Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels front right controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (left) in the first half at the Target Center at Minneapolis on Sun Dec 14, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 Sacramento Kings (6-19) Zach LaVine struggled with the Minnesota Timberwolves (16-9) defense at times Sunday night — what adjustments do you think the Kings could make moving forward to get him more open looks?
#2 With Domantas Sabonis unavailable due to injury, how did that affect LaVine’s offensive rhythm, and what did you learn about the depth of like Keegan Murray and Maxime Raynaud who were asked to step up?
#3 Russell Westbrook brings veteran leadership — how did his court vision and playmaking help the Kings in key stretches Sunday night?
#4 DeMar DeRozan has been one of the Kings consistent scorers this season — how important is it for him to maintain aggression against tough defenses like Minnesota?
#5 How would you evaluate the Kings bench production Sunday night, particularly from guys like Malik Monk and Precious Achiuwa, given the adversity on the road?
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.
Denver Nuggets guard Jaden Pickett (24) drives on the Sacramento Kings Maxime Raynaud (left) at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Thu Dec 11, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:
#1 Can Zach LaVine provide leadership and scoring for the Kings (6-19) against a tough Timberwolves defense? LaVine has been one of Sacramento’s primary scorers this season.
#2 How will DeMar DeRozan’s offense impact Sacramento’s chances in Minnesota — can he create buckets early and often? DeRozan is a veteran scorer who has been relied upon in clutch moments.
#3 With Domantas Sabonis playing a major role this season, how crucial will his presence (or absence due to injury status) be for the Kings.
#4 Will Russell Westbrook’s playmaking and energy spark a Sacramento offense that has struggled to find consistency? Westbrook’s veteran leadership and passing can be key.
#5 Can secondary contributors like Dennis Schröder, Malik Monk, or Maxime Raynaud step up to help balance the scoring and ease pressure on the Kings’ stars? Role players will be important in this road matchup.
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.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) takes a shot over the Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) in the second half at the Toyota Center in Houston on Wed Dec 3, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
It was more of the same for the Sacramento Kings (5-17) as they lost to the Houston Rockets (14-5) Wednesday night 121-95. The Kings are able to keep pace with opponents but fall prey to them in the second half. They have led some very good teams deep into the fourth quarter of games but have relinquished those leads losing those matchups.
They have been unable to close out fourth quarters for most of the season and this game was no exception in fact losing this one mid-way through the third quarter. The Rockets really got going in the second half with Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson all scoring in the twenties with Sengun the game high with 28 points.
The high for the Kings were shared by two bench players; Malik Monk and Maxine Ranaud each with 25 points. They were a bright spot in a disappointing loss, their fourth in a row.
Game recap: The Rockets finished the opening quarter on top but only by a couple of points 28-26. The Kings were keeping pace with Houston throughout the first quarter. The quarter got underway with a couple of Russell Westbrook turnovers in the first minute of play, not a great start for the team.
The quarter was littered with some poor play finishing the quarter with three turnovers, fouls, and three steals. Despite the less than stellar play the team was very much in the game going into the second quarter.
It was Maxine Raynaud who helped keep the team within striking distance hitting a couple of three’s along with three additional baskets which included a one-foot layup, and a driving layup.
The Kings took the lead at times throughout the second quarter and went into the locker room at the half with a 52-51 lead. After a bit of a rocky start DeMar DeRozan hit five baskets in the second quarter.
He finished the first half with 12 points and bench player Maxine Raynaud had the team high for the half finishing with 14 points. Keegan Murray and Zach LaVine both had quiet quarters, each of them scoring two points apiece.
The Kings finished the half with nine turnovers, the Rockets with 11. Despite the nine turnovers, the Kings only conceded two points off those turnovers. The largest lead for each team was five points apiece in this hotly contested game. Going into the third quarter it was anyone’s game.
The Rockets had three players in double figures as the third quarter got underway. Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson had a very good first half of basketball. The game see-sawed throughout the first half of the third quarter but then the game took a turn.
The Rockets got their largest lead of the game 71-64 at 4:57 in the quarter. Although quiet offensively, Keegan Murray had contributed grabbing nine rebounds so far in the game. As the third quarter wound down, the Rockets really got going extending their lead and taking a double digit advantage 78-68 with 2:30 left on the clock.
Houston took their double digit lead into the fourth quarter now leading 87-71 and the Kings had a real challenge facing them. Houston had squashed the Kings in the third outscoring them 36-19.
Sacramento had hung with the Rockets through the first half of the third quarter but let it all slip away as this game went into the fourth quarter. They were unable to sustain the effort that they had in the opening minutes of the third quarter and the Rockets were waltzing away with this game. By 7:32 in the fourth quarter Houston had established a 100-77 lead. The final was 121-95 and Sacramento had lost a fourth game in a row.
