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?
Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) takes the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) in the first half at the Fed Ex Arena in Memphis on Thu Nov 25, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Thursday night the Sacramento Kings (3-13) met up with the Memphis Grizzlies (5-11) at FedExForum. The outcome was one of the worst games this team has played in a very long time.
The triumphant return of Keegan Murray was completely overshadowed by the final score of 137-96. The Kings conceded 30 points off the 17 turnovers they committed. Despite the Grizzlies being short-handed missing Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson and Ty Jerome Memphis handled the Kings with ease outscoring them in all four quarters.
The Kings have struggled mightily this season and between an unimaginable schedule, defensive woes along with a team that is just not falling into place they are in deep trouble. Thursday night the Kings thought what they got what might be a bit of a break as they lost to the Grizzlies who are contending with issues of their own.
In Thursday’s game the Grizzlies have Jaren Jackson, Ja Morant and Ty Jerome out which didn’t hurt them. The Kings also announced some bad news in the absence of Domantas Sabonis who is likely out for a significant time due to a left knee meniscus tear.
The injury was originally thought to be left knee soreness but further testing revealing the tear. He will more than likely be out deep into December and will not be re-evaluated for up to four weeks.
Sabonis has really been banged up so far this season and this recent injury just further sends the team into a very dark place. Thursday night the Kings who have lost eight consecutive games by double figures after losing to the Grizzlies.
The Kings failed to get on the winning track as they couldn’t defeat another struggling team in the Grizzlies. Memphis comes into this game after losing to the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night 111-101.
Game recap: What revealed itself what an epic shocker. Sacramento had high hopes with the return of Keegan Murray who was cleared for Thursday night’s game. Could this be the reinforcement that the team needs, the player that will elevate the team?
Murray had missed the entire season, the first 15 games. As the first quarter got underway things went haywire from the get go. Sacramento has failed at times to generate much offense and this game was no different.
After the first 12 minutes of play Sacramento trailed by the score of 35-22. It was still early in the game but the second quarter was even worse with the Kings getting outscored by the Grizzlies 40-25 and trailing 75-47 at the half getting demolished by the short-handed Grizzlies. It was the stuff that nightmares are made of.
After three quarters the tally continued to blow-up for Memphis as they outscored the Kings 38-29 taking a 113-76 lead into the fourth quarter. It was an embarrassment of epic proportion. As the clock wore down on the fourth quarter the Grizzlies had won all four quarters.
They outscored the Kings in the final quarter 24-20; the final was 137-96. The Grizzlies had snapped their their five-game losing streak. Needless to say the Memphis Grizzlies were on fire taking full advantage of the absence of Sabonis inside. Zach Edey and Jock Landale worked the inside only missing one of their 13 shots taken in the first half. Edey finished with 16 points and Landale chipped in 13 points.
One can only imagine what the locker room looks like right now. So much is going so wrong for the Sacramento Kings. Zach LaVine had the team high with 26 points and was four of eight from downtown.
Keegan Murray in his return scored 11 points and was on the floor for 33 minutes. Maxime Raynaud had 12 points off the bench. The Kings conceded 30 points off their 17 turnovers. Where the team goes from here is anybody’s guess but drastic changes seem to be in order. Sacramento has now lost eight games in a row and where it goes from here remains to be seen.
Morale has to be at an all-time low as the Kings faced with yet another game this Saturday traveling to Denver for a matchup with Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. It will take a lot to bounce back from this game but the team has no other choice. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) takes a shot over the Sacramento Kings guards Nique Clifford (5) and Dennis Schroder (17) at Pay Com Center in Oklahoma City on Wed Nov 19, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
It was more of the same for the Sacramento Kings (3-12) as they took on the NBA defending champions the powerhouse Oklahoma City Thunder (15-1) losing 113-99. As we have seen over and over this season, the Kings are fully capable of hanging with the best but have fallen way short closing out games in the second half.
The Kings offense fell short with some frankly embarrassing numbers in fact it was bench player Drew Eubanks who had the high for the team with 21 points. When you have Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook combine for 15 points there is reason for some real concern.
Game recap: The first quarter was a real fight between the two teams with the Thunder edging Sacramento 27-25 after the first 12 minutes of play. The Kings took the lead briefly several times in the opening quarter. The largest lead for the Thunder was four points as the scrappy Kings fought hard throughout the quarter.
The second quarter was another battle between the two teams with the Kings threatening to take the lead but just coming up short. As the final minutes of the half wound down, the Thunder started to turn the quarter around finishing with an eight-point lead 58-50 their largest of the game. OKC had outscored the Kings 31-25.
Sacramento had a productive first half of basketball. They had decent ball protection with seven turnovers only conceding four points on those turnovers. They were shooting at a 31% clip from beyond the arc, the Thunder at 19%.
They had fallen short at the line only making six of 11 for a 55% success rate. Sacramento also struggled in the paint making 22 points to the Thunder’s 30. The good news was that the Kings had not made it at all easy for OKC and they had done it with two of their best players out with injury.
Dennis Schroeder had been terrific off the bench scoring 15 points the only King in double figures. Sacramento’s Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan had slow starts in the first half.
It was not a great start in the third quarter for the Kings with the Thunder extending their lead 61-50 when Chet Holmgren sunk a 25-foot jumper prompting a Sacramento time out. After OKC had taken a 13 point lead the Kings rallied mid-way through the quarter cutting the Thunder lead in half 67-61.
Turnovers continued to hamper the Kings committing nine more in the quarter.. After a nice King’s run the Thunder pushed back extending their lead back out to 83-67 and the Thunder were looking to take this one home for their 15th win of the season. OKC took the 83-67 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Thunder hung on leading by double digits throughout the fourth quarter and closed out this game winning by the score of 113-99 for their 15th win of the season.
Drew Schroeder had the team high of 21 coming off the bench. Only two starters had double figures, DeMar DeRozan with 17 and Precious Achiuwa with 15. The Kings had 18 turnovers, 11 in the second quarter. Sacramento’s season record continues to plummet and there seems to be no relief in sight.
Game notes: Wednesday evening in Oklahoma City, the Kings took on another giant, the league leading Thunder. Sacramento had faced a crazy schedule since the season began taking on the elite of the NBA. Wednesday night as they faced the NBA Champions, a team that has only lost a single game this season; they were tested to their core.
Unfortunately the Kings were short-handed with one of their key players Domantas Sabonis out. Sabonis has been playing through a ribcage issue forcing him to miss time on the court and now more misery with a knee injury.
OKC will be missing Jalen Williams out with a wrist injury. The Thunder come into this game after beating the New Orlean Pelicans Monday night 126-109 while the Kings lost their sixth game in a row to the San Antonio Spurs.
The Sacramento starting lineup will start Drew Eubanks in Sabonis’ place. We have seen the Kings hang with the best of the best this season but we have also seen them drop leads in the fourth quarter with regularity.
The Kings will continue this road trip Thursday heading to Memphis taking on the Grizzlies who are also struggling this season with a 4-11 record. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 PM.
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) hit a season high of 28 points against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Sun Nov 16, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 Former Sacramento King and current San Antonio Spur De’Aaron Fox scored a season high 28 points with 11 assists against his old teammates in a 123-110 win.
#2 The Spurs pulled it off without the help of Victor Wembanyama who missed his first game of the 2025-26 season with a calf injury.
#3 It was a game of former Kings players haunted their old teammates one of them the Spurs Harrison Barnes scored 20 points and Devin Vassell scored 16 points and the Kings were the cure for the Spurs as San Antonio snapped their two game losing streak.
#4 Things continue to be rough for the Kings as they have now lost six games in a row and still can’t figure out how to get out of this funk as they drop their overall record to 3-11.
#5 The try once again to snap out of this long losing streak this time against the Oklahoma City Thunder at OKC. The Thunder no doubt the hottest team in the NBA with a 13-1 record with a five game win streak. The Kings with a six game losing streak and will have their hands full who face one of the NBA’s toughest this Wed Nov 19th at PayCom 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 guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives on the San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Sun Nov 16, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The Sacramento Kings (3-11) trailed the entire game in their sixth straight loss falling to the San Antonio Spurs (9-4) 123-110. It was more of the same, falling behind early sprinkled with some questionable defense and some poor offense.
DeMar DeRozan had the game high with 27 points and Domantas Sabonis recorded another double double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Dennis Schroeder was spectacular off the bench with 22 points and six rebounds.
They were the good news in yet another loss for the team. It is just a matter of time before we see some long overdue changes as re-building seems to be the only option for the team. It is still early in the season but nothing seems to change for this current lineup and keeping them in place doesn’t seem a wise option. Whether these changes come sooner or later, they are coming.
Game recap: As the first quarter got underway both Domantas Sabonis and Precious Achiuwa both were in the line up despite being doubtful before the start of the game.
As has been the case far too often, the Kings trailed after the first 12 minutes of play. The Spurs had a 36-24 lead going into the second quarter. Sacramento started to turn things around outscoring the Spurs in the second quarter 35-31. San Antonio took a 67-59 lead into the locker room at the half.
As the third quarter got underway the Spurs continued to extend their lead and had actually led by 19 points in the quarter. As the quarter wore down the Kings had trimmed the San Antonio lead trailing by ten points going into the fourth quarter which has proven to be their achilles heel all season.
Unlike their last game, DeMar DeRozan was having a great game but Zach LaVine was having another slow start. Dennis Schroeder was solid off the bench and this game was still within reach with San Antonio leading 95-85 after three quarters but it was critical for Sacramento to start strong in the final quarter of the game.
Unfortunately for the Kings, they did not start the quarter strong instead they gave up two quick baskets, a De’Aaron Fox three-pointer followed by another Fox 18-foot jump-shot increasing their lead to 100-85 .
Sacramento rallied five minutes into the quarter cutting the Spur’s lead to single digits 105-98 but that’s where it all stalled out. San Antonio closed the game out winning by the score of 123-107 and Sacramento had increased their losing streak to six.
Domantas Sabonis recorded another double double in the game with 17 points and 13 rebounds. DeMar DeRosan had a terrific game scoring 27 points with four assists. Zach LaVine never came around and finished with eight points, two rebounds and three assists.
Russell Westbrook was solid with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists a great effort. Dennis Schroeder had a sound performance off the bench finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. Malik Monk also had a worthy effort scoring 16 points.
Fox finished the game with 28 points, the game high. Luke Kornet had a double double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Harrison Barnes also had a terrific game for the Spurs with 20 points. The San Antonio bench scored a combined 42 points in the game the same number that the Kings bench scored.
Game notes: Sunday afternoon the Kings once again suffered another loss this time against the Spurs Sunday. The Kings lost to the Timberwolves Friday via another disastrous fourth quarter meltdown.
The Kings kept pace with Minnesota through three quarters but fell apart in the final quarter of the game. Struggles abound for the team. They have the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league as well as the sixth-worst offense.
The Kings consistently fall behind early and faces having to fight from behind. This trend continues game after game along with the fourth quarter woes. They can’t string together stops and continue to give up high scoring quarters giving opponents a huge edge.
They had three good quarters recently against the Nuggets and the Timberwolves but ugly starts in the fourth quarter of those games signaled the end. Unfortunately it’s not one player who is struggling defensively, the hard truth is that it’s the entire team and they do it game in and game out.
The Spurs come into this game without their superstar Victor Wembanyama who missed the game with calf tightness. This could have been a huge break for the Kings but will they couldn’t take advantage. They had to face former teammate DeAaron Fox who scored 28 points against his former teammates.
The Kings loss now puts them on a six-game losing streak and they need to find a way to get back in the win column. The Kings Domantas Sabonis was listed as questionable but ended up playing with a left ribcage contusion and Precious Achiuwa played the game.
