Tag: NBA

DeRozan’s 39 Not Enough as Kings Fall to Hornets 117-109

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Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets is guarded by DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Golden 1 Center on March 11, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Kings welcomed the Charlotte Hornets to Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night as the Kings played their second game in two nights, this one tipping off at 7 p.m. PST.

The Kings were without a full lineup of players as Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Dylan Cardwell, Russell Westbrook, and Malik Monk were all unavailable going into the action. The Kings elected to go with a starting lineup that featured DeMar DeRozan, Precious Achiuwa, Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Killian Hayes. With so many of the veteran players for the Kings out, the focus was certainly on the younger guys and the minutes they provided for Doug Christie.

The Kings couldn’t extend their winning streak on Wednesday as they fell to the Charlotte Hornets 117-109.

In the first quarter, the Sacramento Kings got off to a quick start against the Charlotte Hornets. The Kings outscored the Hornets 34-30 as DeMar DeRozan got going early in the first quarter with eight points to take the quick lead. The Hornets, led by 13 first-quarter points from LaMelo Ball, held their own on the offensive end of the floor while their defense struggled to contain the Kings. Killian Hayes and Doug McDermott also started off hot, scoring seven and six points, respectively, in the first.

In the second quarter, the Hornets managed to flip the script and outscore the Kings 29-28 in the quarter to trim the Kings’ lead to three points heading into halftime, 62-59. DeMar DeRozan continued with his hot hand on the offensive side of the ball, dropping 14 points in the second quarter and bringing his first-half total to 22 points heading into halftime. Both the Kings and the Hornets played solid defense in the second quarter, but there was no containing DeMar for the Kings. LaMelo Ball did his best to counter DeMar as he added another seven points in the second quarter to bring his first-half total to 20 points. Miles Bridges was the second-leading scorer for the Hornets as he scored 11 points in the first half, while Kings guard Nique Clifford scored eight first-half points.

Coming out of halftime with the three-point lead, the Kings tried to maintain their intensity to remain in the lead. However, as shots failed to fall for the Kings and the Hornets began to catch a rhythm, the Kings were outscored 31-23 by the Hornets in the third. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges did the lion’s share of the damage against the Kings in the third as they scored 10 and nine points, respectively, for Charlotte. On the other hand, DeMar DeRozan continued to punish the Hornets as he dropped an additional nine points in the third, keeping the Kings in the game and driving his game total to 31 points at that point in the contest. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Kings trailed 90-85 but were well within striking distance as they went for their third straight win.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings and Hornets traded baskets, but that wasn’t enough for the Kings to cut the deficit and win the game. The Kings were defeated by the Hornets 117-109 and were outscored in the fourth quarter 27-24 as they fell to LaMelo Ball and his 30-point performance. In addition to Ball, the Hornets had three other 20-plus-point performances as Brandon Miller scored 20, Kon Knueppel had 24, and Miles Bridges dropped 26 on the Kings. In defeat, the Kings were led by DeMar DeRozan, who had 39 points. Nique Clifford impressed yet again for the Kings as he scored 18 points to go along with seven assists.

Nique Clifford spoke with the media after the game and was asked a series of questions on his confidence at this point in the season.

“I’m very confident in myself and my capabilities to help the team,” Clifford said. “I feel like I bring a lot of versatility in different aspects. I’m still trying to find that consistency, like we were talking about Deebo, and what I can do on a night-to-night basis, but I’m slowly figuring that out. But just trying to impact the game in many different ways.”

Speaking of DeMar, the 39 points for the 36-year-old was a vintage DeRozan game.

Lost in all the chaos this season, DeMar has been professionally and diligently going about his work on a nightly basis, not something all vet players can say on a losing team at this point of the season.

“Everybody who has a job every day, every year you go to work, everything isn’t just great,” DeMar told me after the game. “It just doesn’t work out like that. You are going to go through your ups and downs, and you are going to enjoy it. When things aren’t great, you really are going to be tested and see who you really are.”

The Kings will head out on the road to take on the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. PST.

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. 

