Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings biggest challenge yet to winning streak Boston Celtics

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) is fired up after the Kings defeated the Miami Heat in their last game in double overtime at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Jan 6, 2025. The Kings face the Boston Celtics Mon Jan 10, 2025 at TD Waterhouse Garden in Boston (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The Sacramento Kings are on a roll they have a five game win streak going and their last win over the Miami Heat Monday night 123-118 kept that streak going.

#2 DeMar DeRozan scored 11 points in the double overtime stanza to keep the Kings in it. DeRozan displayed some of the reasons why the Kings got him to come to Sacramento.

#3 DeRozan finished the contest with 30 points and went 12 for 26 from the floor. Domantas Sabonis racked up 21 points with 18 rebounds and 11 assists. The Kings won their second straight game without De’Aaron Fox in the line up.

#4 Lots of trade rumors regarding De’Aaron Fox whose been a key scorer in the Kings line up. The Kings are rolling will they hang onto Fox or look to get some more offense in trading him?

#5 The Kings face their toughest challenge during this winning streak they have going tonight against the Boston Celtics who are second in the Eastern Conference. The Celts have six of their last ten games, they handled a tough Denver Nuggets team in their last game 118-108 in Denver. Will the Celtics be a handful for the Kings tonight at Waterhouse Garden?

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

Kings beat the Heat 123-118 in double OT for fifth straight win; Christie has turned Sac’s tide as head coach

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) drives the lane on the Miami Heat guard Tony Rozier (2) in double overtime at Golden 1 Center on Mon Jan 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night, coming into the game with strong momentum, riding a four-game winning streak. The Kings were on the second night of a back-to-back after defeating the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, 129-99.

On the other hand, the Miami Heat entered the game as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 17-16 record. This week, the Heat had been dealing with the Jimmy Butler drama, an undoubtedly unwelcome distraction for the team.

Jimmy Butler was suspended last week by Heat President Pat Riley for conduct detrimental to the team. The Kings and Heat tipped off at 7 PM PST inside the Golden 1 Center. The Kings defeated the Heat 123-118 on Monday night.

In other news, the newly relocated Oakland Athletics were in attendance at the game on Monday night. A’s manager Mark Kotsay, along with players Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, JP Sears, and Lawrence Butler, were all courtside for the affair.

In the first half, neither the Kings nor the Heat seemed to find their rhythm. Both teams struggled to establish a comfort zone on the offensive end of the floor. The Heat shot 40.5% from the field and 31.3% from beyond the arc, scoring 47 points in the first half.

On the other hand, the Kings committed eight turnovers, resulting in 11 points for the Heat. The Kings shot 40.8% from the field and just 18.8% from deep, managing to score 50 points in the half and taking a narrow three-point lead, 50-47, into the break. Tyler Herro led the Heat in the first half with 17 points, while Malik Monk paced the Kings with 15.

In the second half, the Kings displayed resilience to force overtime. Despite leading at halftime, the Kings lost their edge and trailed by as many as 17 points. However, they battled back to tie the game at 102, sending it into overtime. In the first overtime period, both teams scored ten points, leading to a second overtime.

In the second extra period, the Kings outscored the Heat 11-6, powered by nine points from DeMar DeRozan, ultimately securing a 123-118 victory. DeRozan was the Kings’ leading scorer with 30 points. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 26 points but notably did not score in either overtime period.

Postgame, Doug Christie commented on the victory, stating, “Big time – these guys continue to fight in a way that I hope makes our city proud. It makes me incredibly proud.”

Up Next The Kings will travel to Boston to face the Celtics at 4:30 PM PST at the Garden.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings clobber Warriors at Chase Center 129-99 for fourth straight win

Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (22) who just recently joined the big club from the G League’s Stockton Kings goes for the high percentage shot against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Jan 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast:

#1 Sacramento Kings Malik Monk scored 26 points and 12 assists and the Kings also got help from Domantas Sobonis with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a huge win over the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco on Sunday 129-99.

