Tag: Dallas Mavericks

Luca Doncic Dominates As Lakers Handle Kings 128-104

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luca Doncic (77) takes a shot against the Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) in the first half at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles on Sun Mar 1, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (14-48) pulled to within ten points of the Los Angeles Lakers in the third quarter before the Los Angeles Lakers (36-25) waltzed away with this game with a 128-104 win Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Luca Doncic finished with the game high of 28 points. The second half was no contest with the Lakers dominating. The Kings Nique Clifford had a terrific game with 26 points and seven rebounds and Maxime Raynaud had a double double, 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Game recap: The Lakers dominated the first quarter outscoring the Kings 36-18. Sacramento was struggling from the start but they did turn things around significantly in the second quarter outscoring the Lakers 31-28. Los Angeles at one time in the first half had a 22 point lead but the Kings cut that lead down to 15 64-49 at the half. The Kings got off to a slow start but had a solid second quarter of play.

At the half, Russell Westbrook had 12 points and Nique Clifford also had a good half of basketball with ten. They were the only two Kings in double digits. DeMar DeRozan had a sluggish first half scoring only four points as did Maxime Raynaud also with four points although he did have seven rebounds. They had made up some ground in the later minutes of the second quarter and were looking to continue to cut into the Laker lead in the third quarter.

Deandre Ayton, Austin Reeves and of course Doncic were all dominating in the first half and the Kings would have to continue to push in the second half.

The Kings took their hot finish in the first half into the third quarter. At 8:32 the Kings trailed by ten points 68-58 as they continued to try and climb back into this game. When it started to look promising the Lakers ran their lead back up to 19, 81-62 and took the third quarter away.

We got to see the magic touch of Doncic finishing off the third quarter scoring 28 points. He was ten of 16 from the floor and four of eight from downtown. Clifford was having a terrific game scoring 22 points with five rebounds. Los Angeles took a 20 point lead 96-76 into the fourth quarter.

LeBron James dazzled to start the fourth quarter as Los Angeles took a 105-81 lead their largest of the game. At 6:20 the Lakers were completely dominating on both ends of the court and Sacramento was getting clobbered 118-91. Los Angeles was all smiles in the second half of the quarter with the apparent win looming. In the final four minutes of the game, the Lakers had emptied their bench.

The high score for the Kings was Clifford who had a great game finishing with 26 points and seven rebounds. Raynaud had a double double, 16 points and 13 rebounds. DeRozan never really got going in this game finishing with nine points and four rebounds.

Four of the Laker starters finished in double figures with Doncic the high for the game with 28 points and five rebounds. Both Doncic and LeBron James left the game for much of the fourth quarter letting the bench finish the game.

Game notes: The Kings continued their road trip after beating the Dallas Mavericks last Thursday night 130-121. Sunday night the Kings lost to the sixth place Lakers. The Lakers welcomed back Russell Westbrook who formerly played with Los Angeles. Westbrook finished with 14 points and started along with DeRozan, Raynaud, Clifford and Precious Ashiuwa.

The Lakers with Sunday’s win take a 3-1 series lead . The Kings did beat them back on January 12, 124-113. Los Angeles have now won two games against the Kings. There were no injuries noted for the Lakers going into the game and they were at full strength. Sacramento faced another challenge with a lop-sided, short-handed roster going into Sunday’s game.

Tuesday night the Kings will face the seventh place team in the Western Conference. Sunday night’s game will end this current road trip and the Kings will be back at Golden 1 Arena as they face the Phoenix Suns. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 8:00 PM.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Kings Outlast Mavericks Winning 130-121; Second win out of last three games for Kings

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) takes a shots agianst the Dallas Mavericks Naji Marshall (13) at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thu Feb 26, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite a slew of additional injuries the Sacramento Kings (14-47) outlasted the Dallas Mavericks (21-37) winning 130-121. The high for the Kings went to Precious Achiuwa with 29 points, 12 rebounds for a double double.

Maxime Raynaud finished with 22 points and Devin Carter had 15 points and six rebounds. The kids took care of business when called upon. The Mavericks threatened throughout the second half and the Kings answered every time.

