Tag: NBA

Kings Fall to Grizzlies 115-107 as Bench Outshines Starters

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Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 30, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings returned home from a brief one-game road trip in Utah where they lost 128-119 on Friday night. The Kings welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies to Golden 1 Center on Sunday in the Kings’ last home game until December 11th. The Kings lost to the Grizzlies 115-107 amongst the fog.

In the first quarter, it was an all-too-familiar story for the Kings this season. The starters, consisting of guys like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, got the Kings into an early nine-point deficit. However, the Kings bench rallied back and managed to take the lead, sharing a positive +8 over their minutes on the court. The Kings outscored the Grizzlies 35-31 in the first quarter as they looked to continue what the young guys started.

In the second, neither team was able to create much separation as the Grizzlies barely edged the Kings in the second quarter. The Grizzlies outscored the Kings 31-24 in the quarter to take a three-point 62-59 lead into halftime. The Kings had overall shown a solid effort in the first half that they hoped they could build on in the second half of the game. Zach LaVine led the Kings in first-half scoring with 14 points, and Malik Monk dropped 10 points as the runner-up. The Kings only attempted eight (three made) three-pointers in the first half, which wasn’t a recipe for sustained success in the second half.

In the third quarter coming out of halftime, the starters for the Kings immediately let the Grizzlies go on a 6-0 run to open the quarter. However, the Kings fought to come back and take the lead going into the fourth quarter. The Kings outscored the Grizzlies 28-21 in the third quarter and took the four-point 87-83 lead to the final 12 minutes of the game. The disparity between the Kings starters and bench couldn’t be more evident, as the starting unit posted a combined individual -70 through the first three quarters and the bench countered with a combined +90 in the same span.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings couldn’t hold their slim lead and were outscored by the Grizzlies 32-20 in the quarter to drop the game by a 115-107 final. The Kings couldn’t get the job done as Zach Edey led the way for the Grizzlies with a career-high 32 points. The Kings were led in defeat by DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk, who scored 23 and 21 points respectively for the Kings.

After the game, most of the Kings players quickly vacated the locker room without much to say after another loss at home.

Up Next: The Kings head out on the road to take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. PST.

Golden State defeats New Orleans Pelicans on Filipino Heritage Night, 104-96

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Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III, right, drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – On a cool Saturday evening in San Francisco, the Golden State Warriors faced the New Orleans Pelicans at 5:30 p.m. inside Chase Center for Filipino Heritage Night. The game marks the teams’ second clash this season, with Golden State winning the previous 124-106 on November 17 at New Orleans. In the game, Warriors guard Moses Moody scored 32 points to lead his team on the road.

This also marked the return of former Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney. Looney was drafted by Golden State in 2015 and spent a decade as a fierce rebounder and versatile defender, winning championships in 2017, 2018, and 2022 while filling any role coach Steve Kerr asked of him. This summer, he agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. During his time in the Bay, the Warriors paid him tributes through video and warm welcomes from former teammates.

Golden State had to play the game without Stephen Curry. The Warriors have an offensive rating of 118.2 with him on the court and 105.2 without him. The team is prepared to play a few games without him. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had this to say about the situation. “Its a good opportunity for us to forge an identity without him… but this year were not playing well with and without him. So we have a chance to show the league what we can do with and without him.”

Quinten Post made the Warriors’ first three-pointer of the game, putting them on the board. However, that would be their only shot from beyond the arc throughout the first quarter. The long-range problems continued into the second half, with Golden State hitting only 2-for-22 from three in the first half, for a cold 9.1%. Despite their terrible outside shooting, the Warriors remained competitive by attacking in transition and creating scoring opportunities with cuts in the paint.

A major momentum shift happened midway through the second quarter when Micah Peavy of New Orleans committed a common foul on Jimmy Butler III that was reviewed and raised to a flagrant 1. Butler made the free throws, and the action shifted momentum back to Golden State. The Warriors then completed the half strongly, going 8-for-9 at the line to reclaim control.

