Tag: Sacramento Kings

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Warriors host Clippers tonight at Chase Center; Golden State has lost six of last seven games

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Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) tries to play keep away from the Sacramento Kings forward Kessler Edwards (17) in first quarter action at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Nov 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warrior podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Tuesday night’s game was another thriller, but the Sacramento Kings turned the tables on the Warriors as they returned from a 17-point halftime deficit to nip them 124-123.

#2 At one point in the first half, Golden State led by 24. Sacramento rallied late in the second period to finish the first half trailing 72-55. The Warriors held Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox to nine points.

#3 The Kings have a high-powered offense led by Fox and Sabonis. The Warriors contained Sabonis for the entire game but did not have an answer for Fox, Kevin Huerter, or Malik Monk.

#4 The Warriors had the ball. However, Draymond Green made another turnover. The Kings took the ball down and scored to go ahead 124-123. The Kings’ defense held to give them the victory.

#5 The Warriors return home to the Chase Center to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. The game will start at 7 p.m.

Jerry Feitelberg does the Golden State Warriors podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings come out flat and drop contest to Clippers 131-117 at Golden 1 Center

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The Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives on the Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Nov 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night in Sacramento. The Kings were set to take on the LA Clippers on Wednesday after defeating the Warriors on Tuesday. On the first night of the back-to-back on Tuesday, the Kings defeated the Warriors in a close game, 124-123.

The Warriors win was a big game for the Kings, as they had yet to defeat them this season. On Wednesday night, the tip-off for Kings VS Clippers was set for 7 PM PST inside a hostile Golden One Center. The Kings would come out flat and lose the game 131-117 to the LA Clippers.

In the first quarter, the Kings offense started to slow. For the second straight night, the Kings didn’t have any sort of rhythm on the offensive end of the floor. The Kings scored 27 points in the first quarter, but don’t let that deceive you. The Kings gave up 35 points to James Harden and the Clippers in the quarter. James Harden scored 17 of the 35 points in the quarter as he started red hot in the game.

In the second quarter, the Kings played terribly. The Kings defense was missing in action as the Clippers terrorized the Kings. The Clippers upped the intensity on the offensive end to score 37 points.

The Kings offense only scored 23 points in the second quarter as the Clippers lead ballooned to 22 points going into halftime. The Clippers got 16 from Kawhi Leonard, 17 from Paul George, and 19 from James Harden in the first half. The Kings, like Tuesday night, would be looking for answers in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings didn’t do much to bring the game closer. The Kings outscored the Clippers for the first time in the game 31-30 in the third quarter, but it appeared not enough to spark a Kings comeback. The Kings seemed out of gas on the second night of a back-to-back. The Kings offense would need to go on a terror in the fourth quarter. The Kings entered the final quarter of the game down 102-81.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings tried to rally, but it was a little too late. The Kings tried to get the game within single digits around the midway part of the quarter. However, the Clippers continued making shots and dashed hopes of a comeback for Sacramento. The Kings outscored the Clippers 36-29 in the final quarter to lose the game 131-117.

It was a disappointing loss for the Kings, who were on a strenuous second night of a back-to-back. An impressive individual performance led the Kings from De’Aaron Fox, who scored 40 points in the game. Leonard led the Clippers to victory, scoring 34 points.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at 7 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings get the edge on Golden State 124-123

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by the Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) in the first quarter at Golden 1 in Sacramento on Tue Nov 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night. The Kings returned home after a long road trip around the US. The Kings played well on the trip, going 4-2. However, an unfriendly opponent welcomed the Kings back home after four days off.

The Golden State Warriors were in town to face the Kings on Tuesday with a 7 PM PST tip-off. The Kings last played on the 24th against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Kings would win the game and clinch West Group C in the in-season tournament 124-123.

In the first quarter, the Kings played poorly. The Kings defense was atrocious in the first quarter, as they allowed the Warriors to score 37 points in the first quarter. The Kings defense was nonexistent, and the offense couldn’t pick up the slack as the Kings scored 29 points in the quarter.