Game recap: The Kings have not played with their starting lineup for a single game this season due to injury. It has been a season like no other for Sacramento. Thursday night the team’s future players will take the court, players like Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and hopefully Devin Carter who did not take the court against the Rockets Wednesday night. It will no doubt be a completely new lineup for the Sacramento Kings. With Thursday’s win the Kings have now won two of their last three games.

As this game got underway the starting lineup of Precious Achiuwa, DeMar DeRozan, Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford and Devin Carter took the court. As time ran out on the opening quarter the Kings had taken a 42-28 lead.

Midway through the second quarter the Kings took their largest lead of the game 56-38. With four minutes left in the half the Mavericks started to turn the game around cutting the 18 point Kings lead to ten points 59-49. As the first half came to an end, the Kings were able to hang onto a double digit lead 68-56.

Once again Precious Achiuwa was doing the heavy lifting scoring 21 points with 8 rebounds. Maxime Raynaud also had double digits finishing the half with ten points and five rebounds. The team would need a lot more from veteran DeMar DeRozan who finished the half with only 5 points but we have seen him really heat up in the second half and the team would need him tonight. Drew Eubanks had nine points off the bench.

The third quarter did not go the Kings way as the Mavericks pulled to within single digits 72-69 threatening to tie up this game. Sacramento pushed back in a huge way pushing their lead back out to 16 points 91-75 with 3:47 left in the third.

The Kings went on a crazy run in the final minute of the quarter and going into the fourth quarter Sacramento had a 100-88 lead. Dallas refused to go away continuing to threaten the Kings lead setting up a wild fourth quarter.

Achiuwa continued to score as did Raynaud and Devin Carter got hot scoring 12 points with six rebounds through three. The good news for the Kings was having Monk on the floor scoring eight points through three quarters and Daeqwon Plowden also with eight points both off the bench.

Sacramento had a great start in the final quarter of the game leading 106-92 two minutes into the fourth. There was a lot of time left on the clock and the outcome of this game was still up in the air.

The Kings were showing a lot of resilience pushing back every time Dallas threatened coming uncomfortably close in the third quarter. With under seven minutes left in the game, the Mavericks again threatened trailing by only five points 105-110.

Could Sacramento continue to push back? With 4 1/2 minutes left in this game the Kings continued to push back leading 118-109. This game had turned into a real nail-biter. With three minutes left it was a 3-point Sacramento lead 118-115 and the race for the finish line had begun. It was a crazy finish but the Sacramento Kings held on for the win 130-121.

Precious Achiuwa had the team high with a double double 29 points and 12 rebounds. Maxime Raynaud had a terrific game with 22 points and Devin Carer finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Nique Clifford also had double digits scoring 13 points with eight rebounds. Off the bench Daeqwon Plowden had the high with 19 points and four rebounds. It was a great game for the team tirelessly keeping the Mavericks from taking the lead for the majority of the game.

Game notes: Wednesday night the Kings took a beating at the hands of the Rockets 128-97. Thursday night they came back and defeated the Mavericks in a game the Kings felt they could handle. Of course it is common knowledge that Sacramento has lost three of their starters but it doesn’t stop there with the season-ending injuries to Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and De’Andre Hunter.

In Thursday nights game, both Russell Westbrook and Keegan Murray were out. Westbrook who has been playing some stellar ball is out with a right thigh contusion. Murray will be out for an extended period with a re-aggravated left ankle sprain. He had previously missed 20 games with this same injury.

There could possibly be more bad news for the Kings with Malik Monk who was questionable with an ankle injury but played against the Mavericks for 19 minutes. The Mavericks have numerous injuries of their own with Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, Dereck Lively lll and P.J. Washington all ruled out. The Mavericks come into this game having won back-to-back games over the Indiana Pacers and the Brooklyn Nets.

The Kings will now get some time off not taking the court until Sunday kicking off the month of March. They will remain on the road taking on Luca Doncic, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers at crypto.com Arena. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:Kings hope to snap five game skid Tuesday against Mavericks

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings center Drew Eubanks throws down against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Jan 4, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:

1.Sunday night the Sacramento Kings took on the Milwaukee Bucks at Golden One Center. Both teams are struggling this season but it was the Bucks who were favored in this game with a 16-20 record.

