Tag: Sacramento Kings

Kings Lose By a Single Point to Boston 101-100 In a Heartbreaker

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The Boston Celtics Kristaps Porzingis (8) celebrates a three pointer next to the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half at Boston Garden on Fri Apr 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (44-33) put it all out there Friday night but lost by a single point 101-100 to the Boston Celtics (61-16). With 7.4 second left in the game the Kings had possession. They took three shots and missed every one of them. They squandered a monster opportunity. De’Aaron Fox finished with 40 points in the lose.

Game recap: The Celtics extended their lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter quickly taking a 12 point lead 64-52. The Kings would have to battle back as they had done in the second quarter. Boston went on to outscore the Kings in the quarter 30-22 leading 84-72 with 12 minutes left in the game.

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.

This was a crazy final sequence from Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox missed a 16-foot pullup jump shot; Murray got the offensive rebound and missed a seven-foot tip shot and a third Kings rebound.

Colby Jones missed a 4-foot tip shot and that was the game. Three chances and the Kings just could not pull it out. This loss was far more disappointing than their loss last night. They had a great opportunity to beat the best team in the NBA and failed.

The Kings outscored the Celtics in the fourth quarter 28-17 but just came up short. Fox had a superior game with 40 points. Domantas Sabonis finished with another double double, 16 rebounds and 16 points. Both Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray did pick up their game a tad but 10 points from either of these guys is underperforming.

Sacramento fell into eighth place with this loss with the Lakers a half a game behind them in ninth place. The Kings are in a very shaky position right now, on a dangerous path. Luckily the Rockets are in 11th four games behind the tenth place Warriors should the Kings fall further down in the standings.

Thursday night the Kings lost to the New York Knicks after establishing a 21 point lead . The final in that game was 120-109 in favor of the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Kings had a disappointing second half of basketball.

Game notes: The Kings faced an even greater challenge Friday night taking on the Celtics 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. So an early return for Monk? Only time will tell but the Kings could sure have used him on Friday night.

Sunday evening the Kings move onto Brooklyn for a game with the Nets. The Kings do not want to lose a third game in a row. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Kings blow 21 point lead lose to Knicks 120-109 at MSG

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New York Knicks Josh Hart (3) takes to the basket against the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (10) and Trey Lyles (41) in the first half at Madison Square Garden in New York on Thu Apr 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK, NY. — The Sacramento Kings had their sights on beating the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden for the first time since 2019 and held a 21-point lead at one point on Thursday – only to blow it and lose 120-109.

“We have got to figure something out, I got to do a better job to help my team out with drawing

fouls or gamesmanship,” said Kings head coach Mike Brown.

Sacramento got off to an excellent start against the Knicks, who hours earlier announced that their star forward, Julius Randle, would undergo a season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.

In the first 15 minutes of the game, the Kings went 19-for-28 and led the Knicks 46-25. But the Knicks chipped away at the lead in the second quarter and went on a 16-2 run. By halftime, the Knicks had cut the Kings’ lead to 60-52.

With 8:11 left to play in the third quarter, Donte DiVincenzo made a three-pointer to put the Knicks down only 68-62, and the crowd at MSG went wild. Then with 4:09 to go in the quarter, Josh Hart made a slam dunk to put the Knicks within three points of the Kings at 79-76.

The Knicks took control of the game in the fourth quarter. De’Aaron Fox made a triple that extended Sacamento’s lead to 95-92 with 9:55 to go. But Jalen Brunson and Hart answered back with three-pointers of their own and carried New York on a 13-0 run putting them 105-95 over Sacramento midway through the quarter. 

“I just think defensively we weren’t getting stops,” said Fox. “Outside of the first quarter, they scored over 30-points in every quarter. We weren’t good defensively.”

Domantas Sabonis made a tip shot with 5:46 left in the game to cut the Knicks’ lead to 105-97, but Brunson made back-to-back baskets to extend New York’s lead to 12 points and the Kings were unable to catch up. Brunson received “MVP” chants from fans in the Garden.

“I thought we did a nice job of getting into the paint a couple of times and we got guys lifted,” Brown said. “But when you get a guy lifted in there like Jalen does, you just got to jump into his body and see if you can get to the free throw line.”

The Kings remain in the eighth seed with only six games left in the regular season and as other teams in the Western Conference inch closer to them including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. 

“The way that our conference is, you could win one or two games and be in six, you could lose one or two games and be in nine,” Fox said. “So obviously I think we let one get away, but we have to be focused on tomorrow,” Fox said.

The Kings (44-32) continue their roadtrip against the Boston Celtics (60-16) on Friday with tipoff at 4:30 p.m. PT, before returning to New York City to face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. PT.