The Kings were struggling again against the team that had appeared unbeatable by the Kings this season. The Kings would look for a spark in the second quarter to get back on track.

The Kings could have started the second quarter better. The Warriors expanded the lead early in the second quarter to 15 points with 6:12 to go in the half. The Kings were leaving much to be desired on the court in a big matchup on TNT.

The Kings needed help to get any rhythm going on the offensive end of the floor. The Warriors outscored the Kings in the second quarter 35-26. The Kings were down 72-55 heading into halftime. It was an embarrassing performance from the Kings in the first half. The Kings would look for any answer in the third quarter to make this a game.

In the third quarter, the Kings didn’t play much better to start the quarter. The Kings looked lifeless on the offensive end of the floor. However, the Kings did battle and got a few points black. The Kings outscored the Warriors 40-32 in the third quarter to come back a bit in the game.

The Kings would go into the game’s final quarter trailing 104-95. In the fourth quarter, the Kings would need to play some defense for the first time in the game to have a chance to win.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings made it a game. The Kings stormed back with an intensity not seen all game to make things interesting down the stretch. The Kings would win the game 124-123. The Kings offense was able to score 29 points in the fourth quarter. However, the difference was the Kings defense. The Kings defense held the Warriors to 19 points in the final 12 minutes.

The defense was the difference in the game for the Kings as they got their first win of the season against the Warriors. Malik Monk proved invaluable down the stretch as he hit the game’s last shot with seven seconds left to seal the deal.

The Warriors took the ball down the court with no timeouts, and Steph Curry missed a deep contested three-pointer to lose the game. The Kings were led in the victory by De’Aaron Fox, who had 29 points. Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 29 points each.

The Kings also clinched West Group C in the NBA in-season tournament with the victory. They will host the Pelicans in the knockout round on Monday at 7 PM PST.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the LA Clippers on Wednesday at 7 PM PST. The Kings will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Kings rally nip Warriors 124-123 at Golden 1; Fox leads Kings in scoring with 29 pts

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis is defended by the Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) during the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Nov 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (8-10) squared off against the Sacramento Kings (10-6) for the third time this season. The Warriors won both heavily contested games. Tuesday night’s game was another thriller, but the Sacramento Kings turned the tables on the Warriors as they returned from a 17-point halftime deficit to nip them 124-123.

It was truly a tale of two halves. The Warriors scored 72 points in the first two-quarters of play. The Warriors big three of guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson had their game going. Wiggins tallied 18, Thompson 17, and Curry 16. The Warriors had the Kings on their heels.

At one point in the first half, Golden State led by 24. Sacramento rallied late in the second period to finish the first half trailing 72-55. The Warriors held Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox to nine points. The only scorer in double-figures for Sacramento was Harrison Barnes, a former Warrior, with 12.

As fans of the NBA know, good teams can overcome a big deficit. The Kings have a high-powered offense led by Fox and Sabonis. The Warriors contained Sabonis for the entire game but did not have an answer for Fox, Kevin Huerter, or Malik Monk. The Kings’ head coach, Mike Brown, a defensive specialist, had his team ready to slow the Warriors’ offense in the third quarter.

The Warriors did score 32 points, but the Kings put 40 on the board to trail by nine, 104-95 at the end of the quarter. The Warriors helped the Kings as they continued to commit too many fouls. The Kings had 20 free throws in the period. The Warriors were also sloppy as they turned the ball over too many times, not only in the third quarter, but two late turnovers in the last 50 seconds of the fourth quarter cost them the game.

The Kings outscored the Warriors 29-19 in the fourth quarter to win. The Kings continued to chip away at the Warriors advantage. The Kings went ahead 111-110 late in the quarter. It was their first lead since early in the first quarter. The Warriors answered the challenge to take the lead by six, 121-115.

