Kings Finish Off Lakers in Final Seconds 120-114

Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV, left, dunks as Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter defends at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Fri Nov 11, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Finish Off Lakers in Final Seconds 120-114

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Sacramento Kings (5-6) took on the Los Angeles Lakers (2-10) at crypto.com Arena. The Kings were coming off a 127-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers while the struggling Lakers lost to the Clippers 114-101 on Wednesday.

LeBron James had to leave the game against the Clippers with a groin injury and was unable to play Wednesday. The Kings picked up their third win in their last five games defeating the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles 120-114. It was the Lakers fifth straight loss.

Game recap: The game was all tied after the first 12 minutes 23-23. The Kings took the lead for much of the first quarter but could never distance themselves from the Lakers.

The second quarter remained close until the five minute mark. The Lakers began to chip away and built a 12 point lead. With three minutes left in the half, the Kings began to make a push and after two quarters Sacramento had rallied and only trailed 60-56.

DeAaron Fox had been quiet through the first quarter and most of the second. The final two minutes of the half saw Fox turn things around heating up and finishing the half with 11 points. The slow start Kevin Huerter had also turned around in the second quarter.

The Kings took the lead mid-way through the third quarter but this game remained close. With 4:56 left the Kings were clinging to a one point lead 75-74. Domantas Sabonis had really stepped up from the start of this game. As the third quarter wound down the teams were trading the lead. The Lakers led after three quarters 88-87.

The early minutes of the fourth quarter were as tight as a game could be between these two teams. With 1:06 left in the game the score was tied 114-114. Sacramento dug in and took a 118-114 lead with 32 seconds on the clock. The high for the Lakers was Anthony Davis with 24 points and Russell Westbrook finished with 21 points off the bench.

This game was a dogfight with the Kings coming out on top. Fox finished with 32 points followed by Sabonis with 21 points. Terence Davis finished with 12 off the bench. Sacramento fought hard from start to finish and it paid off.

Sunday night the Kings will be back home taking on the Golden State Warriors. The Kings got close last Monday losing to the Warriors 116- 113. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings prepare for LeBron and the Lakers in the Southland tonight

Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love (0) goes airborne to take a shot against the Sacramento Kings power forward Harrison Barnes (40) at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Nov 9, 2022 (@cavs photo)

On the podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Domantas Sobonis led the Sacramento Kings with 21 points to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wednesday night.

#2 The Cavaliers Donavon Mitchell led Cleveland with 38 points and took 16 out of 28 shots. Mitchell’s been big for the Cavs but the Cavaliers fell short to the Kings 127-120.

#3 The Cavaliers have now lost two straight games after winning eight in a row. Mitchell said after the game “Different night’s different things.”

#4 The Kings Harrison Barnes was coming off getting shutout by Golden State Monday night to scoring 20 points the most points for Barnes this season.

#5 Jeremiah, will the Kings have their hands full at Crypto.com in LA against LeBron, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, and Patrick Beverly.

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

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Not the way the Kings wanted to open the season

First quarter action Portland Trailblazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) takes a shot over the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes (40) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento Wed Oct 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings who dropped their first game of 2022-23 to the Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday night at Golden One in Sacramento the Blazers Jerami Grant hit a three point with 50.4 seconds left in the game and Portland never looked back.

#2 Jeremiah, the loss spoiled Kings head coach Mike Brown’s debut 113-108 lots of planning went into this game and Brown really wanted to get a victory in his first Kings game and hopes Wednesday’s loss won’t set the tone.

#3 Grant led the Blazers with 23 points and he was followed Anfernee Simons added 22. Blazers star Damian Lillard scored 20 on his first game back since January from having an abdominal injury.

#4 The Kings had hired Brown with the hopes of ending their 16 year playoff drought. Brown is the second former assistant coach from the Golden State Warriors to become head coach with Luke Walton previously. Can Brown pull it off?

#5 The Los Angeles Clippers tip off with the Kings at Golden One this Sat Oct 22. The Clippers lost their first two games and the Kings are looking to win their first game of the season how do you see this match up with the Clippers and Kings.

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

The Warriors start the new season with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left defends against the Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo, right on Tue Oct 18, 2022 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors started the season with a resounding win over the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night at the Chase Center. The final score was 123-109. The Warriors want to win their fifth championship in nine years. They lost four or five key players after the season ended. The Warriors added Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green to go along with James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody. 

