Tag: Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Murray will get lots of looks this season; Mason Jones glad to join Kings

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Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) scores over Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (right) during NBA game on Sat Dec 16, 2024 at Golden One Center in Sacramento. Murray talked about getting the opportunity to take shots as his teammates have confidence in his scoring abilities while meeting the press on media day in Sacramento on Mon Sep 30, 2024 (AP file photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Stephen:

#1 The Sacramento Kings have exercised the four year option Keegan Murray’s contract. Murray was a key offensive component for the Kings last season averaging 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 77 games.

#2 Murray spoke with the media and is noted for being a quiet type and said he’s just being himself. No doubt his playing does the talking.

#3 Murray says he gets a lot of passes and that his teammates realize he’s on a roll with his ability to score.

#4 Mason Jones who played last season in Europe now with the Kings for this season said it was something that he needed to experience. Jones said it was something God was showing him that one year can change his life.

#5 The Kings open the pre season Wed Oct 9 against the Golden State Warriors. It’s time as a team the Kings look forward to getting the pre season started.

Stephen is filling for Jeremiah Salmonson on the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: How Derozan compliments Kings and coach Brown’s plans to raise the Kings position for the post season

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Former Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan leaping on the right with ball in hands during contest with the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on Wed Mar 6, 2024 is expected to add power to the Sacramento Kings line up for the 2024-25 season (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara how important is it for the Sacramento Kings to get to 50 wins at a minimum for this season. The Kings last season they were 43-36.

#2 Barbara, how important is it for the Kings to get off to a fast start not by going 2-4 but winning 5-1 or 4-2.

#3 The Kings acquired DeMar Derozan from the Chicago Bulls in the off season and people questioned how he will fit in. Head coach Mike Brown said Derozan will be a huge compliment for the Kings offense this seaon.

#4 One of the advantages that the Kings have is they have so many guys returning from last season who compliment the team chemistry, this is coach Browns third year back, Domantas Sobonis, De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk to name a few.

#5 One thing about the Western Conference is that with this group the Kings could go that 4-2 and win three of five games either at home and on the road. They were an over .500 team last season finished ninth in the Western Conference can they improve their position for a better seeded spot in the battle of making post season.

Join Barbara Mason Mondays for the Sacramento Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Fox, Sabonis and DeRozan expected to do some good things this year for Sac

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Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (5) dunks over Golden State Warriors Draymond Green (23) and Klay Thompson (11) on Tue Apr 16, 2024. Fox is excited about the upcoming 2024-25 season as the Kings will play their first pre season game on Wed Oct 9, 2024 against the Warriors ( AP file photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings  De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan are looking to start the season they brought some excitement last season.

#2 Jeremiah we’ll take a look at De’Aaron Fox first last season with 26 points, 5.6 assists he’s a huge offensive callous for the Kings.

#3 Domantas Sabonis last season with 19.4 points and 8.2 assists he helped the Kings win some big games

#4 DeMar DeRozan is looking forward to this season. DeRozan 24 points and 5.3 assists how do you see him fitting in the Kings offense.

#5 The Kings were dropped by ESPN in the power rankings to 18th going into this season do you see them improving that number.

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

New Orleans Pelicans beat Kings, 105-98, to advance to first round of playoffs

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The New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas takes a shot over Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) in the first half of the NBA Play In game at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Fri Apr 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Sacramento Kings, fresh off a huge thumping of the Golden State Warriors last Tuesday night, were beaten by the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans’ star forward, Zion Williamson, suffered a leg injury in the loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night. The Pelicans are now the eighth seed in the Western Conference and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night in OKC. The Lakers are the seventh seed and will play the defending NBA Champions, the Denver Nuggets. The Pelicans were in control for most of the game defeating and knocking out the Kings of the post season with a 105-98 play in win at Smoothie King Arena.

The Kings had met the Pelicans five times during the regular season. The Pelicans won all five. In one game, with Williamson injured, the Pelicans put 130 points on the board to beat the Kings. The Kings had two key players out with injuries. Malik Monk, a great coming off the bench, and Kevin Huerter, a good three-point threat, would not dress for the game.