Fox hit a three to cut the lead to three. Andrew Wiggins made a two-point bucket to make it 123-119. With about 50 seconds left, Curry made a bad pass that led to the Kings making it a one-point game, 123-122. The Warriors had the ball. However, Draymond Green made another turnover. The Kings took the ball down and scored to go ahead 124-123. The Kings’ defense held to give them the victory.

Game Notes- With the loss, the W’s drop to 8-10. The Kings improved to 10-7. The Kings are now the top seed in their division for the in-season tournament.

The Warriors lost Chris Paul after the first quarter to soreness in his leg. Gary Payton II had to leave the game with a leg injury.

Wiggins and Curry led the team with 29 points each. Klay Thompson finished with 20. Moses Moody had 11, and Dario Saric ten.

Fox had 29 points and ten boards for Sacramento. Huerter and Monk each added 21 points. The Kings went to the free-throw line 42 times. They scored 26 points off Warrior turnovers.

The Warriors return home to the Chase Center to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. The game will start at 7 p.m.

Kings Deliver Beating Minnesota 124-111; Fox leads Sac with 36 pts in win

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Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) is thrilled after drilling a three point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half, during an in season tournament game at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Fri Nov 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite blowing a 22 point lead in the second quarter, the Sacramento Kings (9-6) beat the Western Conference leaders 124-11. The Kings had a great second half staying one step ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves (11-4) through both quarters

Game recap: The Kings took the lead in the first quarter of play with a 38-31 advantage. They really got going in the second quarter and at 7:34 they had a 22 point lead. Despite the healthy lead the Kings had, the Timberwolves fought back trimming that lead to six points at the half.

Sacramento had blown this quarter letting Minnesota back in the door although leading 70-64. After trailing by 22 points, Minnesota won the second quarter 33-32. This was an amazing comeback by the Timberwolves. It had started to look like the Kings had turned things around but their defense really let them down.

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards had 21 points at the half and Karl-Anthony Towns had 16. With a great defensive effort in the second quarter, these two guys squelched the Sacramento lead.

Sacramento’s Malik Monk had an amazing half off the bench with 17 points. Starters De ‘Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter each had ten points in the first half. The Kings would have to find a way to stop the Minnesota offensive onslaught and pick up their own offensive effort. Chris Duarte would have to step up in the second half putting up a goose egg in the first half.

The Timberwolves threatened to take the lead at 9:11 in the third quarter trailing by two points 72-70. The Kings pushed back and extended their lead to 78-70 with 7:21 left in the quarter. After three quarters Sacramento had a 94-79 lead. Against the Timberwolves practically no lead is safe and the Kings had to keep their foot on the pedal throughout the fourth quarter.

The Kings did indeed keep their foot on the pedal through the final quarter. Every time the Timberwolves threatened, the Kings answered hanging onto a double digit lead throughout the fourth quarter. The final was 124-111 in favor of the Kings and Sacramento had broken the Minnesota home streak. More importantly Sacramento had beaten one of the best teams in the NBA.

De’Aaron Fox shot the high for both teams with 36 points. Domantas Sabonis had another double double with 11 rebounds and 15 points. Monk had 17 points off the bench. Despite the huge lead they had mid-way through the second quarter, the Kings battled through the second half. They had a great defensive effort and their offense closed out this game.

Game recap: It’s been a rough week for the Kings, they got blown out last Monday night losing to the Pelicans 129-93 followed by a close loss to New Orleans in a back to back. Fox struggled from the field in Monday’s game with 14 points but bounced back in their game against the Pelicans Wednesday night with 26 points.

Friday night Sacramento traveled to Minnesota taking on the Timberwolves (11-4). Minnesota lost their bid for their eighth straight home win. The Kings would got back on the winning track and slamed the door shut on the Timberwolves win streak. This was tough match-up for the Kings and they got the starting roster back on course with a 13 point win on Friday.