The first half of this game was very competitive, the second half not so much in fact mid-way through the third quarter the writing was on the wall. The Rockets turned the game into high gear and Sacramento was unable to stop them.
The bright spot for the Kings was a terrific showing on the Sacramento bench. Malik Monk and Maxine Raynaud each shot for 25 points in fact it was Raynaud that kept the Kings in the game in the first half. The high for the Sacramento starters was also shared with Russsell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan each shooting for 12 points.
Game notes: The Kings extended their losing streak to three games, the Kings took on the Rockets Wednesday evening and beat 121-95. Houston is currently tied for third place in the Western Conference. The game took place at Toyota Center in Houston.
The Kings have of late pulled a couple of upsets back to back against the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sacramento couldn’t pull out a win against a Western Conference elite team. The Kings have struggled defensively and remain without big man Domantas Sabonis as well as Dennis Schroeder who is dealing with a hip issue. Sabonis will be evaluated in another week or two. The loss was the 12th out of their last 14 games.
Next up for the Kings will be the Miami Heat on Saturday December 6th with tipoff scheduled for 5:00 PM.
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (17) looks for someone to throw the ball to as he is pursued by the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) in the second half of the NBA Cup at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Fri Nov 14, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Throughout three quarters the game between the Sacramento Kings (3-10) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-4) was a wild ride with the Kings trailing by a single point after three. In the early minutes of the fourth quarter we saw what has become the Kings inability to close out games.
After three minutes of play the Timberwolves took a nine-point lead 103-94. The final was 124-110. The Kings can hang with the best in the league but they just cannot finish. While it was a far better effort then Wednesday’s game it is still another loss dropping the team to a discouraging 3-10 season record.
Domantas Sabonis had the high for the Kings with 34 points and Zach LaVine had a solid second half finishing with 25 points. The changes that Head Coach Doug Christie had alluded too could be eminent.
Game recap: Going into the first quarter both Sabonis and Malik Monk took the court. After the first 12 minutes of play the Kings were keeping pace with the Timberwolves but trailed 35-30.
Sacramento kept at it outscoring the Timberwolves in the second quarter 31-26 and going into the locker room at the half, this game was tied at 61. Sabonis took Head Coach Doug Christie’s words to heart scoring 24 points in the first half.
Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan were stagnant with Westbrook coming away empty and DeRozan scoring only two points. Sacramento was hitting 50% of their three-point attempts which were instrumental in a game so very close.
Both teams were terrible from the line with the Kings shooting at 56% and the Timberwolves not much better with 63%. The Timberwolves largest lead of the half was 11 points which the Kings were able to erase going into the third quarter with the game tied at 61.
Going into the third quarter the question remained; with the exception of Sabonis could these starters get their rears into gear. Could they play the brand of basketball that we know they are capable of.
The Kings got off to a good start in the third taking a 74-69 lead early. They have been struggling all season closing out games but this game looked different as they continued to extend their lead with as much as a seven-point lead.
Time would tell if Coach Christie’s harsh words resonated in any way. They certainly had for Sabonis and would any of the other starters follow suit. The first half indicated that they did but they had a long way to go in this game.
The Kings had a five point lead going into the final five minutes of the third but let the Timberwolves back on top with three minutes left in the quarter 88-84. The third quarter closed out with the Timberwolves clinging to a one-point lead 92-91.
Could the Kings dig deep and close out the fourth quarter? Going into the final quarter this game was up for grabs and Sacramento had a great opportunity to prove themselves.
Early in the fourth quarter this game was tied at 94. It all came to an end three minutes into the quarter when Minnesota took a 103-94 lead prompting a Sacramento time-out. Was history repeating itself or could the Kings right the ship? The reality in this game was yet another fourth quarter meltdown by Sacramento. The final was 124-110, the Kings season record dropping to a dismal 3-10.
The Kings hung with the Timberwolves through three quarters but as seen in the past could not close the game out. Sabonis had the game high with 34 points and 11 rebounds another double double. Zach LaVine finished with 25 points but DeRozan was very quiet finishing with six points. Despite playing for 16 minutes Malik Monk could have been hampered by his sore ankle not scoring at all with only one rebound.
Every Minnesota starter finished the game with double digits. Anthony Edwards had his team high with 30 points. Julius Randle had a double double with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Donte Divincenzo had a solid game turning in 20 points and 6 rebounds.
Game notes: Friday night the Kings took another tough loss and their loss streak hit five games. While it is still early in the season there is steep trouble for the Kings and Head Coach Doug Christie is livid as evidenced by a profanity-laden postgame press conference after a drubbing by the Atlanta Hawks 133-100 Wednesday night.