The Warriors gave out their championship rings to the players before the start of the game. NBA commissioner Adam Silver was in the house to congratulate the players. The game was on TNT, and TNT had Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson doing commentary.

The Warriors had guard Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney on the court to start the contest. The Lakers started LeBron James James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverly, and Lonnie Walker.

The first quarter started slowly. As it was the first game of the year, both teams were slow to get things going. The Warriors finished the quarter leading 25-22. Things heated up in the second period. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 34-30 to finish the first half with a 59-52 lead.

The Warriors were up by 11, but LeBron James made two buckets to cut the deficit to seven. Curry paced the Warriors with 16 points. Jordan Poole, leading the second unit, added ten. Anthony Davis had 15 for LA. LeBron added 14 and Westbrook 11.

As they have done so many times in the past, the Warriors dominated the third quarter. Thompson led the way as he tallied nine points early in the period. With the score 66-58, the Warriors went on a 25-4 run to lead 91-64. The Lakers fought back and made it a 91-71 game at the end of three. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 32-19

Los Angeles went on a 22-9 run in the fourth quarter. They trailed by 13 100-87. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr called a timeout so that the Warriors could regroup. Curry and Wiggins led the offensive surge to put the game out of reach.

Wiggins made three threes, and Curry had a three, a deuce, and a four-point play to put the game away. The score was 121-104 with 1:52 left to play. Kerr allowed the bench players to finish out the game.

The Warriors played well on both ends of the court. They continued to shine on defense. They showed the NBA that they have a powerful offensive juggernaut. The fans went home happy, but was Kerr satisfied with his team’s effort? Coaches always say players have to improve.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors’ offensive stars were Curry, Wiggins,Thompson, and Poole. Curry finished with 33 points. Curry knocked down four three in 13 attempts. A couple of the threes came in the fourth quarter when the Lakers made a comeback.

Thompson, playing just 19 minutes, finished with a18 points. Thompson knocked down two threes. Wiggins had 20, and Poole had 12. Warrior bench players contributed too James Wiseman, JaMychal Green, and Donte DiVincenzo each had eight points. JaMychal Green and Wiseman each pulled down seven boards.

The Lakers had four players in double figures. LeBron paced the Lakers’ attack with 31 points and 14 rebounds. Davis had 27 points and six boards. Russell Westbrook had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kendrick Nunn added 13. The Lakers’ bench did not produce much Tuesday night.

The Warriors play Friday night again when they host the Denver Nuggets. The game will start at 7 pm at the Chase Center.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors prepared for home opener Tuesday night against Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James drives on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wed Oct 12, 2022 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Lakers come calling Tue Oct 18, 2022 for the Warriors home opener at the Chase Center (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, the Warriors concluded their last pre season game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night with a 119-112 loss at the Chase Center it was more of a game of taking a look at who they have on their bench coming into the season.

#2 Also some of the veteran starters played in this one Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 23 points talk about what expectations he’ll have once the season starts.

#3 Draymond Green who did not practice or play with the team for seven days after punching teammate Jordan Poole in practice was back Friday night and scored four points and had two rebounds.

#4 Klay Thompson returned after having mental block from have two major injuries that benched him for two seasons was on the floor on Friday and scored 14 points with one rebound.

#5 The Warriors open up the season against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Chase Center. They’ll be facing a loaded Lakers team of LeBron, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and former Warrior Juan Toscano-Anderson.

Join Barbara for the Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Wallop Lakers For a Second Time 133-86

Sacramento Kings Davion Mitchell (15) and De’Aaron Fox (5) share a high five as the Kings remain undefeated in pre season defeating the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden One Center in Sacramento (@SacramentoKings photo)

Kings Wallop Lakers For a Second Time 133-86

By Barbara Mason

Friday night, the Sacramento Kings (4-0) took on the Los Angeles Lakers (1-5) for the second time in this pre-season and picked up their second straight in pre season over the Lakers 133-86. In their first meeting Mon Oct 3, the Kings beat the Lakers soundly 105-75.

Sacramento repeated the task of defeating the Lakers in Friday’s game. While this is only the pre-season what we have seen from the Kings so far has been very encouraging in regards to the upcoming regular season.

Friday game recap: The Kings got off to a quick start and led at the end of the first quarter 36-23. The Lakers took the court without Anthony Davis who was out with a low back issue. Both teams were hoping to treat the final games of the pre-season as a sort of rehearsal to the start of the regular season. The loss of Davis made this much tougher for Los Angeles.