Golden State led 42-38 at halftime, combining their defensive effort with improved ball movement to reach a rhythm late in the half. Through two quarters, the Warriors had 25 rebounds and 11 assists, led by standout performances from Gary Payton II (12 points, 5 rebounds) and Jimmy Butler III (11 points, six rebounds, five assists).

New Orleans struggled from deep as well, matching Golden State’s 9.1% outside shooting with a 1-for-11 performance from three. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 6 points and 3 rebounds, but he received two personal fouls, limiting the impact he had.

Both teams returned from halftime with renewed energy, especially from beyond the arc. After a sluggish first half, the Warriors eventually found their shooting rhythm in the third quarter, hitting five three-pointers to spark the offense. Brandin Podziemski had a stunning stretch in the quarter, scoring ten points, while Jimmy Butler III continued his stellar performance with eight points. Golden State’s ball movement also improved significantly, with the team racking up ten assists in the third quarter as backdoor cuts and fast passes regularly broke down the Pelicans’ defense.

New Orleans answered with a surge of its own. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 11 points in the third quarter, attacking downhill and forcing the Warriors to adjust defensively. Jeremiah Fears contributed a crucial 8 points, allowing New Orleans to keep up during the back-and-forth momentum swings.

As the game approached the final five minutes of regulation, the intensity only grew. With both teams trading baskets and defensive stops, the score drew closer and eventually tied at 87-87.

In the final stretch, Golden State took control because of brilliant offensive execution, aggressive rebounding, and accurate ball movement. Podziemski made his third three-pointer to increase the lead, and the Pelicans battled to keep up with the Warriors’ tempo. Several Warriors players finished with double-digit figures, featuring Draymond Green, who had nine rebounds and four assists, earning his only points in the final 40 seconds on a technical foul. New Orleans’ Jeremiah Fears was removed with 40 seconds left after receiving two technical fouls; he finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists.

Golden State held on for a 104-96 victory, improving their record and showcasing the depth and adaptability that would be needed in Curry’s absence. The Warriors are now 11-10 for the season.

Golden State’s Jimmy Butler led the way with 24 points, ten assists, and eight rebounds, while Gary Payton II added 19 points and 11 rebounds, giving them each a double-double.

After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said this regarding the team’s early problems from deep: “If you take care of the ball, get shot on goal, it just sets the game up.. it didn’t feel that rhythmic, but it felt clean, we weren’t turning it over, the shots will start going in. We got a really good shooting team.”

Golden State held on for a 104-96 win and will now focus on its next game. The Warriors return home to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2025 NBA Champions, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 8:00 PM on NBC/Peacock.

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey: Kings drop second straight game this time to Utah

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Sacramento Kings guard Zach Levine (8) goes for the dunk against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Fri Nov 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 With Zach LaVine coming off a recent slump, bounced back and lead the Kings in scoring vs. the Jazz with 34 points.

#2 How did Russell Westbrook’s playmaking — assists and ball-movement — impact the Kings’ offensive flow against Utah’s defense Friday night?

#3 In the absence of Domantas Sabonis (out injured), Keegan Murray stepped up in the frontcourt and help the Kings battle on the boards and finished second in scoring with 23 points.

#4 Was DeMar DeRozan’s experience and mid-range scoring was enough to stretch the Jazz’s defense and open driving lanes for teammates? DeRozan finished with 16 points.

#5 Given the Kings’ recent defensive issues, how much did the supporting cast struggle against the Jazz’s pace on Friday night?

Tony Harvey does the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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. 

Kings Suffer Tough Lose to Utah Jazz 128-119; Jazz end 4 game loss streak; Sac drops 2nd straight game

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Utah Jazz guard Keynote George (right) dunks over the Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (left) in the first half at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Fri Nov 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (5-15) had a really slow start in their matchup with the Utah Jazz (6-12) in the opening quarter and it carried on into the second and third quarters. The Kings were unable to make up the difference in the fourth quarter despite outscoring the Jazz 38-32.

