Tag: Los Angeles Lakers

Warriors Postpone Fridays Matchup Against the Dallas Mavericks

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Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic who passed on Wed Jan 17, 2024 is seen here on Fri Oct 14, 2024 during practice preparing for a game against the Denver Nuggets. The Warriors have postponed their game against the Dallas Maverick for Fri Jan 19, 2024 (AP file photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors are still reeling from the sudden loss of assistant coach Dejan Milojevi Wednesday morning from a diagnosed heart attack. Despite immense life-saving efforts Tuesday night, the medical staff was unable to save him due to the damage to his heart and he passed on Wednesday morning. 

In a world of an especially high-pressured environment like basketball he brought joy, light, energy and passion to all who had the pleasure of working with him. He will be immensely missed. 

This event shook the Warriors and their organization to the core. There were no apparent issues leading up to Milojevi’s cardiac event and the unexpected nature of his death tugged at the heart strings of the basketball world. 

The entire staff at Sports Radio joins the sports world in sending our heartfelt condolences to his wife Natasa and their young children; his son Nikola and daughter Masa. We stand with you and grieve with you in this time of unfathomable loss. 

This is the second game postponed since Dejan’s passing. The Wednesday night game vs the Utah Jazz was cancelled and tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks has also been cancelled as the team struggles with this harsh reality which will reverberate for some time. 

As the team deals with this loss there is no timeline for makeup games with Utah and Dallas. The next game that Golden State is scheduled for is not until next Wednesday January 24 against the Atlanta Hawks at Chase Center. 

The team has taken a week off in the wake of Dejan’s passing and taking the court again will indeed be a most difficult task especially their first game back without him.

Teams across the league honored Dejan at their games including the Celtics, Lakers, Pistons, Mavericks and the Raptors and more teams are certain to do the same. A moment of silence was observed at many of these games. He made such an enormous impact on so many in a life cut short but at the same time so well-lived.  

Totally unexpected events such as the death of Dejan Milojevi has left his family, his team and millions of fans as well as the sports world in a daze coping to accept and cope with the loss. Thoughts from around the world send strength and prayers to the Warriors and his family, clinging to all that Dejan brought to his sport and thanking him for all the contributions, the joy and the love he demonstrated everyday.   

Barbara Mason is a Golden State Warriors beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings take out Spurs for fifth straight win in a row in San Antonio

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Sacramento Keon Ellis (23) reaches for the basket in first half action at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Fri Nov 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (7-4) beat the San Antonio Spurs (3-9) in a game that was close until the final minutes of the game. 

#2 This was their fifth win in a row in an amazing resilient effort winning 129-120. 

#3 The Kings handed the Spurs their seventh loss in a row. De’Aaron Fox finished with 43 points.

#4 Fox also had eight rebounds, seven assists shooting at 58% from the field. This guy just seems to play better and better with every game.

#5 The Kings  take on the Dallas Mavericks next Sunday with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 PM in Dallas. Jeremiah how do you see this match up?

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

Sacramento Manhandles Lakers – Win Fourth In a Row 125-110; Kings beat LA despite LeBron’s triple double in the Southland

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) arms raised and forward Harrison Barnes (40) during a time out as the Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks on at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wed Nov 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (6-4) had an amazing first quarter en route to a 125-110 win over the Los Angeles Lakers (6-6). They handed the Lakers their first home loss of the season as they outplayed them through the first three quarters. This is the first of a six game road trip for Sacramento and a very positive way to start it.

Game recap: The Kings got a great start in the opening quarter scoring 32 points in nine minutes. With less than two minutes left in the first quarter Sacramento had a 37-19 lead. Both Domantas Sabonis and Kevin Huerter had ten points apiece in the quarter. The Kings made six shots from downtown and were looking to continue to control the pace of this game going into the second quarter with a 38-25 lead.