At the half the Kings had a healthy lead over the Lakers. They had nearly doubled their lead after the first quarter taking a 65-44 lead into the locker room. De’Aaron Fox had 14 points in the half playing 14 minutes. LeBron James had 11 points in the first half. Russell Westbrook missed the second quarter limping off the court with a hamstring injury near the end of the first quarter.

The Kings continued to extend their lead, ahead 95-62 after three quarters and Sacramento was well on their way to an undefeated pre-season.

The Kings came away in a blow-out. De’Aaron Fox finished with 19 points and the high for the Lakers was LeBron James with 12 points.

As the regular season kicks off, the Kings will take on the Portland Trailblazers at Golden 1 Center on Wed Oct 19th. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Lakers without AD tonight; Kings pushing post season for 2022-23

Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown addresses the media Thu Oct 6, 2022 during the Kings training camp at Golden One Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)

On Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, the Los Angeles Lakers come calling tonight at Golden One Center in Sacramento tonight but without one of their top stars Anthony Davis who is suffering from a lower back soreness.

#2 Davis said he didn’t have any soreness after Wednesday’s game but over the last two days and the Lakers medical staff decided that it would be best that Davis stay back in LA.

#3 Last pre season game tonight Jeremiah and Kings head coach Mike Brown is hoping that he can get the Kings into the post season for the first time in 16 years which is the longest period without a playoff appearance in NBA history.

#4 One of the things that coach Brown is looking for is the cohesiveness saying that he likes the spirit and energy that he feels from the players. The Kings have shown some success in pre season games.

#5 Kings general manager Monte McNair said “We are going to need guys across the roster to step up, but we think we have the pieces here.”

Join Jeremiah for Kings podcasts Friday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Hoops Prevail, Drama Subsides: Lakers top Warriors 124-121 in exhibition shootout

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Anthony Davis owned the first half, Jordan Poole claimed the third quarter, and little known Matt Ryan, with a grand total of five minutes of NBA experience, took it from there.

Tally it up, and the Lakers escaped Chase Center with a 124-121 exhibition win that entertained the fans, but left coach Steve Kerr needing to see much more ahead of the season opener on October 18.

“We’re turning the ball over way too much, and defensively we haven’t been great,” Kerr conceded.

Along with the 30 made threes, 17 of those astonishingly from the Lakers, the numerous healthy scratches signaled exhibition as opposed to the heightened, intensity of the regular season. LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverly and Dennis Schroeder did not dress for the Lakers. The Warriors played without Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala.

Green remains away from the team indefinitely due to the scuffle with Jordan Poole on Wednesday. There’s no indication that Green will be suspended by the Warriors and it’s likely he’ll be available for the season opener a week from Tuesday although that’s yet to be determined.

Little was said of Green on Sunday night, but Poole had a lot to say with the growth in his game, and the 18-point, third quarter explosion that gave the Warriors a 91-89 lead heading to the fourth.

Poole thrilled the crowd with his drive that started with an inside-out dribble move, finished with an around the back flourish and a flip shot for a bucket in the lane.

“We were debating on the bench if that was a travel, but they didn’t call it,” Kevon Looney joked.

Poole led the Warriors with 25 points, including three made threes and never appeared bothered by Wednesday’s incident or the speculation that he will sign a lucrative contract extension in the upcoming week.

Surprising, given all the uproar, and opinions regarding the incident? Not to Kerr and Poole’s teammates who know his focus and determination.

“He doesn’t really let stuff phase him,” Looney said. “If things (aren’t) going his way, he just puts his head down and keeps working.”

“There’s a reason Jordan is where he is right now, especially when you consider where he was coming out of Michigan as a late first-round pick struggling his first few months in the league,” Kerr said. “There’s a reason he’s in this position about to sign a big extension hopefully. Guy’s tough.”

Stephen Curry added 24 points, four assists in 24 minutes, two more minutes than Kerr insisted his star would play. Andrew Wiggins had 15 points, and James Wiseman put up 13 off the bench.

Davis returned to action after missing the two, previous Lakers’ exhibitions and looked like 2020/bubble AD with 28 points, 24 of those in the first half. The eight-time All-Star impressed with a dunk of a lob, and two made threes. Last season, Davis played in just 40 games and shot a career-worst 18 percent from distance.