Devin Carter’s 22-Point Fourth Quarter Lifts Kings Past Pacers 114-109

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Devin Carter #22 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Indiana Pacers on March 10, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Kings were back in action on Tuesday night inside Golden 1 Center. The Kings welcomed the Eastern Conference’s worst team, the Indiana Pacers, to town for a 7 p.m. PST tilt.

As the two worst teams in the NBA faced off, it was a stark reminder of how important the impending NBA lottery and draft to follow are for both clubs. The Kings defeated the Pacers on Tuesday 114-109.

In the first quarter, neither team got off to a remarkably quick start as the quarter was relatively tame. The Kings were outscored 25-24 in the first quarter as Aaron Nesmith led all scorers with 11. The Kings and Pacers weren’t playing with a lot of urgency early on the first night of a back-to-back.

In the second quarter, the Pacers made their move on the Kings. The Pacers outscored the Kings 34-18 in what was a brutal quarter for both the Kings’ defense and their offense. The Kings couldn’t contain the Pacers as Aaron Nesmith continued his torrid pace, adding another 13 points in the second quarter to bring his first-half total to 24 for the game. The Kings were led in first-half scoring by Maxime Raynaud, who dropped 10 points in the first quarter, and DeMar DeRozan added eight. The Kings took their 17-point deficit into halftime looking to rebound in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings made their move on the Pacers to get back into the game. The Kings outscored the Pacers 30-23 to open the second half as they were led by seven points from Russell Westbrook in the quarter. The Kings still entered the fourth down 82-72, but they were within striking distance.

In the fourth quarter, Devin Carter went off to propel the Kings to outscore the Pacers 42-27 in the final quarter of the game. The Kings’ 2024 13th overall pick Devin Carter scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and 24 points overall as the Kings came back from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Pacers 114-109. The Kings were led in scoring by the aforementioned Carter, but Maxime Raynaud was close behind scoring 18 of his own.

With the win, the Kings improved to 16-50 and are now the second-worst team in the NBA, now trailing the Indiana Pacers.

The Kings will stay home to take on the Charlotte Hornets 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. 

Golden State Loses to Chicago in Overtime, 130-124, on South Asian Heritage Night.

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Golden State forward (#20) Al Horford drives into the paint on Chicago Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele (#28) in Chase Center at San Francisco on March 10th, 2026. (Photo credits to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – On March 10, the Warriors returned home to San Francisco at Chase Center to host the Chicago Bulls in a non-conference game as part of their celebration of South Asian Heritage Night. So far this month, the Warriors have gone 1-3, losing two games in a row. This game was a back-to-back feature after just yesterday, March 9th, the team lost to the Utah Jazz, 119-116. In fact, in the last five games, the team went 1-4 with their last win being five days ago against the Houston Rockets in an overtime win, 115-113. Now the Warriors have lost the last three games in a row, after losing to the Bulls Tuesday night, 130-124.

The Chicago Bulls are on their West Coast road trip games, as they just came from Sacramento. The Bulls lost to the Kings, 126-110, on Sunday, March 8th at the Golden 1 Center. Bulls are 2-2 so far in March, and have gone 2-3 in their last five games. Altogether, the Bulls have gone 10-20 on the road. This is the teams second time seeing each other as Golden State dominated Chicago in their home on December 8th, 2025, with a final score of 123-91, a 32 point win for the Warriors. The Bulls were able to grab their first win and get the last laugh on their West Coast visit against Golden State.

The Warriors and Bulls have a few connections tied together. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr played for the Chicago Bulls for five seasons (1993-94 – 1997-98), helping Chicago to win three NBA Champions (1996-98). Coach Kerr racked up 378 games for the Bulls coming off the bench, averaging 8.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. If Golden State had won, this would’ve been coach Steve Kerr’s 600th career coaching win.

The Golden State has had some injuries that have impacted the team and roster. However, Draymond Green was listed as questionable at first coming against the Bulls, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed in his pregame press conference that Green will be playing in his 33rd home game. The team will still lack some players and starters as Jimmy Butler (right ACL surgery), Stephen Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome), Moses Moody (right wrist sprain), and Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation management) are ruled out.