2.It was a game time decision for Giannis Antetokounmpo taking the floor in the game after suffering a calf injury and as it turned out he was indeed able to play in this one.

3.After trailing by as much as 26 points in the second half, the Kings got to within three points in the second half of the fourth quarter only to let the Bucks back in the game and eventually run away with it.

4.The Kings welcomed Zach LaVine back on the court playing off the bench and three Sacramento starters had double digits with Russell Westbrook scoring 21 points the team high. It just wasn’t enough to get past the Bucks.

5.The Kings will take another crack at the Dallas Mavericks Tue Jan 7th. The Kings hoping for the same result they had back on December 27 when they won that game. The Kings would like nothing more than to break this horrific losing streak and beat Dallas a second time.

Barbara does the Kings podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Kings Drop Sixth Road Match-up Losing to Suns 129-102

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives past Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) 
SOURCE: Rick Scuteri

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (8-27) played a nice opening quarter in their contest against the Phoenix Suns (20-14) only to falter in the second half. They were trailing at the half 62-56, bested by Phoenix in the end 129-102. Keegan Murray had his best game since returning to action finishing the game with 23 points and ten rebounds for a double double.

They stumbled in the second half of play as the Suns continued to extend their lead. As the fourth quarter wore on Phoenix had established as much as a 28 point lead. Devin Booker was red-hot finishing with 33 points. The Kings had 21 turnovers in the game, the Suns only 11.

Game recap: After a couple of quiet games upon his return, Murray got after it in the first quarter of Friday night’s game. As the quarter wore down Murray had already hit 11 points and had two rebounds. Despite the nice start for Murray Sacramento trailed after the first 12 minutes of play 32-29. Russell Westbrook and bench player Keon Ellis both came away empty in the opening quarter.

The Kings Nique Clifford hit a three to start the second quarter to tie up the game at 32. Minutes later the tie persisted now at 35 when Sacramento’s Doug McDermott made a 23-foot three point jumper. It was a nice start for the Kings.

Ellis would follow that shot with a three of this own giving the Kings a 38-35 lead. The Kings had already committed ten turnovers and needed to put the stops on that trend. They were only shooting around 55 % from the line so room for improvement on those two fronts.

As the game went into halftime, the Suns had taken a 62-56 lead. Murray finished the first half with 16 points and five rebounds. Poor ball protection had plagued the Kings throughout the first half with 13 turnovers. Booker finished the quarter with 27 points and Sacramento would be looking to try and contain him in the second half.

The Suns got going in earnest leading after three quarters 97-83. Murray added to his total shooting for 23 points and eight rebounds. Booker was on fire with 33 points through three quarters. The Suns hung onto a healthy 15-point lead throughout the quarter and the Kings had their hands full going into the fourth quarter.

After hanging in the game through the first half, the Kings ran out of steam trailing by as much as 28 points through the fourth quarter. The final was 129-102 in favor of Phoenix and the Kings had lost their sixth straight road game.

Murray had the team high for the Kings with 23 points and 10 rebounds for a double double. Westbrook finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds and DeMar DeRozan scored 13 points in the game. It was a quiet night for Maxime Raynaud finishing with six points and five rebounds.

Booker tore up the court finishing with 33 points and he had a lot of help from teammates Dillon Brooks with 18 points and both Collin Gillespie and Mark Williams each had 15 points. Williams also turned in nine rebounds just shy of a double double.

Game notes: Not much has gone right for the Kings since their win over the Dallas Mavericks last Saturday 113-107. Since that win the team has fallen to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, Thursday night to the Boston Celtics and they extended the loss streak to four with a loss to the Suns on Friday night.

Friday night they faced another tough match-up losing to the Suns. The Kings continue to struggle on the court defensively, much of their problems stemming from injury to Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis but have welcomed Keegan Murray back on court after a calf strain.

Murray was back on the court for the Clipper match-up but did little in his return only hitting 11 points and 2 rebounds. The loss to the Clippers was a wipe-out losing 131-90 followed by the loss to the Celtics 120-106.