Sabonis unstoppable 22 points 20 rebounds as Kings defeat Clippers 127-106

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Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (10) center drives on the Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (right) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night inside Golden One Center. The Kings were coming off an off day on Monday after playing on Sunday at home. On Sunday, the Kings defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in blowout fashion, 127-106.

The Clippers were also coming off a win on Sunday. The Clippers defeated the Hornets in Charlotte by the final 130-118. The Kings and Clippers were set for tip-off on Tuesday at 7 PM PST. The Kings defeated the Clippers 109-95 on Tuesday night in front of a sold-out crowd.

In the first quarter, neither team got off to a fast start. The Kings and Clippers started slow on offense, as neither team found a rhythm in the first quarter. Both teams scored 24 points in the first quarter to remain tied after the first. Paul George and Keegan Murray started the game hot for their respective teams, scoring nine points each.

In the second quarter, the Kings offense took off. The Kings exploded to open up a 16-point lead in the second quarter. Fox and Davion Mitchell were firing on all cylinders early in the quarter to open the game up. However, the Clippers battled back to get the game closer at the midway point in the quarter, cutting the lead to six with 4:47 in the half.

For the rest of the quarter, the teams traded baskets to go into halftime, with the Kings leading 56-51. The Kings would take the five-point lead into halftime, looking to expand on it in the third quarter.

In the third quarter, the Kings had a breakout quarter from start to finish. The Kings offense went off for 35 points against a weak effort by the Clippers on the defensive end of the floor. The Kings, led by an aggressive Keegan Murray, would hold the Clippers to 19 points in the third.

The Kings would go into the final quarter of action leading 91-70. Keegan Murray was leading the Kings through three quarters with 19 points. Paul George had 18 through three-quarters of action for the Clippers.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings maintained the lead to defeat the Clippers. The Clippers outscored the Kings 25-18 in the game’s final quarter. However, it was to no avail.

The Kings would defeat the Clippers 109-95 to have a two-game win streak going before they head on the road. The Kings leading scorer in the game was Domantas Sabonis, who scored 22 points with 20 rebounds. Russell Westbrook led the Clippers with a 20-point performance.

Up Next: The Kings go on the road to take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Kings and Knicks will tip off at 4:30 PM PST on Thursday.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: No.7 Kings and No.4 Clippers battle tonight at Golden 1

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Sacramento Kings Domanta Sabonis (left) is defended by the Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (right) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Mar 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Harrison Barnes scored 24 points and scored 16 key points in the third quarter to lead the Sacramento Kings to a huge 39 point third quarter rally to help the Kings get past the Utah Jazz last Sunday 127-106.

#2 The Kings were short handed and Barnes came through with some crucial scoring in the third quarter and the Kings offense just seemed to have their way with the Jazz there was no stopping that offense who ran up the score like that.

#3 Top scorers on the Kings were Keegan Murray with 25 points and DeAaron Fox had 24 points and 12 assists but pretty got their shots and were a path for the Kings win Sunday.

#4 Barnes said that coach Mike Brown said that everyone pretty much had the green light and go out there and be aggressive and shoot with confidence.

#5 The Kings host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night at Golden 1. The Clippers are fourth place in the Western Conference having won three straight and won six of their last ten games. The Kings have also won six of their last ten games. How do you see this match up tonight?

Join Tony Renteria for the Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barnes 13 point 3rd quarter gets Kings 127-116 win over Jazz at Golden 1

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Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (left) gets the throw down on the Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Mar 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz on Sunday night at Golden One Center 127-116. The Kings were coming off two bad losses to the Dallas Mavericks in search of getting back on track. The Kings and Jazz were set for tip-off at 7 PM PST at Golden One Center on Easter Sunday.

In the first quarter, the Kings gained a quick lead against the Jazz. The Kings outscored the Jazz in the first quarter 27-23. The Jazz offense quickly got everyone involved. The Jazz had seven scorers in the first quarter. On the other hand, the Kings Keegan Murray started hot, scoring 10 points to lead the Kings in the first quarter. The Kings didn’t show a lot of superiority so far in a game played against a largely injured Jazz squad. The Kings would look to take over the game in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings couldn’t create the separation they wanted. The Kings and Jazz scored 29 points in the second quarter, and the Kings remained up by four points. Collin Sexton led the Jazz in the second quarter, adding nine points. Domantas Sabonis got the offense going for himself in the second quarter, scoring nine points. The Kings would go into halftime with a 56-52 lead. It was an underwhelming half from the Kings, who would look to jump out ahead in the third quarter.

In the third quarter, the Kings went on an offensive terror. The Kings put up a mammoth 39 points in the third quarter to expand the lead with Harrison Barnes contributing 13 points. The Jazz scored 25 points in the third quarter to dig themselves a big hole going into the final quarter.

