

This game continued on the same path in the third quarter with the Lakers pushing their lead further and further out. Four minutes into the quarter the Lakers had a 26-point lead 81-55. The Kings were so far behind the eight ball chances for a second win in a row were just about extinguished.

The Lakers continued to maintain at least a 20-point lead throughout the third quarter. Los Angeles had a vice-like grip on this game and showed little signs of letting up. With Doncic taking his 31 points into the fourth quarter he was dominating the game. The Lakers outscored the Kings in the third quarter 31-27 taking a 99-80 lead into the fourth.

The Lakers cruised through the fourth quarter taking as much as a 30 point lead. They outscored the Kings in the final quarter 23-19 and that was the ball game. The final was 125-101 in favor of Los Angeles. Luka Doncic finished the game with 34 points; he was unstoppable and alongside LeBron who had 24 points they simply dominated from start to finish. The Laker’s Nick Smith Jr. had a banner day off the bench scoring 21 points in 23 minutes. His play certainly impacted this game.

The Kings with their bevy of injured starters struggled from start to finish. They fell further and further behind with each quarter. DeMar DeRozan had the high for the team with 22 points. Maxime Raynaud had a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, certainly a bright spot in this game. Three bench players finished the game with 11 points apiece. Dennis Schroeder, Malik Monk and Nique Glifford accounted for 33 points of the 43 scored off the bench.

Game notes: After beating the Mavericks 113-107 Saturday night at home, the Kings jetted off to Los Angeles for a game against the Lakers (20-10) Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. This was a rough game for Sacramento having to contain not only LeBron James but also Luka Doncic and a host of offensive weapons in Dennis Ayton, Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura.

The Kings were really short-handed with Domantas Sabonis (Meniscus tear), Zach LaVine (left ankle sprain), Keegan Murray (right calf strain) and Devon Carter (left ankle sprain). This is nothing new for the Kings in fact the Kings has not played at full-strength all season.

Murray missed a slew of games to start the season and he is now out for more than likely a month. The Kings have been battling injury all season and along with less than stellar play on the court this team will no doubt look a whole lot different after the trade deadline has come and gone.

The Lakers will be missing the play of Austin Reeves expected to miss a month out with a left calf strain. The Lakers starting roster Saturday night still presented a major challenge for Sacramento.

Next up for the Kings will be this coming Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite having a 10-23 record, the Clippers are highly favored. Until the Sacramento Kings can get on court without more than half of their starters out, this is going to be a rough road to traverse. Tipoff for this game is a late one scheduled for 8:00 PM PT.

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