The Jazz won the first three quarters winning the game 128-119. The Kings starters turned in some nice number with Zach LaVine shooting the team high of 34. Keegan Murray also had nice numbers with 23 points. The Sacramento bench chipped in 24 points which was no match for the 46 points the Utah bench hit.

Game recap: The Jazz had a great start in this game winning both quarters in the first half. They outscored the Kings in the opening quarter 30-27 and went on to outscore Sacramento in the second quarter as well 32-24 leading at the half 62-51.

This was not the start that the Kings wanted to see. They only had 5 turnovers in the first half but they fell short at the line only shooting 13 of 20 for 65%. They struggled from beyond the arc with Keegan Murray going 0 for 4 and Zach LaVine 1 of 4 the team only hitting 5 of 15.

They would be looking to a far better second half. They had pulled to within four points of the Jazz in the final minute of the half but Utah pushed their lead back out to 62-51 to finish off the first half. Sacramento would need a whole lot more in the second half.

The Jazz continued to dominate in the third quarter although the Kings made a nice run at 7:16 pulling to within two points 67-65 only to let the Jazz off the hook. Utah pushed their lead back out to 80-72 as the clock began to wind down on the quarter.

The Jazz’s Keyonte George was having a terrific game already having scored 22 points through three quarters. Utah’s bench had a cumulative 25 points to the Kings ten. Trailing by 17 points 90-73 the Kings had a whole lot of work to do in the fourth quarter.

Through three quarters the Jazz had dominated and the Kings were unable to stop them in a real lackluster showing. It had so far been a very disappointing game for Sacramento. Two minutes into the final quarter the Kings had cut the Jazz lead to ten points 93-83.

The Utah bench was putting together some great offense already having hit 37 points with 7:35 left in the game. Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and the Utah bench were just too much for Sacramento dominating all night.

Game notes: Prior to losing to the Phoenix Sun Wednesday night, the Kings had really come to life delivering losses to two of the NBA’s elite, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets. Keegan Murray continues to take charge offensively.

When asked by the coaching staff to play more aggressively he has done just that putting up some good numbers. Friday night they lost to the Jazz in Utah at Delta Center. Besides being without Domantas Sabonis they were without a huge weapon off the bench Dennis Schroeder who is out with a hip injury.

In their only meeting this season the Kings prevailed in a one-point victory 105-104 over the Jazz. Utah will played without Walter Kessler who is scheduled to have left shoulder surgery and will unfortunately miss the remainder of the season. The biggest threat that the Kings had to defend against is Lauri Markkanen who finished second in scoring with 28 points.

Sunday evening the Kings will be back home at Golden 1 Arena welcoming the Memphis Grizzlies. Sacramento got walloped by the Grizzlies a little over a week ago in the only game they have played so far this season 137-96. It is a given that they will to be looking for a little payback. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 6:00 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 podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings face Jazz tonight at Delta Center In Utah; Sac in a fight to get back in win column

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Phoenix Suns Mark Williams (15) battle for the ball against the Sacramento Kings Russell Westbrook (18) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Wed Nov 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The Sacramento Kings after winning two in a row against the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a tough game to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night 112-110 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.

#2 The Suns Mark Williams scored 21 points and 16 rebounds, Colin Gillespie scored 21 and it helped the Suns grab an early lead.

#3 Willams also shot nine for 12 from the field and grabbed nine offensive rebounds and established himself in the inside game Gillespie also had nine assists.

#4 For the Kings four players in double figures both Russell Westbrook and Keegan Murray both tied on the leaderboard with 19 points but none the less the Kings fell short two points dropping their record to 5-14.

#5 The Kings are in Utah Friday night. The Utah Jazz have lost four in a row and host the Kings at the Delta Center Friday night. Could this be a game where the Kings can pick up a victory?

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

Zach LaVine’s Shooting Woes Continue as Kings Fall to Suns 112-100

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Zach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on November 26, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.(Mandatory Photo Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — Riding the most optimism the Kings have had all season, Sacramento welcomed the Phoenix Suns to Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night. The Kings failed to keep the winning streak going as they fell to the Suns 112-100.

In the first quarter, the Kings played one of the worst quarters of the season. The Suns blew the Kings off the court and outscored them 41-16, with Devin Booker scoring 12 points in the quarter. The Kings didn’t take care of the ball as they turned it over seven times, leading to 12 Suns points and setting the tone early. Kings fans booed the team off the court as the quarter came to a close.

In the second quarter, the Kings settled in to stop the bleeding, but they didn’t make any dent in the Suns’ lead heading into halftime. The Kings were outscored 29-26 in the second quarter as Russell Westbrook led the team with seven points in the period. The Kings trailed the Suns 67-45 as the game went to halftime. The Kings were led in scoring in the first half by Russell Westbrook, who scored 12 points, while Devin Booker led all scorers with 15 first-half points. The Kings continued to get punished by turnovers as they gave the Suns 11 free possessions in the first half, leading to 19 Phoenix points. Phoenix led by as many as 25 points in the first half as the Kings couldn’t find a way to contain the Suns.

In the third quarter, the Kings finally went on a run to get themselves back into the game. The Kings outscored the Suns 28-16. The Kings, led by Malik Monk, Keegan Murray, and Keon Ellis, got within 10 points as the third quarter ended 83-73 in favor of the Suns. The defense played by the aforementioned, along with 16 combined points from Murray and Monk, gave the Kings a fighting chance in the final 12 minutes.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings couldn’t keep their third-quarter efforts going as they were outscored 29-27 and lost to the Suns 112-100. The Kings’ efforts in the first quarter proved too much to overcome, finishing the game with 19 turnovers that led to 34 Suns points. Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook combined for 11 turnovers as Zach’s struggles continued. LaVine finished the game 1-6 from three as he continues to go through one of his worst shooting slumps since being acquired by the Kings last season.

After the game, Doug Christie was saddened by the Kings’ efforts after such a gritty performance on Monday against the Timberwolves.

“About as disappointing as it gets,” Doug said following the game. “I probably should have called a timeout within the first six seconds with the very first turnover—attention to detail, matching physicality—but we all got to be better, me included.”

With the loss, the Kings fell to 5-14 and are now 3-6 at home.

Up Next: The Kings will travel to Utah to take on the Jazz on Friday at 6:30 p.m. PST inside Delta Center.

Keegan Murray Carries Kings to Gritty Overtime Win Over Timberwolves 117-112

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Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings three point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 24, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings returned home on Monday after a brutal five-game, 10-day trip in which they only managed to go 1-4. The Kings, in front of a passionate Sacramento crowd, defeated the Timberwolves 117-112.

In the first quarter, neither the Kings nor the Timberwolves were hitting their shots to start the night. In the end, the Timberwolves outscored the Kings 27-23 to take the early lead in the game. Sacramento shot 45% from the field and wasn’t able to connect on a three all quarter as the Timberwolves shot 44% and 27% from the three-point line. Anthony Edwards provided the majority of the spark for the Wolves, scoring 12 points in the first quarter.

In the second, each team scored the exact same number of points as the first quarter, with Minnesota putting up 27 and Sacramento 23. The Wolves went into halftime with the 54-46 lead. The Kings were hanging with the Wolves, but neither team had gone on a big offensive run, which remained a concern for the Kings in the second half. The Kings’ leading first-half scorer was Keegan Murray with 15 points, and Anthony Edwards led the Wolves with 17.

In the third, the Kings continued to hang with the Wolves. The Kings outscored the Timberwolves in the third quarter 31-28 as they looked to make a fourth quarter comeback. DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook led the Kings and their efforts in the third, scoring 10 and seven, respectively. The Kings headed into the final 12 minutes of the game trailing the Wolves 82-77.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings showed a level of fight that they haven’t shown all season. The Kings were playing physical defense and forcing big mistakes from the Wolves on the other end of the floor. The Kings were able to outscore the Wolves 24-19 to force an overtime session in their first game back since the road trip. The game headed to overtime tied at 101 as DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk finished regulation all with more than 20 points in the game.

In the overtime session, the Timberwolves were careless with the ball as the Kings forced the issue with pressure on the defensive end. The Wolves committed five turnovers in overtime, which led to seven Sacramento points. The Kings outscored the Wolves 16-11 in the extra five minutes to win the game 117-112. The Kings improved to 5-13 on the season as Keegan Murray led the group with 26 points and 14 rebounds.

After the game, DeMar DeRozan spoke highly of Keegan’s value and the impact he has had since his return.

“Keegan is, uhh, key to this team,” DeMar said. “It’s his team. He’s one of those guys that’s going to be very, very special in this league, and he’s showing it.”

Doug Christie echoed those same sentiments after the game, saying, “He’s a special player, man.”

The Kings’ season hasn’t gone to plan so far this year. The team is mired in trade rumors and angst among the fans about the future of the team. However, that doesn’t stop Kings fans from showing up.

On Tuesday, as the 4-13 Kings returned home after an abysmal road trip, a raucous 16,957 welcomed home the team as if they were heroes returning from war. That says something about the fan base in Sacramento. That’s special. That’s abnormal.

Up Next: The Sacramento Kings stay home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. PST at Golden 1 Center.

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 podcast Barbara Mason: Kings breath collectively after snapping 8 game skid

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The Sacramento Kings Malik Monk (0) drives on the Denver Nuggets Bruce Brown (right) in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Sat Nov 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 The Sacramento Kings Russell Westbrook scored 15 of 21 points against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter on Saturday in the Kings 128-123 win at Ball Arena in Denver.

#2 The Nuggets Nikola Jokic scored 44 points but in spite of that the Kings were pulled it off picking up their fourth win of the season.

#3 It was a big win for the Kings as they finally snapped their long eight game losing streaks.

#4 The Kings Dennis Schroder scored 21 points which was a huge contribution for the win. The Kings in their eight loses in a row had lost each of those games in double digits.

#5 Next up for the Minnesota Timberwolves have been playing .500 ball of late going 2-2 in their last four games. The last time the Kings met the Wolves back on Fri Nov 14 at the Target Center in Minneapolis the Timberwolves picked up the win 124-110. Tip for the Timberwolves and Kings at 7:00pm at Golden One Center.

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

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. 

Kings Losing Streak Comes to an End Beating Nuggets 128-123

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Sacramento Kings center Precious Achiuwa (left) defends against the Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (right) in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Sat Nov 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (4-3) beat the Denver Nuggets (12-4) 127-123 to end an eight-game losing streak. The Kings played a great fourth quarter holding off the Nuggets in the final seconds in a great finish for Sacramento.

Keegan Murray in his second game of the season after coming back from injury finished with 19 points and five rebounds. The high for the Kings was starter Russsell Westbrook with 21 points and six rebounds who lit up in the fourth quarter and Dennis Schroeder who also scored 21 points off the bench.

Game recap: The Kings and Nuggets played a close first half with the Nuggets taking the early lead outscoring the Kings 35-31 in the first quarter. Sacramento went on to outscore Denver in the second quarter in a close one 31-30.

Denver took a 65-61 lead into the locker room at the half and this was anyone’s game going into the third quarter. At the half Zach LaVine had scored 13 points and Keegan Murray was on the brink of double digits with nine points.