Sacramento will have some well-deserved time off before taking on the Golden State Warriors at Golden One next Tuesday. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM. The Kings will come into this game with a lot of confidence after their win over the Timberwolves as well as a successful road trip with only two losses.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmson: Kings take on a successful Timberwolves team tonight at the Target Center

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) looks to pass the basketball while being double teamed by the New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr (behind Fox) and guard Dyson Daniels (11) in first half action at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The New Orleans Pelicans (8-7) top scorers from Wednesday night Zion Williams with 25 points and Brandon Ingram with 21 were key in playing catch up with the Sacramento Kings (8-6) after being behind by 14 points.

#2 Pelicans head coach Willie Green said of Williamson and Ingram, “Both of those guys have been working diligently with the coaching staff.”

#3 Later in the game it became nip and tuck with the Kings De’Aaron Fox who scored a basket that got the Kings within three points 115-112

#4 The Pelicans just pulled ahead of the Kings towards the end of the game with a five points win 117-112 and shut the Kings defense down to prevent them from getting within distance of tying the game.

#5 After the Kings six game win streak snapped by the Pelicans last Monday and loosing the second game on Wednesday. Tonight the Kings face Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves. Minnesota has won five of their last six games. Jeremiah how do you see this match up?

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

Sacramento Kings Lose Second Game to New Orleans Pelicans 117-112

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) takes the ball to the hoop against the Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) in the first half at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After getting totally ripped Monday night by the New Orleans Pelicans (8-7), the Sacramento Kings (8-6) met the Pelicans in a second game in as many days on Wednesday night. While they did trail at half-time they made things very interesting in the fourth quarter. The Kings tied the game numerous times in the final quarter but came up short losing 117-112.

Monday night the New Orleans Pelicans (8-7) completely owned the Sacramento Kings (8-6) crushing them 129-93. The Pelicans built momentum with each quarter and by the end of the third quarter this game was a done deal. In the first quarter of that first game Monday night, the Kings actually won the opening 31-29.

The Pelicans established a lead at the half 66-53 and never looked back. Wednesday night the Kings played the Pelicans in a second game in as many days hoping to turn things around but lost by five points to get swept in the two game series.

Game recap: In the first quarter of this game the Pelicans took the opener 32-30 so very similar to their first game Monday night. The second quarter was eerily similar with the Pelicans taking the quarter 32-20. At the half New Orleans led 64-50.

The Pelicans had a 14 pt. lead in this game at half-time and they held a 13 pt. lead in the first game of this series at the half. Zion Williamson already had 17 points in the first half and was making himself right at home driving the basket scoring layups at will.

The Kings defense was having a lot of trouble stopping him. Brandon Ingram had 11 points in the half. The Kings Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox both had double digits.

Mid-way through the third quarter, the Kings made some adjustments keeping Williamson out of the paint and making things much more difficult for him. As the third came to an end, Zion Williamson had not scored a single basket and Brandon Ingram had six points in the quarter.

The Pelicans continued to hang onto a double digit lead and after three quarters the score was 79-93. The Kings were trailing but this was manageable going into the fourth quarter unlike Monday’s game. Sacramento was out of that game going into the fourth on Monday night. It would all come down to the fourth quarter for Sacramento in this game.

With 8 1/2 minutes left in the game the Pelicans called a timeout. Sacramento had pulled to within two points 97-95. Sacramento’s bench player Trey Lyles had really turned it on scoring 12 points and De’Aaron Fox was really pushing with 24 points scored.

This game was within the Kings reach as Sacramento had tied up the game at 102 with 6:44 left on the clock. At 5:16 the Kings had, at long last, taken the lead 105-104. The Kings fought hard in the final quarter but came up just short losing the game 117-112.

The Kings had enough offense to have won this game but at times there was a defensive let-down. Fox had the high score for the team with 26 points. Sabonis had 23 points and Barnes finished with 22 points. Monk and Lyles both had double digits off the bench.

Friday night the Kings continue their road trip taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00.

Kings Take a Beating At the Hands of the New Orleans Pelicans 129-93

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) looks to get the ball to a teammate while under the basket against the Sacramento Kings at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The New Orleans Pelicans (6-7) squashed Sacramento in the Kings worst game of the season. The Pelicans poured in on the second half as they mercilessly pounded the Kings (8-4) in both the third and fourth quarters.

