Lots of scoring Kings outduel Grizzlies 138-133 for Kings 3rd straight win

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (left) drives past Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (center) and the Kings Domantas Sabonis (11) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Jan 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Friday night inside the Golden 1 Center. The Kings have been navigating a very tumultuous time. Over the past few weeks, the Kings endured six straight losses, fired their head coach, and appointed Doug Christie as interim head coach to lead the team on the court.

Both the organization and the fanbase have been facing significant challenges lately. On Friday, they welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies, who entered the game with a 23-11 record, while the Kings stood at 15-19.

Amidst a forgettable stretch, the Kings were determined to turn the page. The game also marked the NBA debut of guard Devin Carter, who had been sidelined since the draft due to shoulder surgery. Tip-off against the Grizzlies was set for 7 PM PST. The Kings defeated the Grizzlies 138-133 on Friday night.

In the first quarter, the Kings’ offense exploded in a performance of epic proportions, scoring an impressive 46 points. Trey Lyles led the charge with 11 points, while Malik Monk added ten. The high-flying offense brought back memories of the 2022-2023 season. Although Memphis also started strong, they managed only 32 points. The Kings took a commanding lead heading into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings continued to press the Grizzlies, but Memphis responded with an offensive eruption of their own, scoring 40 points. The Kings contributed 32 points in the second quarter, maintaining a slim lead of 78-72 at halftime.

Malik Monk led the Kings with 17 points in the first half, followed by Trey Lyles with 14. Jaylen Wells paced the Grizzlies with 16 points. Defense was nearly nonexistent, as both teams combined for a staggering 150 points in the first half. It was clear that whichever team stepped up defensively in the second half would likely secure the victory.

In the third quarter, the game slowed as both teams tightened up defensively. The Kings were outscored 28-24 by the Grizzlies. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with five points in the quarter, while Sacramento native Jaylen Wells guided Memphis with 11 points. The Kings’ lead was trimmed to just two points, 102-100, setting the stage for a nail-biting final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings did just enough on defense to secure the win. Outscoring the Grizzlies 36-33, Sacramento held on for a hard-fought 138-133 victory. While the defensive effort wasn’t stellar, the Kings managed to find a way to win—a quality that has often eluded them this season. Christie echoed this sentiment postgame, stating: “We are gonna do some learning defensively. We still have to keep growing, but it’s always good to win while you’re learning. Tonight, we were able to do that.”

The Kings were led by Malik Monk, who finished with 31 points. Jaylen Wells was the top scorer for Memphis, contributing 30 points in the contest. The Kings improved to 16-19 on the year as the Grizzlies fell to 23-12.

Up Next: The Kings will travel an hour west to face the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday at 5:30 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings will press to end 4 game losing streak tonight at Golden State

December 22, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) shoots the basketball against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. (Photo: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images/REUTERS)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Kings lost their fourth in a row going into another slump.

#2 This game remained close in the first half but fell apart in the second half.

#3 There are some critical problems in the defense right now that have to be corrected.

#4 With what is going on in Sacramento right now there are bound to be some major changes in February. Especially if this continues going forward.

#5 The Kings are off until next Thursday night when they take on the the Detroit Pistons. How do you see this game and will they rebound?

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

Kings get by Warriors 120-117; Kings remain tied for first with Suns

Skal Labissière forward (8) Stockton Kings gets ready to throw down against the visiting Santa Cruz Warriors at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton on Wed Dec 11, 2024 (image by Stockton Kings)

By William Espy

STOCKTON–The Stockton Kings returned home after a lengthy road trip to once again faceoff against the Santa Cruz Warriors. Nick Kerr’s Warriors won two in a row prior to their matchup at Adventist Health Arena, while the Kings lost their last outing against the Salt Lake City Stars but found themselves second in the West Division. On Wednesday night different story the Kings played a close game and defeated the visiting Warriors 120-117.

Stockton Starters: Terry Taylor, Isaiah Crawford, Skal Labissiere, Dexter Dennis, Jon Elmore

Warriors Starters: Kevin Knox, Javan Johnson, Seth Maxwell, Marcus Burk, Yuri Collins

Skal Labissiere opened the scoring for the Kings, and they maintained an early lead but the Warriors were keeping it close. Eventually, the Warriors got their first lead of the night just over halfway through the first quarter. Marcus Burk hit a corner three, making it 18-17 in favor of the visiting team.

Skal Labissiere was the Kings’ main source of offense early on, while Kevin Knox was the same for the Warriors. After the Warriors extended their lead to 20-17, Stockton went on an 8-0 run to regain the lead quickly. Drew Timme made an instant impact off of the bench, scoring six points in his first two minutes on the court. At the end of the first quarter, the Kings led 36-29.

That lead would only continue to grow in the second quarter. For the most part, the Kings maintained a double-digit lead for most of the frame. Dexter Dennis had a strong start to the quarter seemingly scoring at will. At the half, Stockton led 65-55.

Labissiere and Isaiah Crawford led the Kings with 13 points each, while Dennis had 11. Meanwhile, for Santa Cruz, Blake Hinson led his team with 13 of his own while Knox had 11. One key difference between the two teams was efficiency.

Stockton was shooting 57.1% from the field, while their opposition was held to 39.2%. Defensively, the game was a completely different story though. The Warriors had seven steals, which were a big part of the Kings’ eight first-half turnovers, they just hadn’t been able to turn them into points.

Santa Cruz started the second half with energy, going on an 8-0 run to bring the game within 2 points before Stockton was forced to call a timeout. Terry Taylor eventually broke the run, and momentum swung in the Kings’ favor who looked to extend their lead. Stockton’s lead would only be five points at the end of the third quarter, as the Warriors kept themselves in the game.

As the fourth quarter reached its halfway point, the Warriors brought the game back within a single point. Stockton kept trying to pull away, but Santa Cruz kept themselves in it. For the first time since the first quarter, the Warriors took the lead with just five minutes remaining in the game, making it 106-105.

Labissiere quickly put the Kings back in the lead, but from there it was a game of pinball as it went back and forth. With just over a minute left, the Warriors held the lead but Crawford was sent to the free-throw line with an opportunity to tie it up for Stockton.

The Warriors went down and took the lead, but as Yuri Collins went down in discomfort at the other end of the court, Crawford drew another foul. This time, he had a chance to give the Kings the lead on an and-one. He missed the free throw, but Santa Cruz knocked the ball out of bounds, giving the Kings possession once again. Taylor would end up drawing another foul, and his points were the difference maker as the Kings walked away victorious, 120-117.

Kings consistency 15 straight baskets put away Rockets 120-111 at Golden 1

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) takes a shot over the Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Dec 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings returned to action on Tuesday night, hosting the Houston Rockets at the Golden 1 Center. The Kings last played on Sunday, falling to the San Antonio Spurs 127-125 at home. Heading into the game, the Kings were in 12th place in the Western Conference with a 9-12 record, while the Rockets held the second spot in the West with a 15-6 record. The game tipped off at 7 PM PST. The Kings defeated the Rockets on Tuesday 120-111 to improve to 10-12 on the season.

In the first quarter, the Kings delivered an underwhelming performance, being outscored by the Rockets 28-21. The Kings lacked the urgency needed, allowing Houston to take advantage. Domantas Sabonis showed early aggression, which was a positive sign, but the question remained whether it would lead to sustained scoring. Jalen Green sparked the Rockets with nine points in the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings fell behind by double digits early. However, De’Aaron Fox led a rally, scoring 10 points in the period to bring the Kings closer. The Kings outscored the Rockets 33-27 in the quarter, cutting the deficit to 55-54 at halftime. Jalen Green led all scorers at the half with 16 points.

The third quarter belonged to the Kings. Their offense exploded for 42 points, while their defense limited the Rockets to 29 points. The Kings’ intensity after halftime was evident. The big question was whether they could maintain it to close out the game, something they had struggled with all season. Through three quarters, Jalen Green had 26 points for the Rockets, while Sabonis and Fox each tallied 20 for the Kings.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings sustained their energy to secure the victory. The game ended with some drama, as Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Alperen Şengün were ejected with only a few minutes remaining. The matchup had been physical throughout, but the two couldn’t keep their emotions in check. Jalen Green had a quiet final quarter but finished as the game’s top scorer with 28 points. Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 27 points in the win.

Up Next: The Sacramento Kings will travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies on Thursday at 5 PM PST. The Grizzlies, currently third in the Western Conference, will provide a tough challenge for the Kings.

Sportstalk/Gilda’s Seafood at Santa Cruz Pier podcast remote Mon Oct 28, 2024

Gilda’s Restaurant at 37 Municipal Wharf Santa Cruz near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. A look at the entrance area home of some the best local seafood in Santa Cruz (photo by Gilda’s Restaurant)

Sportstalk is honored to do a remote podcast at historic Gilda’s Seafood Restaurant now serving the greater Santa Cruz area for 50 years. Gilda’s near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk serving pasta and great seafood selections. Our thanks to general manager Alisa Dodds, server Danny and the fine staff at Gilda’s Seafood Restaurant.

Our podcast will feature headline sports that includes all the latest game results regarding the San Francisco 49ers, San Jose Sharks, Golden State Warriors, and much more. Today’s podcast talent, Michael Duca (Cal basketball analyst and host), Tony the Tiger Hayes (He was a Giant? author), Marko Ukalovic (San Jose Barracuda beat writer), Fernando Abarca (San Jose Sharks beat writer), Michael Roberson (Stanford Cardinal beat writer) and Lee Leonard (producer).

Gilda’s Seafood Restaurant Santa Cruz podcast:

Kings Drop Second Pre-Season Game To Golden State 109-106

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) drives past Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Oct 10, 2024. photo Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images / D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (0-2) led for much of their pre-season game Friday night with the Golden State Warriors (3-0) but it all fell apart in the final minutes of the fourth quarter as the Kings lost in their second meeting with Golden State 109-106.
The Kings De’Aaron Fox had the high for the team with 19 points. Off the bench Boogie Ellis was solid with 11 points. These guys still have a lot to work on as the regular season approaches. These pre-season games will go far in preparation for a solid start to the 2024-25 season.

Game recap: All eyes remain focused on the King’s acquisition DeMar DeRozan who had the high score in Wednesday’s game. How this guy will settle into the starting rotation remains the question that everyone is asking. He is looking forward to the season and giving the Kings the boost that they are needing for a successful season. The Warriors are also dealing with changes on their team as are so many teams across the league. This is why the pre-season is so very important.

The opening quarter went to the Warriors who led after the first 12 minutes of play 34-30. The second quarter was also a close one with the Kings leading by as much as four points in a half with constant lead changes and ties. At the half the Kings had a slim lead 58-55.

De’Aaron Fox and DeRozan had the highs in the first half with each player shooting for 14 points. Domantas Sabonis had a double double with ten points and ten rebounds. Keegan Murray finished the half with 12 points. It was a solid start for the Sacramento starters in their second pre-season game.

Sacramento’s Keon Ellis found his stride in the third quarter and joined the rest of the starters shooting double digits. With 3:54 left in the quarter the Kings had taken a 82-70 lead. The Kings only had eight turnovers through almost three quarters while the Warriors were struggling with 18 turnovers.

Both teams were shooting at 42% but the Kings were protecting the ball at a much higher level. With one minute left in the third quarter, the Kings 12 point lead had been cut in half and when the clock ran out on the quarter Sacramento was hanging onto a 3 point lead 84-81.

While fans love winning whether it be pre-season or regular season, the purpose of the pre-season is not about winning; it is about getting teams rosters set up and their players ready for the regular season honing their skills and playing as a unit.

Sacramento pushed their lead back out in the fourth quarter. At 8:29 in the quarter, the Kings had taken a 91-83 lead. The Kings starters had taken the bench and their bench players entered the game. Alex Len had four rebounds as he prepares to back up Domantas Sabonis in the absence of Orlando Robinson but had failed to score at all in the game.

The Warriors pulled to within three points but once again Sacramento pushed the lead back out to 99-91. The Warriors pushed back and it was a battle between the two benches. With 2:24 left in the game it was all tied up at 102.

With under a minute left in the game it was a one point game 107-106 in favor of Golden State. The Warriors would prevail 109-106 in the second of these two pre-season games between the two Northern California rivals.

Fox had the high for the Kings with 19 points in 26 minutes of play. Boogie Ellis had 11 points, the high off the bench. He played for ten minutes. The Kings finished the game with 13 turnovers.

Game notes: The 2024-25 NBA regular season is right around the corner as the pre-season has already gotten underway. Teams are making decisions right now as to what they want their starting rosters to look like and working players new to the team into their rotations. The Kings lost to the Warriors Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center and Friday night the Kings lost another one to the Warriors at Golden State, this time at Chase Center.

Sunday afternoon, the Kings will be back at Golden 1 Center to take on the Portland Trail Blazers looking for their first pre-season win. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 3:00 PM.

Warriors Showcase depth and Versatility in Preseason Victory Over Kings 122-112

The Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) gets some hang time against Golden State Warriors forward Kyle Anderson (1) at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Oct 9, 2024 (photo by Mauricio Segura Golden Bay Times and Sports Radio Service)

By Mauricio Segura

SACRAMENTO–The Golden State Warriors are off to an impressive start in their preseason, offering a glimpse of what could be a thrilling regular season ahead. Wednesday night they slipped past the Sacramento Kings with a 122-112 win in the state capital.

The Warriors rolled out a fresh starting lineup featuring Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney.

Although Andrew Wiggins remained sidelined, the Warriors faced a strong challenge from the Sacramento Kings, with DeMar DeRozan putting up a perfect shooting performance, scoring 15 points without a miss. Early struggles in both offense and defense had the Warriors on their heels.

Things started to turn around once the Warriors went to their bench, closing the first quarter with a 31-27 lead. The second quarter saw them find their rhythm from beyond the arc, as Curry took charge and even Green knocked down a pair of threes.

Buddy Hield also heated up, hitting all four of his three-point attempts in the first half. Despite their efforts, the Kings held a narrow 68-66 lead at the break.

The second half brought more energy, with Curry, Green, and Looney resting while Hield, Kuminga, Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Trayce Jackson-Davis picked up the pace. Their collective effort helped the Warriors build a seven-point lead, thanks to a flurry of three-pointers, ending the third quarter up 100-91.

Though the Kings’ bench made a final push in the fourth, narrowing the lead to 109-106, a well-timed timeout by coach Steve Kerr sparked a 13-0 Warriors run that secured the win and preserved their unbeaten preseason record.

Hield was a standout with 22 points, hitting six of seven from deep. De’Anthony Melton impressed with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists, shooting 4-of-9 from three-point range. Kuminga matched Melton’s 16 points, shooting efficiently at 6-of-11 overall and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.

Curry chipped in 13 points, while Green contributed 10 points and five assists. Podziemski had an all-around performance with eight points, four rebounds, eight assists, and two steals, while Jackson-Davis recorded a +22 rating with eight points and six rebounds.

As the Warriors continue to build momentum, their depth and versatility are beginning to shine, making them a team to watch as the regular season approaches.

Mauricio Segura is owner/writer/photographer for Golden Bay Times and a reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sportstalk podcast remote from Firefish Grill in Santa Cruz: 49ers, Warriors, Giants talk plus what’s on the menu

Sportstalk broadcast team at Firefish Grill in Santa Cruz: left bottom and up Firefish general manager Lance Haggard, Kelly Duca (SF Giants), Daisy Amaya (advertising), Lee Leonard (producer), right top and down, Tony the Tiger Hayes (He was a Giant feature writer), Michael Duca (mlb.com and host), Morris Phillips (Cal Bears beat writer) and Marko Ukalovic (San Jose Earthquakes beat writer) (photo by Firefish Grill)

Sportstalk podcast remote from Firefish Grill in Santa Cruz with Michael Duca (host), Marko Ukalovic (San Jose Earthquakes beat writer), Morris Phillips (Cal Bears beat writer) and Tony the Tiger Hayes (Is He A Giant? feature writer)

Our thanks to our hosts at Firefish Grill Owner and chef Mark Gilbert and general manager Lance Haggard. Firefish Grill with Fresh Seafood, Full Bar, and Exceptional Views located at 25 Municipal Pier at the Santa Cruz Wharf near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Call 831-423-5200 or visit http://www.firefishgrill.net

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The passing of Al Attles 87; Basketball in his Veins-As I remember

Former Golden State Warriors head coach Al Attles from 1970-1983 passed away Wed Aug 20, 2024 at age 87 (USA Today photo)

Al Attles -Basketball in his Veins -As I Remember

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

I had the privilege of knowing Al Attles during the Golden State Warriors years when he was a team advisor-executive and would travel most of the time with the W’s during the 1990s. Then, I was employed by the team as their Spanish play-by-play announcer.

For the record, the “only one they ever had in their history” to date. At their time, only four or five teams were broadcasting NBA in Spanish; I believe the Warriors were after the Spurs, Rockets, and Lakers, maybe we were the fourth in the country to do Spanish on KIQI 1010AM San Francisco.

But first, here is a little history about a great man and a great gentleman, Al Attles, who left us today after 87 years on this earth. He was born in Newark, New Jersey; the “Jersey Jet” was a player for the Philadelphia Warriors from 1960-1962 and then with the San Francisco Warriors until 1971.

The first professional sporting event I ever covered in the Bay Area was a Warriors game in the 1970s. The Warriors played temporarily at the Cow Palace, Daly City, while the Oakland Arena was under construction. I remember Mr. Hal Childs, the first Media Relations person I had to deal with for my credentials; he was then with the Warriors.

Al Attles played on that historic day when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points. Attles was humble and would not tell you that his 17 points during that same game resulted from making every throw he made: eight field goals and one free throw. He made them all but was always humble as a player or coach.

I once joked with him that when Wilt Chamberlain scored the record 100 points in that game, he must have had a bunch of assists. He joked about how he passed to Chamberlain, but in the end, he admitted he had six assists. By the way, in that game, the Warriors won 169-134 over the Knicks. It was on March 2, 1962.

Al would usually be first on the team bus after every game when traveling with the Warriors on the road. I would be a few minutes later since my post-game show, as I did a solo broadcast on all games home and road, would be handled in 5 minutes, and then I would send it back to our main studios in San Francisco. I would ‘pick his head’ after a game, specially if we lost that game, during those years the W’s had good teams but no titles.

One day, I remember the team losing by a large margin and blowing out 20 points. As I walked onto the bus, he said, “Did you put this team together?” On other occasions, he would tell me, “Can you push the ball?” And it continued, but I always listened to his wisdom and learned a lot from this humble and generous man.

After playing, Attles’s career was dedicated to coaching. He always liked to talk and teach basketball and coached the San Francisco Warriors and then the Golden State Warriors from 1968 to 1975. He won the NBA title in that great 1974-75 season as a coach.

Although I cannot remember the exact date, I did cover the Victory Rally at San Francisco Union Square after they beat the Washington team in the 1974-75 season NBA finals. I had my SONY small recorder in hand.

I remember as I walked to the Warriors celebratory rally, running into the “one and only Bill King” (best basketball play-by-play announcer I ever heard), who was sporting Jesus sandals and purple socks. He was there to speak at the rally, Al Attles, and then owner Franklin Meuli, wearing his inseparable Sherlock Holmes hat, also talked to a friendly crowd celebrating the moment.

The whole Bay Area is mourning today.

Rest in Peace Al Attles, I will forever remember you your wisdom and your profound voice.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez was a former play by play announcer on the Golden State Warriors Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors Draft podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors move the furniture around to get Quinten Post from Boston College in NBA draft

Boston College Eagles center Quinten Post drives against a Virginia defender on Feb 22, 2023 at Boston. Post was the Atlantic Conference’s Most Improved Player and was traded to the Golden State Warriors as their 52nd pick. (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David;

#1 The Golden State Warriors on Wednesday didn’t even get a pick. Come Thursday the Warriors had the 52nd selection overall and traded that pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder Lindy Waters III who had played four years for the Thunder.

#2 The odd thing about it was the Warriors sent cash to the Thunder and got the 52nd pick back and traded for Boston College center Quinten Post.

#3 The Warriors in making in getting Post will have a hard cap and will not be able to spend more than $189 million in salary this season. You have to wonder if this deal was planned by design.

David Zizmor is a Golden State Warriors analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com