The Kings would take a 95-77 lead into the final 12 minutes. Keegan Murray and De’Aaron Fox were leading the Kings in scoring through three quarters with 20 points each. Brice Sensabaugh was leading the Jazz with 19 points.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings did what they needed to maintain the advantage and come away with a win. The Kings didn’t blow the Jazz off the court in the fourth as they did in the third. However, the Kings held on and defeated the Jazz 127-106.

The Kings played well in the second half and took care of a team they were expected to beat going into the game. The Kings outscored the Jazz in the final quarter 32-29. The leading scorer for the Kings in victory was Keegan Murray, who scored 25 points. Fox and Barnes had 24 points each. Sensabaugh and Sexton led the way for the Jazz in defeat, scoring 22 points.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the LA Clippers on Tuesday at 7 PM PST inside Golden One Center.

Exum hits 3 pointer and Irving leads with 30 as Mavericks upend Kings 132-96

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Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) scores on the Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) in the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Mar 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Friday night inside Golden One Center in Sacramento. The Kings and Mavs were set to play for the second time this week after the Mavs routed the Kings 132-96 on Tuesday evening. The Mavs and Kings were both coming off two days of rest and ready for a rematch of Tuesday night. The game tipped off at 7 PM PST.

GAME RESULT: In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a quick start offensively. The Kings outscored the Mavs in the first quarter 34-26. Harrison Barnes and Keon Ellis started the game red-hot with 11 points each in the first quarter. The Kings were playing a much more physical style of basketball than they did on Tuesday.

In the second quarter, the Kings kept up the intensity to limit good shots on the Dallas end of the floor. However, Luka and the Mavs kept the game within reach while withstanding the Kings push. The Kings outscored the Mavs by a point in the second quarter, 26-25.

Harrison Barnes continued his hot start, adding six more in the second to finish the half with 17 points. Kyrie Irving led the Mavs in the first half with 14 points. The Kings led going into halftime 60-51.

In the third quarter, the Kings held the edge. The Kings and Mavs traded baskets all quarter to end up in the same place as they started the quarter. The Kings and Mavs both scored 22 points in the quarter for the Kings to maintain the nine point lead. Luka Doncic was leading the way for the Mavs, and De’Aaron and HB both had 17 points to end the third. The Kings would lead 82-73 going into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Mavs came storming back. The Mavs came back to take a 99-98 lead with 3:45 left to play. The Kings squandered another lead, hoping to regain momentum and not drop both games to the Mavs at home.

The Kings couldn’t regain the lead and lost to the Mavs 107-103. Fox led the Kings in defeat with 23 points. The Mavs outscored the Kings 34-21 in the fourth. Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 30 points.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Jazz at 6 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Mavs and Kings match up for a second time at Golden 1 tonight

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The Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) looks to pass the ball against the Sacramento Kings (center) Alex Len (25) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Mar 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 How important is it for the Kings to shut down Luka Doncic tonight against the Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center.

#2 The Mavericks Doncic scored a leading 28 points against the Kings last Tuesday at Golden 1 in the Mavericks 132-96 win.

#3 Doncic with the hot hand also added 11 rebounds and six assists and had three steals. Doncic is a difficult player to defend.

#4 The Mavericks have now won five straight games and are looking for a sixth. The Kings have home floor advantage tonight at Golden 1. What is the top game plan or Kings head coach Mike Brown tonight is it shutting down Doncic and trying to keep the Mavericks guessing on defense?

#5 Do you find it advantageous for the Kings to face the Mavericks in back to back games in having seeing last Tuesday or a disadvantage because the Mavericks have an idea how to run the table against the Kings after seeing them this week?

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

Kings Win Cliff-Hanger Beating Orlando 109-107

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The Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) takes the ball against the Orlando Magic center Mortiz Wagner (21) in the first half at the Kia Center in Orlando on Sat Mar 23, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After losing a game to the worst team in the NBA Thursday night, the Sacramento Kings (40-29) went on to beat one of the best Saturday night. The Kings beat the Orlando Magic (42-28) in a crazy game where there were insane lead changes numbers-wise. The game went right down to the wire with the Kings coming out on top 109-107. This was not a game for the faint of heart. It was a great and badly needed win for the team.

Saturday evening the Kings traveled to Orlando for a matchup with the Magic. The Kings lost a shocker to the Washington Wizards Thursday night 109-102. Whether they took the Wizards lightly which hardly seems the case or they were just off their game, they cannot afford losses this late in the season. These two teams are evenly matched so fans were in store for a real barn burner.

The first half was close from start to finish. As the two teams headed to the locker room after the first two quarters the Magic had a slim lead 56-54. After the first 12 minutes, the Kings had a 27-26 lead. The Magic went on to win the second quarter 30-27 and thus the halftime lead 56-54. This game had proven to be as close as expected.