Not only did Draymond Green return for the game. Kristaps Porzingis had returned to the lineup after missing the team’s last game against the Utah Jazz. His last game was on Saturday, March 7th, in which he posted 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in Oklahoma City against the Thunder. The Warriors entered this game in ninth place in the Western Conference (32-32).

The starting five for the home team was Gui Santos, Draymond Green, Al Horford, Will Richard, and Brandin Podziemski. The Warriors are 19-13 on their home court so far this season. Warriors Podziemski is averaging 12.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for them. He also dropped 21 points on the Bulls when they first saw each other in Chicago.

Chicago started with Leonard Miller, Jalen Smith, Guerschon Yabusele, Matas Buzelis, and Josh Giddey. Chicago is third in the league with 34.7 defensive rebounds per game, led by Josh Giddey, averaging 7.0. Bulls Matas Buzelis is scoring 15.4 points per game with 5.5 rebounds for the Bulls. This Chicago squad has had a lot of rough moments, especially in last month, February, were the Bulls didn’t win any games at all in that month.

The Warriors were able to get on the board first after Brandin Podziemski got fouled on a shooting attempt that sent him to the free throw lines, and he was able to knock both of his attempts down. The Warriors were able to put 30 points at the end of the 1st quarter and hold on to the lead as well; it was 30-26 at the end of the 1st quarter. Warriors Porzingis came in for almost 4 minutes, and he was ready as he dropped a quick 7 points for Golden State.

Going into the 2nd quarter, the momentum still belonged to Golden State. The team was shooting 40% on the floor halfway through the 2nd quarter. Golden State’s bench has put up 19 points, while Chicago was able to match and surpass the Warriors in points in the paint, 18 points. However, with Golden State knocking down 11 three points so far in the 1st half, the team was able to hang on to the lead, but not for long. Tre Jones makes a 23-foot three-point jumper to give Chicago the lead 50-49, followed up by a lazy transition defense effort on Golden State that led to Bulls Buzelis to get an easy dunk in.

The Chicago Bulls would end the 1st half with a lead at 57-51. Bulls Josh Giddey has already recorded himself a double-double with 10 assists and 14 points. The Warriors are being led by Podziemski with nine points, two steals, and three assists. Golden State heads to the locker room hoping to lock in on their defensive game plan as Chicago also lead and control on the board game. The Bulls snagged 29 out of the Warriors’ 20 rebounds.

Coming into the second half, Chicago was able to score first this time from Jalen Smith on a layup. After that, Chicago held the entire third quarter. The Warriors ended the third quarter down by six points. Golden State’s shot selection improved, but Bulls Matas Buzelis would drop 11 points by himself in the third quarter that helped them hold the lead.

The Warriors made their comeback efforts in the fourth quarter and show the Bulls they got some fight left in them. With that, Golden State used its home court advantage from the fans and was able to retake the lead. Five players from Golden State hit double digits in points. With four minutes left in the game, Gui Santos shoots a six-foot shot to give the Warriors the lead, 106-105. After the Warriors would push the lead to eight points entering the final minutes of the game. However, Chicago showed their intensity and came back from that eight points to send the game to overtime. After a questionable and tough call on Draymond Green, the Bulls’ Jalen Smith was sent to the line. Bulls were down 116-118, and Smith would make both of his shots to give us five more minutes of play time.

Bulls would score first in overtime from Matas Buzelis on a six-foot shot, giving them the early lead. Buzelis would make his presence heard in these extra minutes of play as he hit a clutch three-point shot, which gave energy and life to Chicago. With that and one minute left, the Bulls lead by five points, 129-124. The Warriors couldn’t make a shot in this overtime and killed their chances of winning the game. Chicago would finish the overtime with the lead and the game. The Bulls would win the game, 130-124.

Golden State will get a chance to rest up and learn from their mistakes as they come back to Chase Center on Friday night to host Minnesota at 7 p.m. on Prime Video. Chicago will continue their path in the west coast and see the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, March 12th at 7:30 p.m.

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason: Kings snap 3 game skid with win over Bulls at Golden 1; Westbrook’s triple double helps light the beam

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Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk goes for the the throw down against the Chicago Bulls at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Mar 8, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:

1.Sunday night the Sacramento Kings took on the Chicago Bulls without veteran DeMar DeRozan and ended up defeating the Bulls 126-111 to end a 3 game skid. It’s been a rough week for the Kings losing earlier in the week to the Phoenix Suns and a real disappointment losing on Thursday to the New Orleans Pelicans who have struggled all season.

2. Despite being shorthanded, they have been shorthanded all season decimated by injury and or illness, Sacramento had a terrific start in the first half of the game.

3. Along came the critical second half where the Kings have at times stumbled but this time they had a strong start and continued to hold onto a double figure lead the entire quarter.

4. There were some outstanding stats coming from the starters as well as the Kings bench finishing off the Bulls and playing spoiler.

5. The Kings will now take on the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday with 17 games left in their season. The Pacers have nearly the same record as Sacramento as they too have struggled through the season.

Barbara Mason does he Sacramento 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. 

Westbrook’s Triple-Double, Youth Movement Power Kings Past Bulls 126-110

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Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings looks on in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Golden 1 Center on March 08, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Don Collier/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Sunday night in Sacramento as they took on the Chicago Bulls. The Kings defeated the Bulls 126-110 during a sparsely attended matchup at 6 p.m. PST.

During the win over the Bulls, the youth development was on full display for the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings went with a young lineup on Sunday with the exception of Russell Westbrook. Daeqwon Plowden, Precious Achiuwa, Maxime Raynaud, and Nique Clifford filled out the lineup as Doug Christie elected to go with the youth movement to start the game.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a quick start against the Bulls. The Kings outscored the Bulls 30-25 to open the game and take the quick five-point lead. In the absence of DeMar DeRozan, the Kings offense seemed to be flowing with a higher pace in the first quarter. While incredibly talented in his own right, DeMar’s more isolation-heavy style of basketball doesn’t tend to lend itself to a high-pace offensive scheme. Malik Monk scored seven points in the first quarter in a quick outburst that has become commonplace for him this season. Collin Sexton paced all scorers with eight points in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings continued to pressure the Bulls and expand on their early first-quarter margin. The Kings outscored the Bulls 35-26 in the second quarter to build a double-digit, 65-51 lead over the Bulls heading into halftime. Maxime Raynaud led the Kings with a big second quarter where he scored 14 points and had 18 points for the game heading into halftime. The Bulls had very little answer for the Kings big in the second quarter as Malik Monk added another seven points to bring his game total to 14 in the first half.

Could the Kings keep up the positive momentum and avoid a third-quarter collapse that has become normal this season?

Yes.

The Kings continued to play at a high level in the third quarter to maintain their advantage they had going into halftime. The Kings outscored the Bulls 39-38 in the third quarter as they grew their lead ever so slightly heading into the final quarter. Granted, the Bulls did challenge the Kings defense in the quarter, but the Kings offense was able to pick up the slack and maintain their advantage. Daeqwon Plowden shined for the Kings as he scored 10 points in the third quarter to pace the Kings offense. Collin Sexton led the Bulls in the third quarter with 12 points as he did his best to keep them in the game but with little success as the Kings took a 104-98 lead into the final quarter of action.

In the fourth quarter, both teams took a step back scoring the ball, but the Kings still managed to outscore the Bulls 22-21. Russell Westbrook managed to record the 208th triple-double of his career in the fourth quarter as he led the Kings to victory. Malik Monk and Maxime Raynaud led the Kings in scoring as they scored 30 and 26 points respectively along with Westbrook’s 23 points. Daeqwon Plowden also played well for the Kings on Sunday scoring 16 points in his just over 34 minutes of game action.

The Kings 126-110 win over the Bulls was their first win at home since January 16th and improved their record to 15-50 for the 2025-2026 season.

The Kings will stay home to take on the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday at 7 p.m. PST inside the 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. 

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O: How will Tatum’s return from Achilles injury impact the Celtics; A’s showcasing in Vegas in exhibition play; plus more news

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Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum has returned after suffering an Achilles injury. Here he is blowing kisses to fans and playing against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half on Fri Mar 6, 2026 at the Boston Garden (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O:

#1 How might Jayson Tatum’s return from a long Achilles injury impact the Boston Celtics’ playoff chances and team chemistry during the final stretch of the regular season?

#2 What factors usually enable teams to complete massive comebacks like the Spurs’ 25-point rally against the LA Clippers on Friday night, and what does it reveal about their resilience and in-game adjustments?

#3 The Sacramento Kings snapped a three game losing streak Sunday night defeating the Chicago Bulls 126-110. The Kings in recent games have been heavily dependent on Precious Achiuwa, Russell Westbrook, and Malik Monk.

#4 Turning to Major League Baseball the Sacramento A’s are playing a two game set in Las Vegas. On Saturday they lost to the Angles 3-0 and Sunday they played their split squad against the Angels all at Aviators Park in Las Vegas. How much was this series to get a measuring stick on local interest for the A’s who will be coming to Vegas in 2028?

#5 The San Francisco Giants in Sunday’s game improve to 13-3 in pre season play and have roll going in spring training. Is this just a look at guys trying to make the roster with a combination of double A and triple A players. Or has Giants manager Tony Vitello got this team firing on all cylinders?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey: Westbrook takes exception to some of the local media commentary

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives on Sacramento Kings Nique Clifford (5) before being called for an offensive foul in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Mar 4, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 How will Precious Achiuwa control the paint against the Chicago Bulls’ frontcourt, and can his rebounding and playmaking set the tone for Sacramento’s offense?

#2 Can veteran guard Russell Westbrook provide a spark in transition and help the Kings push the pace against the Bulls’ defense?

#3 Will Keegan Murray return soon he’s been out with that ankle injury?

#4 How important will scoring bursts from Malik Monk be for Sacramento’s second unit against the Bulls’ bench?

#4 Can DeMar DeRozan deliver a strong offensive performance against his former team, the Chicago Bulls?

Join Tony Harvey for 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 Lose “Tank Off” to Pelicans as Westbrook Blasts Media Postgame

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Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Saddiq Bey #41 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Golden 1 Center on March 05, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Thursday night in what I dubbed “The Tank Off Championship.”

The Kings entered the game in last place in the Western Conference with a 14-49 record and losers of their last two games. The Pelicans came in with only a slightly better record of 19-44, as both teams had hopes of finishing toward the bottom of the league in hopes of a top draft pick.

The Kings fell to the Pelicans 133-123 on Thursday night.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a hot start in the game to take a quick lead over the Pelicans. Led by 10 points from DeMar DeRozan in the first, the Kings outscored the Pelicans 30-26 to open the game. The Kings looked to maintain their same effort levels and keep the Pelicans at bay heading into halftime.

In the second quarter, the Kings gave up 41 points and slipped into a deficit heading into halftime. The Kings managed 33 points in the second, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Pelicans as they took a 67-63 lead into the break. Trey Murphy led the charge for the Pelicans with 10 points in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, the Kings did their best to keep the Pelicans at arm’s length but couldn’t accomplish their task. The Kings were outscored by the Pelicans 38-28 in the third quarter as they fell behind by 14 points heading into the fourth quarter. Precious Achiuwa did what he could in the third to keep things close, scoring 11 points in the quarter, but it was to no avail as Saddiq Bey countered for the Pelicans with 10 points of his own.

In the fourth quarter, as the Kings entered it down 14, they managed to outscore the Pelicans, but it was too little too late. The Kings scored 32 points in the fourth compared to the Pelicans’ 28, but ultimately fell 133-123.

Precious Achiuwa led all scorers in the game with 29 points in just over 40 minutes of action. Achiuwa has made the most of his renewed opportunity in Sacramento as he has gone from out of the league to playing high-level basketball with the Kings.

After the game, Doug Christie had some succinct praise for the 26-year-old Achiuwa.

“Precious, he’s been playing some bona fide basketball,” the Kings head coach said postgame.

The Kings fell to 14-50 with the loss and remain the NBA’s worst team.