Less than two minutes into the third quarter the Kings called a timeout. The Nuggets scored a quick six points in the first two minutes taking a 71-64 lead prompting the stoppage. Sacramento had been able to hang around keeping the Nuggets on their toes but never taking the lead giving the Nuggets a slight upper hand.

The timeout didn’t do a lot for the Kings but the Nuggets went on a ten point run taking a 79-66 lead. With under four minutes left in the quarter the Kings had significantly trimmed the Nuggets lead only trailing by two points 81-79.

With under three minutes left on the clock this game was tied at 84. With 1:24 left in the third quarter the Kings took an 89-88 lead. After three quarters Nikola Jokic had scored 24 points but it was the Kings Dennis Schroeder who had scored 21 points off the bench that was keeping the Kings in this game.

Going into the fourth quarter the Nuggets held a slim 92-91 lead. At 7:23 the Kings took their largest lead of the game 107-101. With under six minutes left in the game the Kings continued to extend their lead 112-103.

With under a minute left in the game Sacramento was hanging onto a 123-117 lead. As the clock ran out the awful eight-game losing streak for the Kings had come to an end. The final was 128-123 for the Kings fourth win of the season.

Sacramento had a great finish in the latter minutes of the fourth quarter. They played well from every vantage, they only had seven turnovers and they shot 96% from the line only missing one free throw.

They had eight steals and the Nuggets conceded 20 points off their 13 turnovers. Despite Nikola Jokic scoring 44 points Sacramento’s game was well-rounded with Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroeder shooting for 21 points apiece. Murray had a great game in his first as starter with 19 points and five rebounds.

Game notes: Saturday night the Kings finished up a road trip that yielded four straight road losses and coupled with four straight home losses the Kings is struggled with an eight game losing streak which ended on Saturday night in Denver.

Saturday night the Kings took on the Nuggets, the Kings were desperate for a win and were able to break the eight game losing streak against one of the winningest teams in the NBA Western Conference.

After losing to the Timberwolves, the Spurs the Thunder and the Grizzlies on the road Sacramento beat the Nuggets for the first time this season. The two teams met for a third time this season the Kings having lost their first two matchups.

The Nuggets are currently in second place in the Western Conference while the Kings are in 14th place in the conference. Sacramento has been greatly tested all season and Saturday night’s game was more of the same with the Kings passing a big test with the win.

The Kings will be without Domantas Sabonis for quite a few weeks due to a left knee partially torn meniscus but the good news for Sacramento is the return of Keegan Murray who played his first game this season last Thursday against the Grizzlies scoring 11 points off the bench. In Saturday night’s game Murray started for Sacramento.

The Kings will now head home to Sacramento; a trip that that is bound to be a much more pleasant ride after a great win Saturday night. They will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night at Golden 1 Arena.

They have met twice so far this season and the TImberwolves won both games. The Kings will be looking for yet another upset. They had a nicely balanced offense in Saturday night’s game and with Keegan Murray back on the court they played a much improved game Saturday night. Tip-off for Monday’s game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey: With Sabonis out who will step up? Kings tip off with Denver tonight

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Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis will be out with a torn meniscus for three to four weeks. (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings questions Tony Harvey:

#1 With Domantas Sabonis reportedly sidelined for 3–4 weeks with a torn meniscus, how will the Kings replace his production in the paint, and who ( Jonas Valančiūnas or Precious Achiuwa) will step up?

#2 Can Malik Monk and Zach LaVine carry the offensive load and hit enough big shots to keep pace with Denver’s scoring?

#3 What role will Keegan Murray play on the wing, especially defensively, to help contain Denver’s versatility?

#4 How will the Kings’ backup big men (with Sabonis out) perform against Nikola Jokić, and will their rotation be able to mitigate his impact?

#5 Without Sabonis anchoring the defense, can DeMar DeRozan contribute on both ends (scoring + rebounding) to help Sacramento stay competitive?

Listen to the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Saturday with Tony Harvey at http://www.sportsradioservice.com