Matt Ryan had his, singular NBA moment with 20 points–in 20 minutes–and six 3-pointers, the final one with 2:44 remaining that put the Lakers up 118-114. Ryan also cooly converted a pair of free throws with five seconds left that gave the Lakers their final margin of victory.

The 25-year old Ryan’s previous NBA experience? Five minutes as a Boston Celtic in their season finale in April. He scored three points.

“It’s good because you never know what can happen in a regular season game,” Davis said. “You might need Matt (Ryan) or you might need Scotty (Pippen Jr.), or Max (Christie). You just never know. And for them to get those type of reps in that type of situation, especially on the road, is good.”

The Lakers won for the first time in pre-season after three losses. The Warriors, who host Portland on Tuesday, lost for the first time after winning twice in Japan.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings look to pick up second win host Blazers Sunday at Golden One

Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (left) reaches out to head coach Mike Brown (right) during practice session. The Kings host the Portland Trailblazers at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Oct 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah the Sacramento Kings (1-0) played against the Los Angeles Lakers to open the pre season at Crypto.com in the Southland and got off to a victory with a 105-75 win it just seemed like the Kings held the Lakers back on defense and were able to covert their shots on offense last Monday night?

#2 De’Aaron Fox is one of the Kings weapons on offense who can deliver night in and night out just like he did last season shooting for ten points tie for second in scoring pulling down four rebounds and getting an assist.

#3 The Kings might look forward to Keegan Murray with 16 points, six rebounds and one assist he played big last Monday for the Kings in the win. Great ball distribution taking his shots wisely and ended up leading the Kings in scoring.

#4 Richaun Holmes never one to shy off the shot he’s been key of the Kings even last season in some crucial moments when he was needed to hit some timely shots. Monday was no different has he hit ten points, five rebounds and an assist. Holmes can really fit into the scheme of things with this offense this year.

#5 The Kings match up for their next game against the Portland Trailblazers (0-2) I know you’ll be on hand mic side and for the written word for the final game recap for this thriller. The Blazers have dropped their first two pre season games to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Utah Jazz they play their first pre season road game with the Kings Jeremiah tell us how you see the Kings countering the Blazers this Sunday night at Golden One?

Join Jeremiah with the Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Murray leads Kings with 16 pts in 105-75 victory over Lakers in the Southland

Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook, second from right, jumps as he guards Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, second from left, as forward LeBron James, left, watches along with Harrison Barnes at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Mon Oct 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

Monday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles marked the first Sacramento Kings game of the season. Granted, it was pre-season it was nonetheless exciting for Kings fans and NBA fans like to see their purple and black back in action. The Kings managed the Lakers with ease winning the game 105–75 in Los Angeles.

A lot has changed since the Sacramento Kings last took the court. New additions to the roster and draft picks have really shaken up the outlook for the Kings this season. In addition to roster changes for the on court ranks, the Sacramento Kings hired a new head coach in the off-season.

New head coach Mike Brown who arrived via the Golden State Warriors in the off-season is poised to take the helm of the kings and try to turn the culture of losing around in Sacramento. The Kings core group of De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, Domantas Sabonis and company are all back for another season in Sacramento.

In addition to the players remaining on the roster the Kings picked up the likes of Malik Monk via the market and Keegan Murray in the NBA draft. Kings fans are excited to see the development of this team and the new head coach who the current front office wanted not old leadership. On Monday night the Kings put forth a solid effort in their first preseason game of the year.

In the first half most of the starters for both teams played in the game. The contest in the first half was a very even matchup between Kings stars such as De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis taking the court against the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. After the first half of action, The Lakers led the Kings 46–41 going into halftime.

De’Aaron Fox led the way in the first half for the Kings scoring ten points in just over 15 minutes. For the Lakers, Anthony Davis scored the most points in the half with 11. The Kings were poised to take over the game in the second half with the main starters taking the rest of the night off.

In the second half it wasn’t even a contest. The Kings dramatically outscored the Lakers in the second half. The third quarter saw the kings outs score of the Lakers 35-13 while in the fourth quarter the Kings trounced the Lakers 29–16.

All in all the Kings would defeat the Lakers 105–75. It was an impressive win for the Kings who played well on every side of the ball. Keegan Murray led all scorers in the game with 16 points has Anthony Davis led the Lakers with his 11 first half points.

The Kings next match up is in Sacramento against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at 6 PM PST