The Kings hoped that Keegan Murray could play as he did against the Warriors. Murray put 32 points on the board and made eight threes. Rookie Keon Ellis, who was undrafted from the University of Alabama, scored fifteen against the Warriors, and his defense slowed down Stephen Curry’s efforts last Tuesday night.

One of the keys to the Pelicans’ win was their bench. The Pelican bench outscored the Kings’ bench 34-12. The Pelicans had three bench players in double figures. Larry Nance, Jr had 13, Naji Marshall,11, and Jose Alvarado 10. The Kings’ Damion Mitchell had ten for Sacramento.

The Pelicans and Kings started the game with a highly competitive first quarter, with the Kings managing to edge ahead with a 24-22 win. However, the Pelicans’ offense came alive in the second quarter, scoring 32 points and holding the Kings to just 21 points. This strong performance allowed the Pelicans to finish the first half with a 54-45 lead, a lead they would maintain for the rest of the game.

The Kings won the second half 53-51, but it was not enough to overcome the nine-point first-half deficit. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 35 points. Fox was an offensive force, but he could do it alone. The Kinks’ Domantis Sabonis had a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds.

Sabonis showed off his passing skills as he recorded seven assists. Former Warrior Harrison Barnes tallied 17 points. Keegan Murray had a tough night. He was brilliant against the Warriors last Tuesday. He was a dud on Friday night in New Orleans. Murray scored 11 points and made two three-pointers and seven tries. Keon Ellis, who played so well against Golden State, did not score a point. 

Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 24 points. The Pelicans’ big man, Jonas Valanciunas, had a double-double with 19 points and 12 boards. Trey Murphy added 16. The veteran guard, C.J. McCollum, tallied seven. Even with McCollums’ off-night, the Pelicans had enough firepower to beat the Kings.

The playoffs start on Sunday. The Pelicans face the OKC Thunder, the Lakers play the Nuggets, the Minnesota Timberwolves tip off against the Phoenix Suns, and the Los Angeles Clippers play the Dallas Mavericks.

In the Eastern Conference first round, the Boston Celtics will play the Miami Heat, The New York Knicks will see the Philadelphia 76ers, The Milwaukee Bucks will go against the Indiana Pacers, and the Cleveland Cavaliers will battle the Orlando Magic.

It had to be a crushing defeat for the Kings. The Kings had a year to think about their loss to the Warriors last year, who beat them in the seven-game series. The Warriors and the Kings will be in the playoffs this year. The Kings’ front office will have to assess their roster and make moves to get them back into the playoffs next year. 

Sacramento Kings podcast with David Zizmor: Kings battle Pelicans in Play In game Friday at Smoothie King Center

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The Sacramento Kings guard DeAaron Fox (5) has a little better reach to throw down on the Golden State Warriors guard Draymond Green (23) and Klay Thompson (11) at Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento on Wed Apr 17, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 David how surprised were you that the Sacramento Kings were able to defeat the Golden State Warriors in a one game Play In and short handed missing Malik Monk and Kevin Hureter.

#2 On defense the Kings were able to shut down Klay Thompson and shut him out how key was that for the Kings victory.

#3 The New Orleans Pelicans are no push overs their next on the Kings docket in the one and done play in. The Kings were 0-5 during the regular season against the Pelicans. With Zion Williamson out how important is it for the Kings to shut down CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy and Brandon Ingram to have a chance to win on Friday night?

Join David Zizmor for NBA Playoff analysis at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: After Lakers and Kings win Warriors settle for 10th place finish

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The Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) gets a pass away while the Utah Jazz Darius Bazley (21) defends in the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Apr 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Going into yesterday’s game, there was a lot to be ironed out in the Western Conference not only for the number one seed but also in the eighth through tenth place.

#2 The Warriors had their eye on a eighth or ninth place finish but the Lakers and the Kings had something else in mind. Both the Lakers and Kings demolished their opponents and the Warriors had to settle for 10th place.

#3 Stephen Curry and Draymond Green sat out yesterday’s game–the team needing them to be fresh for Tuesday nights game.