The Hawks were without ace Trae Young and as it turned out they didn’t need him to come away with the win. Christie called that game shameful Keon Ellis had the team high off the bench with 20 points in that game but the starting lineup was abysmal at best.
Domantas Sabonis and Russell Westbrook barely cracked double digits and DeMar DeRozan finished the game with four points. The starters collectively had 45 points while the bench finished with 55 points. While Ellis has been overlooked at times which is puzzling considering the great defense he provides and he has proven to be a strong offensive player.
Much of what Christie said to the team cannot be put into print but suffice to say he was far from pleased. One could not blame him for his colorful rhetoric considering the play the Kings saw against the Hawks. He also said he would not be looking at the tape, seeing it live once was more than enough for him.
Many of the fans began to exit the building when the team was trailing by 37 points going into the fourth quarter. The team was booed off the floor at game’s end. Christie also hinted that there were big changes coming for the team and that the front office was completely on board with those changes. “We’re going to find people who want to compete period,” Christie said.
The Kings have faced the most difficult schedule in the NBA and Friday night they will face yet another tough game. The Sacramento locker room is not a happy place right now and has not been since the start of the season.
The Kings have a lot of talented players who are growing more and more frustrated. Going into Friday’s game both Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk were both listed on the injury list. Sabonis is struggling with a left ribcage contusion and Monk is also questionable with left ankle soreness. They are game-time decisions.
The Kings will continue on the road; they’re next stop in San Antonio for a matchup with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for Sunday November 16 at 1:00 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 head coach Doug Christie says change is coming for the struggling Kings after Wed Nov 12, 2025 game against the Atlanta Hawks at Golden One Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 How will Zach LaVine’s scoring ability impact Sacramento’s offense against Minnesota’s defence, and can he create enough opportunities for his teammates like Domantas Sabonis inside the paint?
#2 With Russell Westbrook now in Sacramento’s back-court, how might his play-making and veteran presence change the tempo and ball movement for the Kings in this game?
#3Given that DeMar DeRozan remains a focal scoring option for the Kings, how well will Minnesota’s bigs (such as Rudy Gobert) defend him one-on-one, and what adjustments might Sacramento make?
#4How will the absence (or limited availability) of Keegan Murray affect Sacramento’s front-court depth and how might Minnesota exploit that in terms of rebounding and second-chance points?
#5 Can role players like Keon Ellis or Malik Monk provide enough shooting threat to relieve pressure from LaVine and DeRozan, and how will their performance influence the pace of the game?
#6 Head coach Doug Christie says change is coming. Could a statement like that lose the players and the locker room?
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.
Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards gets airborne to make a floating bucket against Sacramento Kings defenders center Domantas Sabonis ( 11) and guard Demar Derozan in the first half at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Nov 9, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 How did Zach LaVine perform in terms of scoring, and did his output make a difference in stemming the Timberwolves’ surge?
#2 In what ways did DeMar DeRozan try to influence the game, and was his effort enough given Sacramento’s defensive breakdowns?
#3 What impact did Domantas Sabonis have on the boards and interior play, and how did Minnesota exploit his presence (or absence)?
#4 How did Russell Westbrook factor into the Kings’ attack — did he set the tone or struggle to find rhythm?
#5 Next up for the Sacramento Kings the Denver Nuggets at Golden One on Tue Nov 11 with a 8:00pm tip. The Nuggets are on a four game win streak and handled the Indiana Pacers 117-100 on Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. How do you see this match up with the Nuggets and Kings on Tuesday night?
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.
Zach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 9, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Kings welcomed the Minnesota Timberwolves to Sacramento on Sunday night. The Kings, mired in a slow start to the season, failed to bounce back as they fell to the Wolves 144-117 in embarrassing fashion in front of a booing Golden 1 Center crowd.
In the first quarter, the Kings shot well from the perimeter, but that was about it. The Kings shot at a 54% clip from beyond the arc but only 37% overall from the field. The Kings struggled to get downhill and finish at the rim, which led to a 31-25 Wolves lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Timberwolves shot the inverse of the Kings, as they had a 36% clip from beyond the arc and shot 57% overall from the field. Zach LaVine and Rudy Gobert got started early, scoring nine and eight points respectively to start the game.
In the second quarter, the Kings battled but couldn’t contain the Wolves. The Wolves outscored the Kings 40-29 to take a 71-54 halftime lead. The Kings’ defense failed on all fronts to stop the Wolves as they were getting contributions up and down the bench. Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and Julius Randle combined for 41 points in the first half.