This game could not have ended soon enough for the Kings in their most embarrassing game of the season. Their worst game prior to this one was a loss to the Rockets in early November. They lost that game by 25 points. The final in this one was 129-93.

The Kings were on a roll but the Pelicans put an end to their six game win streak. The Kings were coming off a win over the Dallas Mavericks last Sunday. Monday night they took on the Pelicans and just couldn’t hang with them. The Pelicans had good defense to shut down the Kings scoring and dominated on offense staying well ahead of the Kings all game long. This was a challenge for Sacramento playing their first back-to-back games of the season.

Game recap: New Orleans did have a moderate start to the season but they still possess some very strong players in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. They will be missing CJ McCollum with a chest (collapsed lung) issue.

The Kings Kevin Huerter was a game time decision. Sacramento will be looking to push their winning streak to seven. Whether or not the road trip along with this back to back will effect the team will be known as this game gets underway.

The Kings won the opening quarter taking a 31-29 lead. There was a very real change in the energy in the second quarter and at the half, the Pelicans had taken a 66-53 lead. New Orleans peppered the Kings winning the quarter 37-22.

Williamson was having a field day finishing the first half with 22 points. The Kings offense was struggling and fatigue could very well be factoring into the collapse. Sacramento led until the final five minutes of the quarter and then everything began to break down.

Keegan Murray only had 5 points in the half and De’Aaron Fox finished with nine points. This is when the Pelicans began to really turn it on extending their lead to 13 points going into the locker room.

The Kings would have to dig deep if they wanted to turn this game around. They had to find a way to disrupt the play of Williamson. They will be playing the Pelicans for a second time on Wednesday in New Orleans so they want to come out of this with at least a split.

As the third quarter got underway it became very evident that the sluggish play from Sacramento was partially the result of fatigue. At 7:57 in the quarter the Pelicans had a 22 point lead, 77-55.

New Orleans was running roughshod over the Kings. The Pelicans were shooting at 57% to the Kings 35%. Shots from beyond the arc also went to New Orleans shooting at 54% to the Kings 26%. This game was turning into a disaster for Sacramento. As the third came to an end, the Pelicans had taken a dominating 100-69 lead.

There was just more of the same as the fourth quarter wore on. This game could not have ended soon enough for the team. The final was 129-93 in a real shocker. Harrison Barnes had the high for the Kings with 16 points.

Sacramento will have to pull it all together because on Wednesday the Kings will meet the Pelicans for a second time in New Orleans. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

30 points at 5:54

Kings Beat Spurs In a Thriller 129-120; Sac on a five game win streak, face Mavericks in Dallas Sunday

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The Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (5) tries to get a drive in on the San Antonio Spurs Jeremy Sochan (right) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Fri Nov 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (7-4) beat the San Antonio Spurs (3-9) in a game that was close until the final minutes of the game. This was their fifth win in a row in an amazing resilient effort winning 129-120. The Kings handed the Spurs their seventh loss in a row. De’Aaron Fox finished with 43 points.

The Sacramento Kings (7-4) took on the San Antonio Spurs (3-9) Friday night at Frost Bank Center . They continue their road trip after beating the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night 125-110 at times leading the Lakers by as much as 20. LeBron James did a great job in the fourth quarter attempting to lead his team to a comeback but fell short. The Kings held on for the win in a great start to this current road trip.

Game recap: The Spurs got a fast start leading 9-0 inside of two minutes forcing Head Coach Mike Brown and the Kings to take an early timeout. The Spurs didn’t back down at all and the Kings were having offensive trouble from the start. Halfway through the first quarter the Spurs were already 4 of 6 from downtown leading 23-7.

With a couple minutes left in the first quarter the Kings chipped away at the Spurs lead and when the clock expired Sacramento trailed by two points 31-29. They had a nice turnaround after trailing by quite a significant margin.