#2 The win marks interim head coach Doug Christie’s fourth straight win against one loss and there is little doubt that he has this team fired up since taking over the reigns after former Kings head coach Mike Brown was fired after losing five straight games.

#3 What was amazing about Sunday’s win against Golden State was the Kings did it without DeAaron Fox whose been the Kings lead scorer and has been the focus of trade rumors.

#4 The Kings never were behind the Warriors through the Sunday contest and led at the half by a whopping score of 75-51. The Kings in this game looked every bit like a playoff contender despite occupying 11th in the Western Conference.

#5 It’s right back to work at Golden 1 Center as the Kings match up against the Miami Heat who are sixth in the Eastern Conference Monday night. The Heat have won four of their last six and lost two games in a row. They are having internal issues with their star player Jimmy Butler wanting to be traded and said he wants out of Miami. Its been reported that Butler does not get along with Heat executive Pat Riley. Butler’s argument is Riley has not put together a competitive team and Riley has suspended Butler for seven games for conduct detrimental of the team. It should be noted Butler had issues with other NBA teams in Chicago, Philadelphia and Minnesota before leaving those clubs as well. So who will want to pick him up is a big question. Golden State said they will take a pass on Butler after looking into Butler.

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

Kings deal Warriors a 129-99 drubbing at Chase Center

The Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (22) drives on the Golden State Warriors forward Lindy Waters III (left) in first half action at the Chase Center in San Francisco Sun Jan 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SAN FRANCISCO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Sunday night. On Sunday, the Kings traveled west to San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors. Neither the Warriors nor the Kings have had the best of seasons so far this year. Entering Sunday, the Warriors held an 18-16 record and were eighth in the Western Conference.

After a strong start to the season with a 12-3 record in their first 15 games, the Warriors have since struggled, going 6-13—a stark contrast for a team with championship aspirations, especially as Stephen Curry, now 36 years old, continues to lead the squad. Conversely, the Kings didn’t enjoy a hot start like the Warriors; they’ve hovered around or below .500 all season, entering Sunday’s game with a 16-19 record.

On Sunday, the Warriors were shorthanded, missing Jonathan Kuminga due to a sprained ankle. This marked a significant loss for the Warriors, who are reportedly exploring potential trades involving the young player.

On the other side, the Kings were without De’Aaron Fox, sidelined by a right glute contusion sustained during a hard foul on Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. The game tipped off at 5:30 PM PST at Chase Center as the Kings ultimately defeated the Golden State Warriors on the road with a commanding 129-99 victory.

Game recap: In the first half, the Kings came out firing on all cylinders offensively. They scored an impressive 75 points in the first half compared to the Warriors’ 51. The Kings’ offense was dynamic, with excellent ball movement that consistently left the Warriors’ defense scrambling in rotation.

Sacramento shot an impressive 66.7% from two-point range and 47.8% from beyond the arc in the first half. According to Kings PR via Basketball Reference, this marked the first time in franchise history that the Kings scored 75 or more points in consecutive first halves (The Kings scored 78 in the first half against the Grizzlies on Friday night).

On the other hand, the Warriors weren’t entirely ineffective, shooting 44% from both the floor and from deep in the first half. However, turnovers proved costly as the Warriors committed 13 turnovers, which the Kings capitalized on by scoring 20 points off those mistakes.

In the second half, the Kings maintained their dominance. The Warriors made a few small runs early in the half but couldn’t match Sacramento’s offensive output. The Kings added 54 points in the second half, while the Warriors managed 48, sealing the 129-99 victory.

Malik Monk stepped up significantly for the Kings in Fox’s absence, contributing 26 points and 12 assists. Domantas Sabonis added a 22-point double-double, while Devin Carter scored his first NBA points, finishing with 13 points and seven rebounds. For Golden State, Curry led the way with 26 points and seven rebounds.