The Kings fought for the third quarter winning it 27-25 and this game was knotted at 81. The Kings made a move in the fourth quarter. Keegan Murray was having a monster game making 6 of 7 from beyond the arc.

De’Aaron Fox was needed to provide his fourth quarter magic as the clock wound down to under four minutes with Sacramento leading 99-94. The Kings had hit 15 triples so far in this game.

The Magic had pulled to within three points several times during the final minutes of this game with Sacramento fighting to hang onto the lead. With 21.2 seconds left on the clock, the Magic had taken the lead 107-106.

Orlando’s Jalen Suggs fouled Fox who hit both free throws and Sacramento took back the lead 108-107 with two seconds left in the game. Orlando went on to foul Keon Ellis who hit one of two free throw and that was the game. The Kings had won a nail-biter 109-107 against one of the best in the NBA.

Fox had the high for the Kings with 31 points and Domantas Sabonis had yet another double double, his 66th this season. This one was his 53rd in a row tying Kevin Love for the longest streak. Sabonis finished with 21 points. Murray had a terrific game with 22 points going 6 of 7 from downtown. Ellis continues to play lights out with 19 points improving with every game.

“Heck of a win for our guys. They put pressure on the rim and they had a huge size advantage. I thought our group showed resilience and we rebounded well,” said Head Coach Mike Brown after the game. “When you are not shooting well, you have to defend. We won the possession game in a tough environment,” he said.

Monday night the Kings return home to Golden 1 Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings battle 4th place Magic Saturday night

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Sacramento Kings center Alex Len (25) defends the Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill (right) in the first half at the Capital One Center in Washington on Thu Mar 21, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:
#1 You know what they say in the NBA anything could happen on any given night and at the Capital One Center the Washington Wizards who have one of the worst records in the NBA defeated the Sacramento Kings 109-102.

#2 The win ended the Wizards five game losing streak and Kyle Kuzma led Washington with 31 points. Kuzma hit 13 of 22 shots and had six rebounds this after missing the last two games.

#3 For the Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox had 25 points and Malik Monk had 20 points and the Kings now are 16-8 when playing back to back games.

#4 Domantas Sabonis is still on a hot streak with 52 straight double double games. Sabonis had 14 points and 14 rebounds.

#5 The Kings tip off against the Orlando Magic on Saturday at 4:00pm PDT in Orlando. The Magic are 42-28 and are fourth in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are going well with a five game winning streak.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the Kings podcasts on Fridays at wwww.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Demolish Raptors 123-89; Sabonis chalks up his 24th triple-double

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On defense the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (10) and forward Keegan Murray (13) puts the squeeze on the Toronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown (11) in the first half at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wed Mar 20, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (40-28) lost to the Toronto Raptors (23-46) back in January but they were not having any of that in their game Wednesday night. They came in with a purpose and they played the Raptors off the court. This game was finished after the third quarter with the Kings finishing off Toronto in the fourth the final 123-89.

Game recap: The first quarter was a close one with the Kings leading after the first 12 minutes 32-27. Sacramento busted this game wide open in the second quarter leading at the half 68-45. They won the second quarter by a landslide 36-18. De’Aaron Fox already had 15 points and the incomparable Domantas Sabonis already had 12 rebounds.

Sacramento took their first half energy into the third quarter winning the quarter 31-20 and the Kings had a 99-65 lead going into the fourth quarter. Sabonis had his 24th triple double and another double double his 63rd this season.

The Raptors had their best quarter of the game but it was over after the third quarter. Toronto tied the Kings in the fourth quarter 24-24 and a lot of credit to the Raptors for continuing to fight.

The Kings did let their foot off the pedal mid-way through the quarter but pulled it back together to finish off the Raptors. Sacramento had tied up their series at one apiece. Whether it was the memory of the game back in January or where the season is right now, the Kings came into this game with a real agenda and they never backed down.

This was a monster game for the Kings. Fox had the team high of 20 points. Sabonis had 17 rebounds, 10 assists and 13 points for another triple double. Malik Monk and Chris Duarte had a terrific game off the bench. Monk with 17 and Duarte with 14. This was their second win in a row and it was an important win as this season approaches the finish line. Every game is critical right now.

Post game notes: Wednesday night the Kings took on the Raptors on the road at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Kings came into this game after beating the Memphis Grizzlies in Sacramento on Monday night. They sit in sixth place tied with the Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns are a half a game behind both of them. The Raptors beat the Kings back in January in their only meeting this season. Toronto is really struggling this season and couldn’t break their seven game losing streak extending to eight games with the loss to the Kings.

The Kings continue on the road taking on the Washington Wizards Thursday night. This team right now is committed to winning and that is what the Kings are seeing right now. Hopefully they will take this energy into their next game in Washington. The good news for the Kings is that they were able to rest their starters in the fourth quarter of this game. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM at the Capital One Center.