#4 Klay Thompson led the team in points in their win over the Utah Jazz. Every Warrior that took the floor in this game scored points with the exception of Jonathan Kuminga.

#5 The playoffs get underway Tuesday night with the Warriors taking on the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento has a grudge to settle but can they do it without Malik Monk? How will this game play out.

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

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings struggling face Suns tonight in the second of back to back nights

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New Orleans guard Herbert Jones (5) goes up against the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes (40) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Apr 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The New Orleans Pelicans CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson both scored 31 a piece in the Pelicans 135-123 win over the struggling Sacramento Kings.

#2 Williamson went back to the New Orleans locker room to get his wrist worked on in the second quarter but the Kings couldn’t hold him back when he returned as Williamson scored 23 points in the second half.

#3 The Kings defense had a tough time shutting McCollum down who scored a season high of nine three pointers in 12 shots. McCollum also had seven assists and the Pelicans improved their post season chances in avoiding a play in.

#4 The Kings in the meantime are hanging onto eighth place they have now lost two straight and lost six of their last ten games what are the Kings chances in avoiding a play in?

#5 Kings get no rest they host the Phoenix Suns (47-33) tonight at Golden 1. The Suns are seventh place in the Western Conference and have won six out of their last ten games. How do you see this match up tonight?

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

Kings can’t stop Pelicans who sweep season series in five games; New Orleans McCollum and Williams make themselves at home at Golden 1

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New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) goes airborne to pass off the basketball as the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (10) tries to put a stop to the Pelicans offense under the basket in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Apr 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Thursday night in Sacramento. It was the Kings first game back home after a brutal road trip. The Kings lost games in New York, Boston, and Oklahoma City on a 1-3 trip. The Kings returned home a half game up on the Lakers for the 8th seed in the Western Conference.

The Kings were set to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. The Kings had not beaten the Pelicans all season at 0-4 up to that point. The Kings and Pelicans tipped off at 7 PM PST. The Kings lost 135-123 to the Pelicans on Thursday night.

In the first quarter, the Kings played about as bad as they have all season. The Kings couldn’t buy a bucket and had no answer on defense. The lead would balloon to 33-11 with 2:55 in the quarter. It was an embarrassing show from the Kings up to that point in the game. However, the Kings were able to go on a brief run to end the quarter to get the game to 34-23. De’Aaron Fox would need a career-high to have a chance in this game.

In the second quarter, the Kings flipped the script. The Kings outscored the Pelicans in the second quarter 35-30. It wasn’t enough for the Kings to take the lead, but it was a start. The Kings would go into halftime trailing the Pelicans 64-58. The Kings would need to continue to push the pace in the second half to have a chance. De’Aaron Fox had 17 points in the first half. Trey Murphy III had 20 first-half points.

In the third quarter, the Kings would fight. However, they couldn’t make up any ground on the Pelicans. The Kings would go on small runs that were countered by a run by the Pelicans. The Kings were outscored by the Pelicans 34-31 in the third quarter of the game. The Kings would trail 98-89 going into the final quarter of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Pelicans would extend the lead to 20 points. However, the Kings would fight back to make it more of a game. The Kings would cut the lead to 10 points, but it was too little and too late. The Pelicans would defeat the Kings 135-123.

The Kings were outscored by the Pelicans in the fourth quarter 37-34. The Kings were led by De’Aaron Fox, who scored 33 points. The Pelicans were led by Zion Williamson, who scored 31 points. The Kings would try to get back on track in one of their last two games before the postseason.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Friday at 7 PM PST.

Kings Blow 20 Point Lead; Lose to Thunder 112-105; Sabonis double double streak ends at 61 games

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The Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren(right) drives on the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (left) at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Tue Apr 9, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After leading by as much as 20 points, the Sacramento Kings (45-33) lost to the OKC Thunder (53-25) 112-105. We have seen them blow hefty leads lately in the second half of games. De’Aaron Fox had a terrific game with 33 points but ugly play at the end of the game was the difference. Sacramento just could not finish this game.