Postgame Reflections The Kings improved to 17-19, while the Warriors dropped to 18-17 and continued to struggle. The Kings’ victory marked their fourth consecutive win.

When asked about the team’s turnaround, DeMar DeRozan said, “We are just going out there, playing freely with joy and for one another.” Head Coach Doug Christie added, “The guys played with a high level of competition and competitive nature.”

When I asked about the team’s preparations for upcoming games against Miami and Boston, Christie humorously replied, “You do know I just got this job, right?” Fair enough, Doug.

Up Next The Kings return home to face the Miami Heat on Monday at 7 PM PST at Golden 1 Center. The Heat will be without Jimmy Butler, who has been suspended for seven games for conduct detrimental to the team. Additionally, he was fined $532,000 per game by Heat President Pat Riley.

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 Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings face second place Grizzlies tonight at Golden 1

The Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerchon Yabusele (left) defends against the Sacramento Kings forward Domatas Sabonis (right) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 De’Aaron Fox scored 35 points and looked like his old self again as the Sacramento Kings were lights out with a win over the Philadelphia 76ers 113-107 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

#2 It was the second win in a row for Sacramento after suffering a six game losing streak. What would you point to that even for these two games got the Kings to turn it around?

#3 The Kings Domantas Sabonis had a big night with 17 points, 21 rebounds, five assists, and DeMar DeRozan scored 18 points.

#4 The Kings were down by 14 points in first half action but caught up and tied the ball game up at 57-57 at the half. For one brief fleeting moment the Sixers took a 107-98 lead with 3:15 left but the Kings took over for the rest of the game.

#5 The second place Western Conference Memphis Grizzlies are in Sacramento tonight. The Grizzlies have won seven of their last ten games. It’s going to be a test of wills for the Kings if they want to make it three wins in a row on tonight in Sacramento.

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

Kings string back to back wins defeat Sixers 113-107 at Golden 1

Sacramento Kings guard DeAaron Fox (5) takes the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers forward Caleb Martin (16) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night, fresh off their Monday victory against the visiting Dallas Mavericks. On Wednesday, the Kings hosted the Philadelphia 76ers at the Golden 1 Center, with tip-off set for 7 PM PST. The Kings emerged victorious, defeating the 76ers 113-107 to improve their record to 15-19 for the season. Meanwhile, Philadelphia dropped to 13-18 in the 2024-2025 campaign.

The first quarter saw the Kings start off somewhat flat. Defensively, they struggled to contain Paul George, who racked up an impressive 14 points in the opening period. The Kings’ three-point shooting was not much of a factor, as they converted just one of four attempts from deep. Domantas Sabonis led the Kings in scoring for the quarter with eight points. The 76ers outpaced the Kings, finishing the first quarter with a 30-25 advantage.

In the second quarter, the Kings played with increased urgency and sharper execution. They outscored the 76ers 32-27, highlighted by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from De’Aaron Fox to tie the game at 57-57 going into halftime. The Kings positioned themselves well for the second half by stepping up their intensity. Fox led all Kings scorers at halftime with 16 points, while Paul George led the 76ers with 20 points in the first half.

The third quarter proved challenging for the Kings, as the 76ers seized control. Philadelphia outscored Sacramento 32-23 in the quarter, taking a commanding 89-80 lead heading into the fourth. Paul George continued his stellar play, bringing his total to 30 points through three quarters, as the Kings struggled to find answers defensively.

The fourth quarter, however, was a different story. The Kings responded with a spirited 15-0 run to close out the game. Their defensive intensity surged, allowing them to secure critical stops and swing the momentum in their favor. Sacramento outscored Philadelphia 33-18 in the final period to clinch the 113-107 win.

De’Aaron Fox was unstoppable, finishing the game with an outstanding 35 points on an exceptionally efficient 13-of-16 shooting. Notably, Paul George, who had been dominant through three quarters, was held scoreless in the fourth.

