Tag: Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings get OT win over Blazers 121-118; Sac hosts OKC at Golden 1 tonight

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The Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) takes a shot against the Portland Trailblazers forward Justin Minaya (24) second half action at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Nov 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, Domantas Sobonis had the hot hand for the Sacramento Kings (3-4) on Wednesday night leading with 27 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists on the Kings 121-118 victory over the Portland Trailblazers.

#2 With just 13 seconds left in overtime the Kings Molik Monk hit two crucial free throws to keep hope alive.

#3 The Kings got ten points to the Trailblazers seven points in over time and got a four point edge for the win.

#4 The Blazers are now 3-5 how much is that record and some of those loses based on Damion Lillard no longer with Portland.

#5 The Kings host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 tonight. The Thunder are 5-3 and defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last game 128-120. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead all scorers for the Thunder with 43. How crucial will it be for the Kings defense to shut down Alexander?

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

Kings Continue Slump Demolished By Rockets 122-97; Houston sweeps two game series

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Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (center) struggles with the basketball with the Sacramento Kings forwards Harrison Barnes (40) Keegan Murray (right) at the Toyota Center on Mon Nov 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

There are no words in Webster’s dictionary to describe how terrible this game went for the Sacramento Kings (2-4). It would seem that they are completely helpless without superstar De’Aaron Fox who remains out with the ankle injury.

It would also appear that there are no players that can step up in his absence. That does not bode well for this team. As this game reached the seven minute mark in the fourth quarter it could not have ended quickly enough for these guys. The final score was 122-97 Houston Rockets (3-3) at the Toyota Center in Houston in game 2 of the series.

Monday night the Kings continued to play without superstar De’Aaron Fox taking on the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. He was ruled out hours before tipoff missing his third game in a row. The Kings are missing everything that he brings to the court and are struggling.

The Kings lost to the Rockets on Saturday night, an 18 point loss 107-89, a very embarrassing loss. A big part of the Kings future was thought to be Keegan Murray but he has not shown up so far.

Murray finished the Saturday night game with the Rockets shooting for seven points and going 3-12. His shot is not falling and he is not delivering at all and needs to have more of an impact. Another player not carrying his load is the newly signed Sasha Vezenkov.

The excitement surrounding Vezenkov’s signing has now fallen flat when he scored nada in their last game. While Domantas Sabonis was not awful he was not at his usual best which is roughly 18 points per game.

With Fox still remaining out of action this team has to step up and Sabonis is a huge part of this. Their defense has been stale and they need to add another star to their core. As we have seen early in this season injury can play havoc with a team.

The Kings need Fox who is the heart of their offense. It is early in the season and not the worst time for a team to suffer injury, but that being said, Sacramento does not want to lose a third game in a row.

The opening quarter of Monday night’s game went very poorly for the Kings. They lost the first quarter 32-22. It really went sideways in the second quarter with the Rockets topping the Kings 35-20 taking a 67-42 lead into the locker room at the half. The first half of this game was a disaster for Sacramento but unfortunately the worst was still to come.

After three quarters the writing was pretty much on the wall. It was a horrific showing by the Kings. It could not have been any worse with some lackluster shooting and terrible defense allowing the Rockets to walk all over them.

The starters were MIA for the first three quarters. Harrison Barnes had three points after three quarters, Davion Mitchell had five, Domantas Sabonis with eight points. It was a nightmare. Even the energetic Malik Monk off the bench only managed five points. After three quarters Houston had a 95-60 lead in a monster embarrassment. It was like taking candy from a baby for Houston in this lopsided game.

The fourth quarter was more of the same and early in the final quarter the Rockets had taken a forty point lead 107-67. If you think that Saturday night’s loss was an embarrassment think again. The Kings did win the fourth quarter but this game was a done deal at half time. The Kings came around in the fourth quarter winning the quarter 37-25. The final was 122-97.

Wednesday night the Kings will take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center. Hopefully the crowd can get this team energized and an even more importantly get Fox back on the court.

The Kings, of course, does not want to put Fox back on the court until he is completely ready. They cannot afford to risk further injury to Fox’s ankle. This team is going through some discouraging times and they need to pull it all together and come out the other side. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Kings Dismantled By Rockets 107-89; