Sacramento Kings Keegan Murray throws down against the Toronto Raptors in the first half on opening night at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Oct 8, 2025. The Kings tip off against the Los Angeles Lakers Fri Oct 17, 2025 at Staples in Los Angeles (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 Just wanted to get started with the two big signing by the Sacramento Kings on Thursday we’ll start first with former Los Angeles Laker and OKC Thunder player and the newest King Russell Westbrook?
#2 Next up is Keegan Murray who signed a $140 million extension through the 2030-31 season. Murray has made 150 three pointers in his last three season.
#3 The Kings look to Murray as their top man on defense. Murray has averaged 15.2 points per game. Murray scored 12.4 points per game last year.
#4 From just the team prospective talk about their excitement from the standpoint they now have the experienced Westbrook who can provide offense and leadership and with Murray who is all sewed up with Sacramento through 2030.
#5 Next up for the Kings they tip off against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at Staple Center in LA. Talk about some of the things that Kings head coach Doug Christie will be looking for in this one tonight?
Nique Clifford #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the LA Clippers during a NBA preseason game on October 15, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Kings desperately need some good vibes going into the season. Heading into Wednesday’s game against the Clippers, the Kings had lost both of their preseason games—and both were ugly. Wednesday was no different as the Kings fell to the Clippers 109-91 at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings’ first-half stats were abysmal as they went 16-for-41 from the field, 3-for-18 from three, and trailed 60-40 at halftime. The team’s leading scorer in the first half was Zach LaVine with nine points. Domantas Sabonis had seven points and 12 rebounds in 24 minutes of action before being pulled with a hamstring injury, per the Kings.
The Kings’ effort to implement a fast-paced offense while playing gritty, hard-nosed, accountable defense has proven unfruitful so far. Through the end of the third quarter, nothing was going right for Sacramento as they trailed 90-61 heading into the final frame. The Kings weren’t imposing themselves on the defensive end, and they weren’t making any shots on the other.
In the fourth quarter, the Kings outscored the Clippers 30-19, but it was too little too late. The Kings’ lone bright spot and leading scorer at the end of the game was Nique Clifford. Clifford, who has played well in all three of the Kings’ preseason games, scored 19 points, grabbed three rebounds, and added a block and a steal in the contest. The Kings ultimately fell to the Clippers, but it was good to see solid minutes from the rookie they traded up to draft.
“I’ve definitely just been trying to find a flow within our group,” the rookie said after the game. “Kinda trying to establish my role and what I can bring to the team. I’ve been trying to bring energy and effort, the two things I can focus on… I’ve been trying to focus on energy and defense.”
That’s not only good to hear for Kings fans, but Nique has been backing it up with his play this preseason. However, the same can’t be said about many others in the group. And that, albeit in preseason, is a concerning trend to watch as the Kings begin the regular season in one week in Phoenix against the Suns.
“I told them, you have to learn how to win ugly games,” Doug Christie said after the game. “That game there, they weren’t making shots at the beginning of the game. But there was a flow, the ball was moving, they got some good open looks. You didn’t make ’em, so that should not affect the way that you play on the defensive end of the floor. It just can’t.”
Doug also talked about the details and honing in on that for the Kings on the defensive end—something that sounds like an echo from last year under former head coach Mike Brown.
“I told them early on, I said the road to success is full of potholes and is always under construction, so this is not going to be a simple, easy fix.”
Without overreacting to preseason action, this is certainly not an easy fix. In fact, it may be an impossible one. The details, sloppy defense, and lack of effective offense are what got Mike Brown fired last season. He was, in fact, preaching the same points of emphasis that Scott Perry and Doug Christie are this season. The players currently on the Kings’ roster have, en masse, have not shown a willingness to adapt their style to the identity the Kings are trying to employ. Again, it’s preseason—I get it. However, I’d be shocked if these issues magically disappear come Wednesday night in Phoenix.
Up Next: The Kings will travel to Los Angeles on Thursday to take on the Lakers in their final preseason game of the year.
Note: Domantas Sabonis left the game after 24 minutes of action with a right hamstring issue. After the game, Doug Christie told the media he had not yet been updated on his condition.
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–In what is otherwise a quiet time across the association, the Sacramento Kings made two moves on Wednesday to secure their future and add further depth to their roster for the upcoming season.
On Wednesday morning, it was reported by ESPN that the Kings were in agreement with free agent guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook, who played last season in Denver, averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game in his age 36 season. The deal is reported to be worth $3.6 million for one season.
Doug Christie met with the media before the Kings’ third preseason game on Wednesday and refused to comment on unofficial deals. However, Doug spoke about the player Westbrook is and what he brings to any team he joins.
“Always been a big fan,” Doug said. “Been a Russell Westbrook fan for a long time… the things that he’s been able to do in this league speak for themselves.”
The other move the Kings made on Wednesday was reportedly re-signing Keegan Murray to a long-term deal, per ESPN. Murray is currently injured and will miss the start of the season and likely part of the end of the year. However, that didn’t stop the Kings from finalizing a five-year, $140 million deal with the small forward from Iowa. Keegan averaged 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists for the Kings last season in his age 24 season. The new deal, which is expected to be finalized soon, will take Murray through the end of the 2030–31 season.
Doug Christie also spoke on Murray but not explicitly about the reported new deal.
“Incredibly versatile player,” Christie said. “I love him as a person… we truly, truly appreciate him here.”
The Kings take on the LA Clippers on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. PST at Golden 1 center in their third preseason game.
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.
The Portland Trail Blazers Hansen Yang (16) defends against the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (11) at the Moda Center in Portland on Fri Oct 10, 2025 (Sacramento Kings X photo)
On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:
#1 Looking at Wednesday night’s matchup, how do you see the Los Angeles Kings containing the Los Angeles Clippers’ wing scorers like Kawhi Leonard and point guards—do you expect any specific defensive wrinkles?”
#2 Coach Doug Christie mentioned player development this preseason—who are you keeping an eye on Wednesday night among the younger guys trying to crack the rotation?”
#3 The Kings and Clippers have had some fireworks in the past couple seasons. Do you think there’s still a little extra juice in this matchup, even in the preseason?”
#4 One thing that’s been heard in camp is a focus on defense and rebounding. What are the keys Wednesday night for Sacramento to control the glass and limit second chances?”
#5 Big picture, what do you see the Kings accomplishing Wednesday night that shows they’re progressing toward opening night form?
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.
Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings dunks the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 10, 2025 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings will be without their best team defender and arguably their best individual defender to start the 2025-2026 NBA campaign.
Per the team, Keegan Murray left the game on Friday against Portland with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Keegan will undergo surgery and will be reevaluated in 4-6 weeks.
Going into his fourth season, Keegan was viewed by many as a real X-factor for the Kings’ success this season. Keegan will be a restricted free agent going into the summer of 2026 and was certainly playing for a large contract during this season if all went according to plan.
It was a tough blow for the Kings, who are trying to implement a defense and effort-first mentality that Keegan’s game fits very well into. Now, the Kings will need to rally together to fill the large defensive void that Keegan leaves behind until his return, most likely in December. However, his exact return date remains unclear and may be longer.
Kings head coach Doug Christie had his initial reactions with the media on Sunday after the news came out.
“It’s tough,” Doug said. “Obviously, it’s the nature of our business though. You just gotta deal with it. I feel sorry for him. All the work that he has put in. He’ll be fine. He will be able to work out and do things but obviously not use his hands. Send him lots of love and get well soon.”
It’s not yet decided how the Kings plan to fill the void. Doug Christie spoke further on how the Kings may replace Keegan’s contributions.
“Yeah, it’s tough. Keegan has size, strength, athleticism, and he shoots 40%. So I think everyone’s looking for that. We have a couple different guys that could maybe equal Keegan, but we don’t have Keegan. Replacing it is definitely difficult, but guys have other strengths… we don’t know. We will have to wait and see.”
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 Molik Monk (0) drives the lane with the Portland Trail Blazers Jerami Grant (9) in pursuit in NBA pre season action at the Moda Center in Portland on Sac Oct 11, 2025 (Sacramento Kings X photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Harvey:
#1 What was the key turning point late in the game that allowed Portland to hold on and win by one point 124‑123?
#2 Which player(s) delivered clutch plays in the final minutes and how did they impact the outcome?
#3 How did the teams compare in rebounding and second‑chance opportunities, and how did that influence the result?
#4 What role did turnovers, fouls, or free throws play in such a tight contest?
#5 Next up for the Kings the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden One Center on Wednesday night. The Clippers play their first exhibition game on Sunday against the Denver Nuggets. Tony talk about the Clippers top scorers who will face the Kings on Wednesday James Harden — 22.8 PPG, Kawhi Leonard — 21.5 PPG, Ivica Zubac — 16.8 PPG, Derrick Jones Jr. — 10.1 PPG.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Zach Lavine #8 of the Sacramento Kings looks on against the Toronto Raptors in the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game at Golden 1 Center on October 08, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The new-look Sacramento Kings were in action on Wednesday night for game one of four preseason games the team is slated to play. The Kings fell to the Raptors 130-122 inside Golden 1 Center on a crisp fall evening.
During training camp prior to the preseason, the emphasis was clearly on two things. Doug Christie wants the Kings to be the most well-conditioned team in the NBA, and he wants them to pick up 94 feet. These two things are directly related to the identity that Christie and GM Scott Perry are attempting to implement come the start of the regular season.
Before the game, I asked Doug Christie what goals he had or what he wanted to see from his squad in game one of the preseason.
“I just want to play to our identity. That’s really it,” Christie said. “I mean, if we do that consistently with talent and all those different things that you need, I believe the byproduct of that is winning.”
What is that identity Doug is speaking about? The Kings have said it is centered around six pillars: competitive, tough, team-oriented, disciplined, accountable, and professional.
In the first three quarters, the Kings failed Christie’s expectation to play to the identity he is trying to implement, as they gave up 97 points. The gritty defense and high-motor effort he’s emphasizing were nowhere to be found. Granted, it’s the first game of the preseason, and any critiques should be taken with a grain of salt. Still, it wasn’t an encouraging look for the Kings and their quest to establish their new identity.
Christie didn’t mince words about the team’s effort as it pertained to the identity he’s trying to see.
“Out of that whole game, you probably got Kings identity maybe two quarters, a quarter and a half—I’ll say a quarter and a half. So the consistency of what we expect needs to be able to be at a higher level for a longer period of time.”
Christie also addressed a question from Sactown Sports reporter Brenden Nunes about how he felt the team picked up 94 feet, an emphasis throughout camp.
“… In the first half, they were 30%. So that’s unacceptable,” Doug said. “And we talked about it. Eighty-five is the number. So that means out of all the opportunities that you get when someone turns around with the basketball, they know what you ate for breakfast.”
Zach LaVine led the Kings in scoring in the first half with 15 points but didn’t play the rest of the game. It appeared to be planned rest for LaVine, with nothing physically wrong. The Kings’ leading scorer through the first three quarters was Domantas Sabonis, who had 19 points and four rebounds in nearly 23 minutes on the court. Keegan Murray also caught my attention, displaying a new level of aggression during his time on the floor.
In the fourth quarter, Devin Carter, Isaiah Stevens, Dylan Cardwell, Maxime Raynaud, and Nique Clifford changed the entire tempo of the game. The Kings outscored the Raptors 44-33 in the final quarter as the reserve lineup brought much-needed intensity and effort to the floor. Raynaud didn’t check into the game until the fourth quarter but brought an infectious energy, at one point urging the fans at Golden 1 Center to get loud as the Kings made a last-minute effort to get back into the game.
I asked Doug if some of the chemistry with that last unit was prebuilt from Summer League and how they handled their minutes.
“I mean, I expect that from them. Yeah, a little bit of that [Summer League chemistry] probably… They played Kings basketball. Identity-wise, that’s what you saw and that’s what we expect.”
Domantas Sabonis was impressed with the play of the last unit on the court late in the game.
“They did amazing,” Sabonis told me after the game. “They came, they waited for their turn, they came out, brought the energy, brought the basketball that Doug wants us to play, and props to them. They came out. We, as the starters, should have done our part.”
Maxime Raynaud, even with limited experience at this point in the NBA, said he and the group are holding each other accountable to learn and be better—not just for one quarter, but for the whole game.
“I do think that we managed to keep the score reasonable during that [fourth] quarter, but it’s not about us, not about one quarter. Again, it’s four quarters, as you all know, and we’re a group. We all need to step up to the highest possible level. So in that sense, I think we all have a ton to learn from—young guys, old guys, stars, everything.”
Overall, Doug was firm in his message to the players after the game. He is demanding to see a better effort in what he calls “the fight.”
“I’ve talked to them about—there’s two games every night. There’s the game and there’s the fight. So we got 164 games. Every night, we’re going to win one of ’em. If we win both, we’re doing something… So unfortunately, we lost both of the games tonight. Unacceptable. And that will be, hopefully, the last time that happens. That was my conversation with them.”
The Kings will practice on Thursday before flying to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers on Friday at 7 p.m. PST in Portland, Oregon.
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 Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan shake hands during practice on Fri Oct 3, 2025 (Sacramento Kings X photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 How will the coaching staff determine the pecking order among the guards Dennis Schröder, Zach LaVine, Keon Ellis, Malik Monk — what criteria will separate starters from bench roles?
#2 Who emerges as the primary backup at the center position behind Domantas Sabonis, and how might that affect the frontcourt rotation?
# 3 What is the expected role and trajectory for younger players and non‑guaranteed signees trying to make the roster?
#4 How aggressively will Coach Doug Christie experiment with alternate lineups or mismatches small ball, positional versatility during preseason?
#5 First pre season game against the Toronto Raptors Wed Oct 8 at 7:00pm PT at Golden One Center in Sacramento. The Kings have got to be excited about finally getting out on the floor and getting some game action.
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 is working with the players on conditioning, pace and defense in camp (photo from Newsweek)
Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 How is Dennis Schröder adjusting to his new role with the Kings, and how is the coaching staff integrating him with the existing core?
#2 Which players will be competing for the final roster spots, especially among the fringe and Exhibit 10 signees, and what traits are coaches focusing on?
#3 With Devin Carter how will the team handle depth at guard/forward early in camp?
#4 What identity or style changes is new Head Coach Doug Christie trying to instill conditioning, defense, pace.
#5 How much roster movement still appears possible trades, additional signings during training camp, and how might that impact team chemistry?
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.
Doug Christie photographed at Golden 1 Center last season against the Chicago Bulls. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings held their annual media day on Monday and their first practice on Tuesday as they prepare for the 2025-2026 NBA season.
The Kings come into training camp with renewed expectations amid uncertain times for the team. All offseason, the Kings have been mired in trade discussions surrounding Devin Carter, Malik Monk, and Jonathan Kuminga. On media day, much speculation remained as Kuminga was not in attendance at the Warriors’ media day, and his future was uncertain.
However, on Tuesday, news came down that Kuminga had inked a new two-year deal with the Warriors. Scott Perry spoke with us on Monday about how he is set with the team he has in camp already.
“As we sit here today, this is our team and I’m excited about what we have going into this year. And again, my job each and every day is to listen, see what’s happening out there, can we get better? But I’m pleased going into training camp…”
Well, after Tuesday’s decision from Kuminga, the Kings will need to be happy with what they have in camp.
One area the Kings feel they significantly upgraded after the end of last season is the point guard spot. After trading De’Aaron Fox last season, the Kings were without a main point guard until they signed Dennis Schröder this offseason to a three-year deal. Schröder is expected to be the Kings’ starting point guard come opening night.
The Kings have a number of unanswered questions going into the season with a roster that hasn’t shown they can mesh as a cohesive product on the court. Last season, the Kings’ lack of defense and unpredictable, stale offense led to concerns surrounding the fabric of the roster and whether it needed to be torn down and rebuilt. The Kings have been clear they see no need to enter into a full rebuild. The line from GM Scott Perry since his hiring is that they expect to be “opportunistic and prudent” in their pursuit of players.
During media day and Monday’s practice, the Kings made it clear they think guys like Dennis Schröder fit the pillars they are preaching and want the players to put into action in order to compete.
“From myself and Scott, we are going to be the best-conditioned team in the NBA, one of the top ones for sure,” Head Coach Doug Christie said after practice to the media on Tuesday afternoon. “So trying to figure that out and them buying into that has been a message that they received since I took over and Scott was the general manager.”
The message is clear from the Kings: play with pace, but not just on the offensive end—on the defensive side of the ball too. When the media walked into practice, the Kings were running drills on fast-break sprints. It was a demonstration of what the team had talked about when wanting to be one of the best-conditioned teams in the league, and they were showing it for all to see.
Time will tell if the players buy into the messages from the coaching staff and front office. As we have seen before recently in Sacramento, the players must lead the accountability. Having a voice drill a mindset into you only goes so far; the players must hold each other accountable.
Sports Radio Service 