After leading by as much as 20 points in the opening quarter, the Lakers erased that lead pulling to within eight points in the early minutes of the second quarter. Fast break points favored the Kings so far in this game and at 8:59 Sacramento held a 46-35 lead. With 0.1 left on the clocks the second quarter Fox hit a 27-foot jumper and the Kings took a 72-59 lead into the locker room.

Fox already had a 21 point game with Sabonis coming in with 19 points. So far in this game the Kings were dominating the glass. Sacramento finished the half with ten shots from downtown.

Sacramento finished the third quarter with an amazing 16 shots from downtown with Kevin Huerter responsible for six of them. He was having another solid game as the Kings continued to dictate the pace of this game going into the fourth quarter with a 104-80 lead.

The Kings were leading the Lakers in points from the field, shots from downtown, rebounds and only had ten turnovers through three quarters. The 24 point Sacramento lead was the largest they had in the game so far.

The Lakers got a fast start in the fourth quarter scoring six unanswered points. The Kings called a hasty time-out needing to get their offense back on track. It was a horrible start in the final quarter for Sacramento. They let their 24 point lead dwindle to 16. After missing numerous shots to start the quarter the Kings offense started to heat up again although they were committing too many turnovers with five in the quarter.

Both teams were shooting at 50% and the Sacramento offense began to struggle with five minutes left in the game. The 24 point lead that the Kings took into the fourth quarter had been cut in half with the Lakers trailing by a dozen. Sacramento was able to pull it together enough to win this game. This was the Laker’s first home loss of the season.

LeBron James gave his team an outside chance to win this game in the fourth quarter finishing with 28 points. D’Angelo Russell also had 28 points for Los Angeles. The Lakers did have 23 turnovers which hurt them.

Sabonis had the high for the Kings with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Fox and Huerter had 28 points apiece. Harrison Barnes chipped in double digits with 13.

Game notes: Wednesday night the Kings traveled to Los Angeles taking on the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings had embarked on a six game road trip that started Wednesday night. The Kings came off a win over the Cavaliers Monday night 132-120 that saw the long-awaited return of Fox.

Fox did not disappoint and finished with 28 points. Sacramento had four starters with 20 plus points in that game and they extended their winning streak to three games. Huerter had a terrific night with 20 points and going 6 of 9 from downtown against Cleveland. Keegan Murray and Sabonis also had an outstanding game last Monday.

The Kings sure started this road trip on a positive note with the win Wednesday night. They will be looking to extend their four game winning streak Friday night taking on the San Antonio Spurs with a scheduled 4:30 PM tipoff.

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Fox leads Kings with 41 points in 132-127 win over Lakers

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The Sacramento Kings center JaVale McGee (00) slam dunks on the Los Angeles Lakers forward LaBron James (23) at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Oct 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Sunday night in Sacramento. The Kings last played on Friday night in the home opener against Golden State Warriors. The Warriors came into Golden One Center and spoiled the home opener for the Kings. The Warriors beat the Kings 122-114. On Sunday, the Kings welcomed the LA Lakers to Golden One Center. The Kings (1-1) were set to take on the Lakers (1-1) at 7 PM PST in Sacramento. Sacramento bested the Lakers on Sunday 132-127.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a hot start. The Kings played really well in the first quarter en route to building a sizeable 13-point lead by the quarter’s conclusion. The Kings offense, led by De’Aaron Fox, scored 41 points in the first quarter of the game. Fox scored ten points in the quarter as Domas Sobonis added seven points. The Lakers scored 28 points in the quarter. The Kings would look to keep up the intensity in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings lead slowly evaporated. The Kings shots were not falling at the same rate as the first quarter. The Kings 13 point lead going into the quarter was cut down to five points. However, the Kings were able to build the lead back up to 11 by the end of the quarter thanks to a Fox three-pointer.

You could see as the quarter progressed that Mike Brown was visibly getting more frustrated on the sideline. I’m sure he had words with the team and the inconsistency in the second quarter at halftime. The Kings led at halftime 66-55.

In the third quarter, the Kings again lost their cushion early in the quarter. The Lakers stormed back to come within a point of the lead. How did the Kings respond?

The Kings battled but could not build the lead back up by the end of the quarter. The Kings were outscored by the Lakers 28-21 in the third quarter to cut the lead going into the final 12 minutes to 87-83. The game would come down to the final quarter and if the Kings could bear down on defense.

In the final quarter, the Kings continued to falter. The Lakers kept the pressure on the Kings. The Lakers had built themselves a five-point lead just a few minutes in the fourth quarter. Fox had a scare on a no-call foul while driving to the basket.

Fox was taken to the locker room for a quick evaluation of the ankle and later returned to a standing ovation. The Kings would battle and the game would come down to a last few shots. Unfortunately for the Kings, Keegan Murray missed a game winning three to send the game to overtime at 115-115.

In overtime, the Kings were down Sobonis who fouled out and Fox was playing but hobbling. However, Fox would come out after just a couple plays into overtime. The Kings would come out victorious in overtime winning the game.

The scored 17 points in the period compared to the Lakers 12. Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk both hit big shots down the stretch to seal the deal. Fox finished the game leading the Kings with 37 points. Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers with 30.

Up Next: The Kings will travel to San Francisco to take on the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at 7 PM PST.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Bjelica call it quits, 8 yr career ends, too many injuries led to decision

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Golden State Warriors youth campers Will McCloskey, left, and Amari Chiefelk, right, present former Warriors players Nemanja Bjelica and Chris Chiozza, second from left, with their 2022 NBA championship rings in a special ceremony, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. Typically, the Warriors present former players with their rings in a pregame on-court ceremony when they come through town with an opposing organization, but these two were playing overseas. Bjelica announced he was retiring on Oct ( (Janie McCauley AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry talk about the retirement of former Golden State Warrior Nemanja Bjelica and what he meant to the 2022 NBA Championship team.

#2 Bjelica’s last NBA season was that 2022 campaign where he played in 71 regular season games and 15 post season games.

#3 Bjelica played eight seasons in the NBA, he was considered a secondary player and was a contributor, Jerry a player like that can help out and create plays as a back up player.

#4 Bjelica is now 35 years old and is retiring from the game due to multiple injuries. He was considering playing overseas but his injuries have been too much to sustain continuing his career.

#5 The Warriors play the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time in pre season. The last time the two teams met were at Chase Center on Sat Oct 7th where the Warriors Jonathan Kuminga led in scoring with 24. The Lakers didn’t play LeBron James. The Warriors won last Saturday’s game 125-108.

Join Jerry F for the Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings lose to Lakers 109-101 in second preseason game

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Photo credit: @LakersNation

By Mary Anne

The Sacramento Kings faced the Los Angeles Lakers for their preseason game No. 2, the battle of NorCal vs. SoCal, on Wednesday night. The Kings lost to the Lakers 109-101 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Sacramento fell to 0-2, while Los Angeles improved to 2-1.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings in scoring with 18 points, six assists, and three rebounds. Domantas Sabonis added ten points, 15 rebounds, and five assists.

The Kings’ starting lineup featured De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Sasha Vezenkov, and Domantas Sabonis. Vezenkov’s pregame buckets were spectacular, to say the least.

The Kings trailed the Lakers 30-28 at the end of the first quarter. As a result, Sacramento had some work to do, despite their money plays, such as De’Aaron Fox’s mid-range floater, Trey Lyles’ triple, etc.

The Kings took a 51-50 lead at the end of the first half. The highlight of the second quarter was the Kings’ eight three-pointers — the eighth scored by Kevin Huerter late in the quarter.

The Kings picked up where they left off, but the Lakers’ offense sizzled and star point guard D’Angelo Russell was on fire. Harrison Barnes scored another triple to open the second half and Domantas Sabonis recorded a double-double with ten points and 15 rebounds, but the Kings fell behind and trailed the Lakers 90-79 at the end of three quarters.

The Kings made it rain with triples in the fourth quarter. The Lakers’ bench, however, was excited for Alex Fudge’s hustle Wednesday night. Fudge, a small forward and power forward, is a two-way player for the Los Angeles Lakers and the South Bay Lakers. Despite last-minute efforts, the Kings ultimately lost 109-101 to the Lakers.

Notes
When asked about the Kings’ upcoming game against the Lakers, shooting guard Malik Monk told the media: “We got to keep building the chemistry in the second unit, and…keep encouraging each other.”

When talking to the media, head coach Mike Brown said: “What you guys are watching isn’t necessarily how it’s going to play out in the regular season.”

Up Next
The Kings will host the Golden State Warriors at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Pacific.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors take first pre season with ease

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Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors were doing a little of everything even throwing down against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Oct 7, 2023 (@jonathankuminga photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Fans got to see an incredible show from the Warrior bench scoring 91 points and finishing off the Los Angeles Lakers 125-108.

#2 It all began Saturday night. The Golden State Warriors (1-0) played the first of five preseason games taking on the rival Los Angeles Lakers (0-1) at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

#3  In the absence of Draymond Green who missed the game due to an ankle injury, the Warriors got their first look at Chris Paul who started this game with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

#4 Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins rounded out the starting roster. How Paul will fit in whether on the starting roster or on the bench will begin to be revealed. 

#5 The second game of the preseason will tipoff next Friday October 13 at 7:00 PM in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Join Barbara for the Golden State Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings lose 112-99 to Raptors in first preseason game

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Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By Mary Anne

The defending NBA Pacific Division champion Sacramento Kings took on the Toronto Raptors in their first preseason game on Sunday. The Kings lost 112-99 to the Raptors at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Sacramento fell to 0-1, while Toronto improved to 1-0.

Sasha Vezenkov led the Kings with 12 points and two rebounds. Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray scored 11 points apiece.

Kings head coach Mike Brown talked to the media ahead of the team’s preseason game No. 1. Brown said: “Whoever is out on the floor, we expect them to play our basketball at the highest of high levels.”

The Kings took an early 2-0 lead thanks to Keegan Murray’s flawless finish at the rim. Murray, a power forward, was part of the 2023 NBA All-Rookie First Team. The Kings poured in the points, such as a tough pick and roll between Malik Monk and JaVale McGee, but the Raptors had an offensive boost late in the first quarter. The Kings and Raptors were tied 35-35 at the end of the first.

The Raptors went on a 6-2 run for a 41-37 lead to open the second quarter. The Kings picked up the pace. Domantas Sabonis fought through contact for a three-pointer but settled for a two-pointer to cut the Raptors’ lead to 58-52 late in the second. The Kings trailed the Raptors 69-55 at halftime.

The 2023 EuroLeague MVP, Sasha Vezenkov, entered the game late in the third quarter and scored his first NBA bucket, but the Kings fell behind. The Raptors led 90-67 with a little over two minutes left in the third. The Kings scored eight points to make it a 20-point game with 59 seconds remaining in a back-and-forth game but trailed the Raptors 95-74 at the end of the third.

The Raptors reached the 100-point mark early in the fourth quarter. The Kings trailed 102-77 with 8:06 left in the fourth, pulled within 15 with 2:54 left in regulation, and Jalen Slawson hustled to chase down a block. But the Kings’ comeback attempt ultimately failed and resulted in a 112-99 loss.

The Kings will take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Pacific.

Warriors Take On Lakers In Preseason Opener With Kuminga and Moody Stealing the Show 125-108

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Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry (30) and his teammates knew this pre season game against the Los Angeles Lakers was a laugher at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Oct 7, 2023 (@warriors photo)

By Barbara Mason

Fans got to see an incredible show from the Warrior bench scoring 91 points and finishing off the Los Angeles Lakers 125-108.

It all began Saturday night. The Golden State Warriors (1-0) played the first of five preseason games taking on the rival Los Angeles Lakers (0-1) at the Chase Center in San Francisco. In the absence of Draymond Green who missed the game due to an ankle injury, the Warriors got their first look at Chris Paul who started this game with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins rounded out the starting roster. How Paul will fit in whether on the starting roster or on the bench will begin to be revealed. The solid play of Paul is a welcome addition to the Warriors.

Paul rarely turns the ball over and with 18 years in the NBA he is a master with 21,755 points scored and 11,501 assists. Paul has played for so long at such a high level, Golden State is lucky to have him onboard. The Warriors did not see the Lakers LeBron James in this pre-season opener but saw plenty of Anthony Davis. James plans on playing in about half of the Lakers pre-season games.

Post game recap: The first quarter was all Thompson and Davis. Thompson finished the quarter with eight points and Davis with nine. The Warriors got to see 6’10” Dario Saric and 20 yr-old Brandin Podziemski off the bench.

Jonathan Kuminga finished off the quarter with his own exciting brand of play with some marque blocks, rebounds and passes just a preview of what the Warriors will see from him this season. After the opening quarter the Warriors had a 29-23 lead.

Mid-way through the second quarter the Warriors had expanded the lead to 18 points with 6:05 left in the half. The Lakers made a run as the second quarter came to an end. They had erased the Warriors 18 point lead but still trailed at the half 61-54.

Both teams played hard in this pre-season opener. It was an amazing half for the Golden State bench scoring 27 points to the Lakers 10. The Warriors bench will want to be, once again, a weapon and if this first half was any indication they will indeed be a weapon.

Thompson was the only Warrior in double digits with 10. Both Davis and D’Angelo Russell had 15 points for the Lakers. The Warriors had 11 turnovers in the first half, not unexpected in this warm up to the regular season. Both teams played with such intensity in the half it looked nothing like a preseason matchup.

After three quarters Golden State led 95-83. The Warrior bench started the quarter extending their half time lead. This amazing bench had scored 64 points going into the fourth quarter. The Golden State starters had played just a little over a quarter in this game.

The Lakers bench player Cam Reddish left the court in the quarter with a turned ankle, something you hate to see especially in the preseason. The bench finished off the game with Kuminga scoring 24 points with eight rebounds.

Moses Moody had 15 and Podziemski with 11 points. All but three of the 13 bench players who took the floor scored finishing with 91 points. The bench stole the show.

This was of course the beginning of a very long 82-game season but it was a great showing by this Warrior bench. The starters played just a little over a quarter. There is more good news for the Warriors.

It appears right now that Green will be available for the first game of the 2023-24 season. This guy is a fighter and it is no surprise that he has healed in record time. Now it remains to be seen how this team will look going into the regular season.

How will they fare on the road? Last season they won 11 road games. They were 30th in turnovers and 30th in free throws. Shot selection was terrible at times. All of this has to change in a field with so many playoff contenders.

The second game of the preseason will tipoff next Friday October 13 at 7:00 PM in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Will Kerr returned as Warriors head coach after this season?

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Golden State Warriors head coach in confident that he and the Warriors will have an extension worked out sometime this season. Kerr is seen here taking questions following the Warriors game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Chase Center on Mar 28, 2023 (AP file photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr’s contract is up at the end of this season. Is Kerr concerned about not getting a new deal or not?

#2 Warriors brass Joe Lacob owner and Mike Dunleavy Jr general manager are working pretty hard to present Kerr with a extension, both Lacob and Dunleavy Jr is confident they’ll get a deal done with Kerr.

#3 Kerr said he’s sure that something will get worked out and Kerr also commented, “I feel great about my position here,” Kerr said while talking to the media at the Warriors media day on Monday. “I want to be here. I know Mike and Joe want me here, and so I’m very confident something will get done. But I’m not stressed about it at all. I’m perfectly capable of coaching whether I have one year left or an extension. Makes no difference.”

#4 Kerr has been together coaching stars Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson and has no plans of breaking up that old gang anytime soon.

#5 Warriors have their first pre season game this Sat Oct 7 against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center in San Francisco tip off 5:30pm PT.

Join Jerry for Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com