In what has certainly been a frustrating season for Russell Westbrook, the Kings mid-training camo pickup, he unloaded on the media after the game. In his postgame comments, Russ went after multiple media members directly and questioned all of our reporting on the team this season. In a largely baseless tirade, the veteran point guard went one by one through us in the media asking for opinions, as he added he believed the coverage was “to stir stuff up.”

“What I don’t like is… you guys, the job is to talk about the game, what’s happening in the game, not stir up a bunch of—I don’t want to cuss you because I want to get fined—but stir up a bunch of stuff that is not accurate. And that’s my problem,” Russell said to us after the game.

Westbrook failed to provide specifics after Sacramento Bee writer Chris Biderman asked him directly what he had said to deserve this critique.

Russ responded to that question with, “I don’t want to go down that road.”

The Kings will stay home to take on the Chicago Bulls on Sunday at 6 p.m. PST inside 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 Jeremiah Salmonson: Struggling Kings host Pelicans Tonight at Golden 1

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Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) loses the ball driving to the basket against the Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) in the first half at Golden 1 in Sacramento on Tue Mar 3, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Can the New Orleans Pelicans capitalize on Sacramento’s struggles at home?
The Kings have been on a rough stretch at home and are looking to snap a losing streak in their arena.

#2 Will the Pelicans Zion Williamson be healthy and effective if he plays?
With Zion Williamson listed as questionable due to an ankle issue, his availability could significantly impact New Orleans’ offensive ceiling.

#3 How will the Kings generate offense against New Orleans’ defense?
Sacramento averages about 114.9 points per game, but they’re facing a Pelicans team that tends to allow high three-point volume, creating an interesting matchup dynamic.

#4 Can Sacramento end its losing momentum and defend home court?
With both teams near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, this matchup could be crucial for confidence and momentum moving forward.

#5 Which role players will step up with key injuries affecting both teams?
Injuries (including Sacramento’s sidelined Keegan Murray) could force bench players to take on bigger roles in scoring and defense.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Thursday 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 Start Strong but Fall to Suns 114-103

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Maxime Raynaud #42 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 3, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings were back in action at home for the first time since February 19th at the Golden 1 Center on Tuesday night. Tip-off on Tuesday was at 8:12 p.m. PST.

The Kings, entering the day with the worst record in the NBA at 14-48, fell to 14-49, losing to the Suns 114-103.

The Kings’ season has devolved into a tankathon this year after early season injuries and lack of cohesion on the court led to one of the worst starts in franchise history. The Kings have turned their attention to the development of the young players on their roster in hopes of some lottery luck this offseason to secure a top pick. On Tuesday, that goal looked unchanged.

In the first quarter, the Kings started the game on the right foot, a rarity for them this season. The Kings outscored the Suns 30-22 in the first quarter to take the quick lead in the game. Malik Monk got going early for the Kings as he scored 11 points in the opening frame to propel the Kings. Maxime Raynaud and Precious Achiuwa also got off to a hot start in the game as they each scored eight points in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings kept the game competitive but let the Suns back into the game and ultimately, let them take the lead going into halftime. The Kings were outscored 37-25 in the second, going into halftime as the Suns took a 59-55 advantage into the second half. Grayson Allen led the Suns in their resurgence in the second quarter with 10 points and Devin Booker was right behind him, adding nine. Russell Westbrook did most of the heavy lifting for the Kings in the third with 10 points.

As the Kings came out for the third quarter, they tried to establish themselves in the second half but failed. The third proved disastrous for the Kings as they were outscored by the Suns 31-20 with the offense going dormant. Rasheer Fleming for the Suns led the way with eight points in the quarter as the Suns took a 90-75 lead into the final 12 minutes of the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings battled. After being down 20 points in the quarter, they managed to battle back to within 11 points of the Suns before they expanded their lead again. However, the Kings continued to battle, getting the lead back down to 11 with just over a minute remaining. Yet, the Suns ultimately defeated the Kings by 11 points, 114-103.

Maxime Raynaud led the Kings in defeat with 22 points in just over 35 minutes of action in the game.

The Kings will stay home to take on the Memphis Grizzlies 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.