The Kings will now travel to Oklahoma City jumping from the frying pan into the fire as they take on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder on Wednesday night November 19th as this brutal schedule continues. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 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.
LeBron James (left) and Bronny James (right) watch a game this season. LeBron is out with a sciatic nerve on his right side and has missed all 13 Lakers games this season but could be returning soon according to reports as he’s been rehabbing in the G League (AP file photo)
NBA podcast Charlie O:
#1 Sciatica on his right side is keeping LeBron James out of the game for the Los Angeles Lakers he’s missed 13 games so far?
#2 Willie Green former New Orleans Pelicans head coach was fired Nov 15 following a 2-10 start to the season, marking the first coaching change of the 2025-26 campaign?
#3 Stephen Curry scored 49 points and delivered the win for the Golden State Warriors 109-108 win over the San Antonio Spurs Friday?
#4 With LaMelo Ball upgraded to “probable” for his return from an injury, he’ll be back with the Charlotte Hornets and he and the Hornets will face the Toronto Raptors Mon Nov 17?
#5 Ex NBA player Patrick Beverley facing assault after his recent arrest, Beverly found his sister with a man in the middle of the night and was concerned. Beverly was accused of felony assault.
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis is disappointed after missing a shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sat Nov 15, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:
#1 How will De’Aaron Fox look to exploit the Spurs’ perimeter defense, particularly in pick-and-roll situations against Victor Wembanyama’s length?
#2 Can Domantas Sabonis control the paint against San Antonio’s frontcourt, and how might his playmaking from the high post disrupt the Spurs’ defensive schemes?
#3 Will Keegan Murray’s absence especially his perimeter shooting and can be a decisive factor in stretching the Spurs’ defense?
#4 How important will Malik Monk’s bench scoring and creativity be in matching San Antonio’s second-unit production?
#5 The Kings bring a five game losing streak into San Antonio can they get a quick fix and get the current skid deep sixed and pick up a win against the Spurs?
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 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.
DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Golden 1 Center on November 12, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings, staring down the barrel of a 1-4 homestand on the second night of a back-to-back, were blown out by the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, 133-100.
In the first quarter, the Hawks punched first, jumping out to an 18-8 lead at the 7:37 mark as the Kings defense struggled with the Hawks’ scheme. However, the bench unit for the Kings came in and played really well to get the Kings back in the game, as they were only outscored by the Hawks 37-34. Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schröder led the Kings with eight points apiece in the first, as the Hawks were led by eight points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
In the second quarter, it was all Hawks. The Kings were blown off the court in the second quarter as the Hawks outscored them 29-12 in what was an abysmal performance from the Kings. The Hawks took a 66-46 lead into halftime as they shot 55% from the field. On the other hand, the Kings shot 39% in the first half and didn’t get a sufficient defensive performance either, as they entered another halftime down 20 points. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks in first-half scoring with 18 points as Keon Ellis led the Kings, scoring nine points in the first half.
In the third quarter, it was more of the same for the Kings. The Kings looked like a G League team to start the third quarter and let the Hawks outscore them 39-22. The Kings buried themselves in a 105-68 deficit heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, the Kings had all but mailed it in. The Kings went to the bench for the majority of the quarter and waved the white flag. The Kings outscored the Hawks 32-28 in the final quarter, but it proved meaningless as the Kings fell 133-100 to the Hawks.
It’s hard to analyze games like this. There’s really nothing to diagnose. The Kings were embarrassed, and on their home court no less.
Doug Christie summed it up well after the game, saying, “You are not going to represent the Sacramento Kings that way. Not while I’m here. Put on a jersey, represent it properly… I’m f—ing embarrassed. Period.”
It was a raw and accountable Doug Christie after the game. That’s not something you see very often from head coaches in the NBA, and it was refreshing to see. However, tirades like Doug’s on Wednesday often can get you fired. We will see if Vivek, the front office, and the players can stomach the accountability.
Up Next: The Kings go on the road to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 5 p.m. PST on Friday 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.
Sports Radio Service 