The Kings played a close game through three quarters with Boston but fell apart in the fourth quarter outscored 32-18. There seems to be no end to the stretch that Sacramento is going through right now. The team is playing on a five game road skid and Friday night faced the seventh place in the Western Conference Suns, they took a sixth road loss.

They have beaten some elite teams in the second half of the season but right now they are fighting off falling into the basement, a half-game lead on the New Orleans Pelicans. The Kings more so then probably any other team need to make some moves with some very accomplished players on the line like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk.

Unfortunately all of these guys have sizeable contracts which discourages any teams that might have interest. It’s a really tough situation with no clear-cut answers.

Sunday evening the Kings will match-up with the Milwaukee Bucks at Golden 1 Center. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey: Kings looking to DeRozan to lead on offense against Mavericks Saturday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Sacramento Kings Dennis Schroder takes the ball down the floor against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center in Houston on Mon Dec 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 Can DeMar DeRozan keep his hot streak going and create enough space for his teammates against the Mavericks’ defense, especially with Cooper Flagg likely guarding him for stretches of the game?

#2 How will the Kings Maxime Raynaud match up with the Mavericks’ frontcourt, and can he use his strength and basketball IQ to dominate in the paint while also facilitating Sacramento’s offense?

#3 Will Keegan Murray’s three-point shooting continue to be a critical asset for the Kings, and how will the Mavericks adjust their defense to contain his perimeter scoring alongside DeRozan and Russell Westbrook?

#4 Is the Kings Precious Achiuwa experience and ability to score in a variety of ways going to be a key factor for the Kings, especially in terms of providing steady scoring alongside the younger players?

# 5 Can Nique Clifford slow down the Mavericks offensive flow? Will Clifford’s on-ball defense be enough to challenge Dallas’ playmaking and scoring ability?

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

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Kings Eliminated by Mavericks 120-106 in Play-In; Monte McNair Fired Immediately After Game

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Monte McNair ex GM (right) and owner Vivek Ranadive (left) of the Sacramento Kings (Photo: ESPN on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–In a whirlwind of a season for the Kings, it all came down to one game. The Kings and Mavericks played in the Western Conference 9/10 play-in game on Wednesday night inside Golden 1 Center.

The sold-out crowd inside G1C was raucous from the start as the Kings looked for a win and a date with the Memphis Grizzlies in a second play-in game for the eighth seed. The Kings and Mavs largely had similar seasons marred with turmoil and turnover.

The Mavs made what many consider to be the worst trade in NBA history, shipping Luka Doncic out for the Lakers’ Anthony Davis. On the other hand, the Kings traded All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox and head coach Mike Brown during the season. Neither team could afford to lose the game, but one was destined to. The Sacramento Kings’ season ended on Wednesday as they lost to the Mavs 120-106.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a solid start. The pace and intensity matched the Mavericks’, and the Kings outscored them 29-27 in the opening quarter. It seemed the Kings came to play; however, the first quarter would be the only quarter in which the game was close.

In the second quarter, the Mavs exploded for 44 points compared to the Kings’ 19. The Kings appeared to lose all will to live in the game. I felt as if I was watching someone slowly die after the body had given up. The Kings went into halftime trailing the Mavs 71-48.

In the third quarter, the Mavs continued to pour it on. Dallas outscored the Kings 33-28 in the third as all hopes of a Kings comeback were snuffed out. The Kings continued to struggle to contain the Mavs, as their size and length proved too much for Sacramento.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings had all but mailed it in. The Kings couldn’t mount any comeback as they were blown off their home court by the final of 120-106. The Kings went out with a whimper in the 2024-2025 campaign. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings in defeat with 30 points in 43 minutes of action.

Immediately following the game, while reporters were in the locker room, I got word from a league source that Kings head coach Monte McNair was fired.

Following the news, players were called into a meeting while some still showered—another cog in the wild turn of events that was the Kings’ season.

The Kings will hold exit interviews later this week, and the media will get one last chance to talk to this current group of players.