One minute into the second quarter, the Kings had taken their first lead of the game 33-31. Sacramento continued to hang onto the lead in the first half of the quarter. The Spurs refused to go away and mid-way through the quarter had taken back the lead 43-42. The Kings battled back and this game was tied at 62 when the the first half came to an end.

The Kings owned most of the third quarter taking as much as a 16 point lead mid-way through the quarter. The Spurs turned the quarter around trailing by four points with just over three minutes left in the third.

San Antonio continued to threaten cutting the King lead to a single point 88-87. With under two minutes left in the third Malik Monk hit his 5th three of the night. Every time the Kings built a lead, the Spurs erased it and after three quarters the Kings held a 95-94 lead. The Spurs had overcome a 16 point deficit.

The Spurs took the lead to start the fourth quarter 98-95. Seconds later this game was tied at 98 and the Kings Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray were desperately needed to step up in this game.

As the final quarter wore on, this was anybody’s game. In the final minutes Sacramento pulled it all together with some great defense winning a very challenging game 129-120. The Spurs had a great game and very nearly pulled off a win.

The Spurs Zach Collins had the high for the game with 28 points and the remarkable Victor Wembanyama had 27 points and 9 rebounds.

De’Aaron Fox finished the game with 43 points, eight rebounds, seven assists shooting at 58% from the field. This guy just seems to play better and better with every game . There was absolutely no rust to shake off after he missed five games with an ankle injury just coming back three games ago.

The Kings have now won five games in a row and will take on the Dallas Mavericks next Sunday with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 PM. This will be the ultimate challenge for Sacramento and they will need all hands on deck for this one.

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Sobonis stays hot scores his 15th Kings triple double; Sac takes out Thunder 105-98

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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Homgren (7) takes a shot against the Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sobonis (10) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Nov 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action at Golden One Center in Sacramento. The Kings were set to play their first NBA in-season tournament game. In the Kings last contest on Wednesday, they managed to defeat the Portland Trailblazers at home.

On Friday, the Kings were welcoming the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game was set for a 7 PM PST tip-off on the new hardwood exclusively for the NBA in-season tournament. The Kings defeated the Thunder by the final of 105-98 on Friday night.

In the first quarter, the Kings started the game on a terror. The Kings came out firing on all cylinders in the first, scoring 34 points in the quarter. On the other hand, the Thunder were held to 20 points by the Kings defense. The Kings were playing with an intensity that had been missing in the previous few weeks since the De’Aaron Fox injury.

In the second quarter, the Kings played much worse. The Kings offense reached a standstill in the quarter, scoring only 19 points. Fortunately for the Kings, the Thunder only managed 22 points for themselves in the quarter. So, the game would go to halftime with the Kings leading 53-42. The Kings didn’t play how they wanted to on the offensive end of the floor in the second quarter, but they maintained the lead. Kevin Huerter had a tremendous first half for the Kings, scoring 19 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 12 for the Thunder.

In the third quarter, the Kings lead continued to shrink. The Kings played an underwhelming third quarter, which shrunk the lead down to five going into the fourth quarter. The Kings were outscored by the Thunder 28-22 in the third quarter. The Kings were playing a very inconsistent game on the offensive end of the floor all night. The Kings would need to play with the same intensity they did in the first quarter to defeat Shai and the Thunder.

In the fourth quarter, both teams played with high intensity and attention to detail. Ultimately, the Kings would prevail by the final score of 105-98. The Kings scored 30 points in the last quarter of the game. The Thunder managed 28 points in the fourth quarter in defeat. It was an excellent win for the Kings, who didn’t shoot particularly well in the game but still found a way to win.

The Kings only shot 42% from the field, while the Thunder shot 44%. Coach Mike Brown was complimentary of his team postgame. In his postgame presser, Coach Brown said he was impressed with the game that Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter turned in.

Huerter and Keegan have struggled in early part of the season yet excelled on Friday night. The Kings were led in victory by Huerter, who scored 28 points in the contest. In defeat, the Thunder were led by a 28-point performance from Gilgeous-Alexander.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday at 7 PM PST at Golden One Center.