Game recap: The Kings were still without Malik Monk who is still out with a sprained right MCL and from some reports is healing very well. Sacramento had a great opening quarter leading after 12 minutes 31-28 in this highly competitive contest.

The Kings continued to extend their lead in the second quarter and with 5:31 left in the first half led 51-34. So far in this game the Kings had played a quality first half of basketball. With 18.2 left in the first half, the Kings had their largest lead of the game 64-44. At the half Sacramento took a 64-45 lead into the locker room.

De’Aaron Fox had a banner first half with 21 points and was 5 of 10 from beyond the arc and Keon Ellis was having a stellar game with 20 points and was 6 of 8 from three-point-land. The Kings had 14 triples in the first half.

Points from beyond the arc we’re making a huge difference in this game. The Kings were shooting at 44% while the Thunder were struggling shooting 22%. The Kings needed to come out with the same energy in the second half.

They had recently squandered a 21 point to the Knicks ultimately losing the game and they can ill afford a repeat of that game. The second half would be two of the most important quarters they have played all season.

With all that was riding on this game, the Kings came out flat in the third quarter. The Thunder, who are one of the best third quarter teams in the league, cut the Kings 19 point lead to three points going into the fourth quarter 87-84 and it will all hinge on how Sacramento would respond in the final quarter.

The Thunder took a two-point lead to start the fourth quarter and history was rearing it’s ugly head for the Kings. It had been a disastrous third quarter for Sacramento; they looked like an entirely different team unable to hit a bucket.

They took five shots in a row in the early minutes of the fourth quarter missing every one of them. The Thunder took a four point lead but the Kings fought back regaining the lead and it was on as both teams traded the lead back and forth with 7:42 left in the game.

The three’s that were falling for Sacramento in the first half were missing in the second half. With 2:27 left in the game, the Kings had a one point lead 105-104. With 35.7 seconds left in the game the Kings had let this game slip right through their fingers. Ugly mistakes at the end of the game spelled doom for the Kings in the 112-105 loss to the Thunder.

The Kings finished this game with 20 shots from downtown. Fox had 33 points and 8 rebounds but despite the flurry of long balls and Fox’s offense the Kings still lost this game. The Thunder crushed them in the paint and Domantas Sabonis for the first time in forever did not come away with a double double breaking an incredible streak. This was the Kings last road game of the season. They will play their remaining three games at Golden 1.

Game notes: The Kings are currently sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference a half game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and one game behind the seventh place New Orleans Pelicans. Tuesday night they took on the Thunderwho are currently in third place in the Western Conference and only one game behind the first place Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves who are tied in the top spot. The Kings could not hold onto a 20 point lead and ended up dropping the lead and the game. The Kings have only three games left.

Thursday night the Kings will take on the New Orleans Pelicans in Sacramento with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings hope to rebound from loss on Sunday in Brooklyn

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The Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum (0) and the Sacramento Kings Trey Lyles (right) both reach for the rebound in the first half at the Boston TD Garden on Fri Apr 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Kings (44-33) faced an even greater challenge Friday night taking on the Celtics (61-16) in Boston. The loss of Malik Monk was a blow to the Kings. He suffered an MCL sprain and was declared out for four to six weeks. Friday Monk addressed the possibility of an earlier return saying that his knee is feeling a lot better than expected.

#2 After falling behind in the fourth quarter by as much as 18 points, the Kings fought back taking a one point lead 100-99 with 11 seconds left on the clock. The Celtics took back the lead 101-100 with 7.4 seconds left in the game.

#3 The Kings fought all night to come back from 18 to close the gap to one point they got help from leading scorer DeAaron Fox with 40 points and Domantas Sabonis had 16 rebounds and 16 points.

#4 The fourth quarter the Boston defense shut the Kings scoring attack down to just 17 points. The Celtics countered with 28 points in the one point win.

#5 The Kings next up are at Barclay Center in Brooklyn Sunday for a 4:30pm PDT tip. The Nets (30-47) are 11th in the Eastern Conference and battling to move up on 10th place the Atlanta Hawks. This game could be a get in the mud fight between the Kings and Nets.

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

#3

#1