NBA Playoffs/Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor Wed Apr 16, 2025: Warriors get set for next round with Rockets in Houston on Sunday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors guard Stephn Curry (30) takes a jump shot three pointer against the Memphis Grizzlies Scotty Pipen Jr. at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 15, 2025 in the play in game (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 The Warriors advance to the seven game series of the playoffs after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tuesday night in the play in game.

#2 The Warriors had leading scorers with Jimmy Butler with 38 points and Stephen Curry with 37 points. The Grizzlies simply had trouble containing these two all night long.

#3 The Warriors move onto the next round in a best seven game series in Houston against the Houston Rockets as game 1 gets underway on Sunday. The Rockets have had a good season 52-30 and are 29-12 at home. The Warriors finished in the Western Conference seventh at 48-34 and have won seven of their last ten games. How do you see this series coming up?

Join David for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Can Kings get this play in game against Mavericks?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) picked up his 61st double double of the season against the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento Sun Apr 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas each chalked up a double double as the Sacramento Kings clinched for their first play in game after defeating the Phoenix Suns 109-98 Sunday.

#2 Sabonis scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds for his 61st double-double of the season. Valanciunas scored 22 points and ten rebounds.

#3 The Kings Zach LaVine scored 20 points and the Kings improved to 40-42 and are ending their regular season on positive note with a win.

#4 The Kings will meet the Dallas Mavericks for the play in game. The Kings finished the season in ninth place and the Mavericks finished at tenth place. The Play In game is one and done on Wed Apr 16 for a 7:00pm PDT tip off at Golden 1. How do you see this post season match up?

Tony Renteria podcasts the Sacramento King each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings move onto next step with Play In game vs. Dallas Wednesday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan takes a jump shot against the Phoenix Suns Cody Martin (17) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Apr 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas each chalked up a double double as the Sacramento Kings clinched for their first play in game after defeating the Phoenix Suns 109-98 Sunday.

#2 Sabonis scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds for his 61st double-double of the season. Valanciunas scored 22 points and ten rebounds.

#3 The Kings Zach LaVine scored 20 points and improved to 40-42 and are ending their regular season on positive note with a win.

#4 The Kings will meet the Dallas Mavericks for the play in game. The Kings finished the season in ninth place and the Mavericks finished at tenth place. The Play In game is one and done on Wed Apr 16 for a 7:00pm PDT tip off at Golden 1. How do you see this post season match up?

Barbara Mason covers the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Secure Home Court in 109-98 Win Over Suns; Sac hosts Dallas Wednesday at Golden 1 in Play In

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Domantas Sabonis on Sunday in the game against the Phoenix Suns (Photo: Sacramento Kings on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — It was game 82 of 82 on Sunday afternoon. In a season known more for turmoil than winning, the Kings laced them up one last time in 2025, trying to secure a home play-in game on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks.

After a disappointing season for the Phoenix Suns, they traveled to Sacramento to take on the Kings on Sunday. Officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Suns wouldn’t play any of their stars. Brad Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker all sat for the Suns. The environment was ripe for a Kings win and they took advantage of the resting Suns with a 109-98 win at Golden 1 Center on Sunday to advance to the play in playoffs.

In the first quarter, the Kings outscored the Suns 33-25 to get off to a quick start. The Kings’ energy and intensity were good, and they looked like a team that came to win. Zach LaVine scored 10 points in the first quarter to get off to a hot start offensively.

In the second quarter, the Suns made a run and outscored the Kings 29-24 to get the game within three points going into halftime at 57-54. The Kings’ scoring in the first half came from Domantas Sabonis, who had 17 points in the half.

In the third quarter, the Kings expanded their slim halftime lead to 11 points by the end of the period. The Kings outscored the Suns 29-21 in the third as they looked to complete the win in the fourth.

In the final quarter, the Kings largely played the bench unit as the regular season came to a close. The Kings and Suns both scored 23 points in the final quarter, allowing the Kings to secure the 109-98 victory. The Kings’ best performance came from Jonas Valanciunas, who scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds on the day.

The Kings will stay home to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the 9/10 seed play-in game on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7 PM PST inside Golden 1 Center.