Zach LaVine led all scorers as he dropped 17 first half points for the Kings. The Kings’ swiss cheese defense was letting them down again as they tried to battle against the Wolves and keep the game close going into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Wolves continued to pressure the Kings and didn’t let up. The Kings were blown off the court again in the third as they were outscored 40-30 to take a 111-84 deficit into the final 12 minutes of action. Kings fans had seen enough in the third as boos and “We want Keon” chants filled the arena.
In the fourth quarter, for the second game in a row, Keon Ellis checked in for the first time in the game to start the final quarter. However, the outcome of the game was all but decided as the Kings trailed by 27 points heading into the final frame. The Kings didn’t have much life to show in the fourth as both teams scored 33 points as the Kings lost 144-117.
The Timberwolves’ leading scorers in the game were Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, who had 26 and 21 points respectively. For the Kings, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan led the way with 26 and 22 points respectively.
After the game, Kings HC Doug Christie spoke with the media. Doug was clear about his level of frustration with this group and their lack of defensive dedication night in and night out.
“First and foremost, you got to stop somebody,” Doug said after the game. “You got to take pride in that together. This is not golf. This ain’t no individual sport. This is a team sport, a collective sport. That’s why I say collective spirit.”
Doug continued to stress that the Kings will have a defensive identity. Whether he has the players for it or not, he stressed the Kings will hang their hat on the defensive end of the game.
“The Sacramento Kings are going to have a damn standard, period. As long as I’m here, there’s going to be a standard.”
Mike Brown and now Doug Christie have both found it impossible so far to convince this Kings group, led by Domantas Sabonis, to buy into a defensive identity. The Kings require a full roster overhaul before they will truly find a defensive identity.
Up Next: The Sacramento Kings will stay home to take on the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center. The Kings and Nuggets will play in what will be the first night of a back-to-back for the Kings at 8 p.m. PST. The Kings will then take on the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PST.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives on the New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (left) in the second half of game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tue May 27, 2025 (AP News photo)
NBA Conference Finals podcast Michael Roberson:
#1 The Indiana Pacers just very well might run away with the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the New York Knicks in Indianapolis on Tuesday night 130-121 in game 4, the Pacers take a 3-1 series lead.
#2 Micahel when you take a look at this game the Knicks were almost watching the Pacers just wiz by them. The Pacers displayed speed, were agile and the Knicks had all sorts of trouble trying to defend Tyrese Haliburton who led with 32 points.
#3 The two teams match up again Thu May 29th for game five at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have their backs to the wall and have the home floor advantage. The Pacers have the upper hand and can put this away with a win in game 5. How do you see these two teams stacking up?
#4 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did the job against for the Oklahoma City Thunder leading with 34 points to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 on Wednesday night to take the Western Conference finals 4-1 and move onto the NBA Finals. The Thunder are making their first appearance there since 2012.
#5 OKC also had help from Chet Holmgren who scored 22 points, seven rebounds, and had three blocks. Jalen Williams scored 19 points and had eight rebounds.
Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) who was named NBA MVP before game 2 of the Western Conference finals playoffs led the Thunder in scoring with 38 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Thu May 22, 2025 (AP News photo)
On the NBA Playoffs podcast Michael Roberson:
#1 The Oklahoma City Thunder have done it again with another 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom.com Arena on Thursday night in the Western Conference finals. The Thunder takes a 2-0 series lead.
#2 The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 38 points and you can see why he was named the NBA MVP which was announced before game 2 of this playoff series.
#3 NBA Commissioner Adam Silver awarded Gilegous-Alexander the MVP trophy before the game and Gilegous-Alexander went out and scored 12 of 21 field goals and 13 of 15 free throws, eight assists and three steals looks like he earned his MVP and his keep.
#4 The Timberwolves Anthony Edwards was hard at work taking 26 shots to score 32 points. Jaden McDaniels had 22 points, and Nickeil Walker-Alexander scored 17 points.
#5 Game 3 is Saturday and the series goes back to the Target Center at Minnesota. The Timberwolves have their backs to the wall and another loss could very put them out of this series. The Thunder have been in control in the first two games can they put it away in Minnesota?
The Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) takes the ball up the floor against the Minnesota Timberwolves Donte DeVincenzo (0) in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom.com Arena in Oklahoma City on Tue May 20, 2025 (AP News photo)
On the NBA Playoffs podcast David Zizmor:
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 31 points and in the second half of the game scored 20 in OKC’s 114-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday night in the first game of the Western Conference Finals.
#2 The Timberwolves Julius Randle led with 28 point but scored only eight points in the second half. Not of enough Randle scoring but the spread was so wide for the Wolves to try and catch up.
#3 OKC leads the series 1-0 they dominated in the scoring in game 1 but one game is not four of seven not. Are the Timberwolves equip to come back and make this series interesting? Game 2 Thu May 22 at OKC how do you see this match up?
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