After the game, Kings HC Doug Christie expressed his approval of the team’s performance, stating, “Super, super proud of our guys. That is the type of fight that we expect on a night-to-night basis.”

Up Next: The Kings remain at home to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday at 7 PM PST.

Kings snap six game skid with 110-100 win over Mavs; Sac coach Christie picks up first win

Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie goes over the floor chart. Christie picked up his first win as Kings head coach against the Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Dec 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–Game two of the Doug Christie era took center stage at the Golden 1 Center on Monday night. The Kings hosted the Dallas Mavericks, aiming to snap a six-game losing streak at home. The Mavericks were shorthanded, missing key players Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Dereck Lively due to injuries or illness. The Kings defeated the Mavericks 110-100 on Thursday at home.

The first quarter saw the Kings caught off guard as P.J. Washington stepped up in the absence of Dallas’s star players. Washington dominated, scoring an impressive 19 points in the opening quarter. The Kings appeared disorganized and overmatched in the second game of the Doug Christie era. They were outscored 37-23 in the first quarter, quickly falling into a deep hole. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings’ efforts with eight points in the period.

In the second quarter, the Kings rallied early, clawing their way back to take the lead at 45-44 with 5:10 remaining in the half. The Mavericks’ offense cooled off, while the Kings found their rhythm. Despite the comeback, the Kings couldn’t hold their lead heading into halftime. They outscored the Mavericks 33-23 in the second quarter, but Dallas still held a narrow 60-56 advantage at the break. P.J. Washington led all scorers at halftime with 21 points, while De’Aaron Fox paced the Kings with 15 points.

The third quarter marked a turning point for the Kings. They elevated their play, overtaking the Mavericks as their shooting significantly improved. Outscoring Dallas 27-17 in the quarter, the Kings entered the fourth with an 83-77 lead. De’Aaron Fox continued to shine, leading the Kings with 23 points by the end of the period. Washington remained the game’s top scorer with 28 points. The Kings’ increased physicality and determination were instrumental in their third-quarter surge.

Building on their momentum, the Kings closed out the game strong in the fourth quarter. They maintained their intensity, sealing a 110-100 victory and snapping their six-game losing streak. The Kings outscored the Mavericks 27-23 in the final quarter. De’Aaron Fox finished as the game’s leading scorer with 33 points, while Spencer Dinwiddie led the Mavericks with 30 points in defeat. The win improved the Kings’ record to 14-19, while the Mavericks fell to 20-13 on the season.

Postgame, Doug Christie, along with Domas Sabonis and Malik Monk, each echoed the sentiment that the team “badly” needed this win.

Up Next: The Kings remain at home to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night at 7 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: NBA coaches reactions and comments of the Mike Brown firing

Sacramento Kings center Isaac Jones (left) talks things over with former Kings head coach Mike Brown (right) against the Denver Nuggets Mon Dec 16, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Sacramento Kings firing former coach Mike Brown got a huge reaction for NBA coaches we haven’t had a chance to speak with you since the firing last week and wanted to go over those coaches reactions but also your reaction as well.

#2 Coach Brown was notified by the Kings that he had been fired while he was driving to the airport trying to get a flight last Friday after he had coached the team in a morning practice. Some NBA coaches commented that move was classless.

#3 Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that the firing of Brown was shocking especially if you consider the job that he had done winning coach of the year in 2023. Your thought on coach Kerr’s comments.

#4 Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone said that he’s not surprised by the firing of coach Brown saying that he was fired by the same person at the Kings. Brown had just coached the Friday practice and called him on the phone on the way to the airport and fired Brown. Malone said that was classless, no balls.

#5 The Kings host the Dallas Mavericks tonight 7:00pm PST. The Mavs are fourth in the Western Conference and have won six of their last ten games. Meanwhile the Kings have lost six in row and are 12th in the Western Conference.

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

Kings Drop Sixth Game In a Row Losing to Lakers 132-122

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) takes a jump shot above Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (left), De’Aaron Fox (5) and Malik Monk (0) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sat Dec 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Doug Christie’s first game as Head Coach for the Sacramento (13-19) did not go well as the Kings dropped their sixth game in a row losing by the score of 132-122 continuing their free fall. The bench did not make much of an impact with 29 points.

The high for the Kings was DeAaron Fox with 29 points and DeMar DeRozan with 25. Domantas Sabonis fouled out of the game with 4:34 left in the fourth quarter. He had a double double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Keegan Murray finished the game with only five points

Game recap: The Los Angeles Lakers (18-13) got this party started in the opening 12 minutes dominating and leading 40-31 going into the second quarter. Sacramento came roaring back in the second quarter dictating the pace outscoring the Lakers 35-25.

At the half the Kings had a 66-65 lead in this hotly contested first half. Four of the Kings starters had shot double figures after two quarters and Sacramento was dominating in the paint. The Kings bench production however was disappointing and has been poor all season.

Going into the third quarter, the Lakers took back the lead and at 7:21 had taken a 86-78 advantage. The Kings were in foul trouble with Sabonis committing four, Kyler Murray and Trey Lyles with three apiece.

Through 3 1/2 quarters Sacramento was protecting the ball well with only four turnovers. The Kings were flat from beyond the arc shooting 26% to the Lakers almost 58%. Los Angeles continued to extend their lead to 96-85 with 2:57 left in the quarter.

The King’s Sabonis clocked another double double in the third quarter but the offensive production from Sabonis, Fox and Murray was quiet as the quarter wound down with the Lakers leading by 17 points 107-90 their largest lead of the game . Los Angeles had dominated the third quarter as the Kings began to take wild shots that were missing badly.

The fourth quarter continued to go poorly for the Kings. They continued to fall further behind with the Lakers taking a 20 point lead 113-93 with 9:20 left in the game. The Kings began to make up some ground cutting the Lakers 20 point lead to 13 with 8:16 left on the clock.

The Lakers held on for the remainder of the game. Sabonis fouled out of the game with 5:20 left with his team trailing 110-119. The final was 132-122 and the Kings had lost their sixth game in a row.

The Lakers dominated for the majority of this game. Anthony Davis finished with 36 points and 15 rebounds. Austin Reeves had 26 and Rui Hachimura finished with 21.

It was a tough night for the Kings considering what had transpired Friday. They protected the ball well in this game with only ten turnovers but offensive production was down. Fox finished the game with 29 points followed by DeRozan with 25. Murray only had five points in 29 minutes of play. Sabonis fouled out in the fourth quarter with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Game notes: Saturday night the Kings traveled down to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers. After the initial shock of the firing of Head Coach Mike Brown, the Kings took the court with interim head coach Doug Christie at the helm.

Christie is expected to remain in this role for the remainder of the season. The firing of Brown sent shock waves across the NBA with numerous coaches not only surprised but also vocal and one of the most outspoken was ex Kings coach and current Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.

This scenario had played out in 2013-14 with Malone being the guy who was given his walking papers in Sacramento. While the firing was shocking, the manner in which it all came down was even more disturbing. It had been a normal morning practice prior to their game with the Lakers Saturday night.

Brown did his post media meeting and then headed to the airport for the short flight to Los Angeles. He gets a call in his car from the Kings owner Vivek Ranadive and was fired. Malone had some rather colorful language regarding the firing having gone through this himself.

Steve Kerr was also vocal in his remarks regarding the firing as were other coaches in the league. The Kings took the court without Brown and it is business as usual. Some of the King’s players have gone through this changing of the guard, Fox one of them, while others have not.

This was a wild move that could go in one of two directions. It could get the Kings back on track or it could backfire and only time will tell. Saturday night the Kings had all five starters on the floor as they struggle to fight their way back to .500 and beyond.

Next up: Monday night the Kings will be back in Sacramento, where they have really struggled, to take on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM. The Kings will be looking for their first win under interim head coach Christie at Golden 1 Arena.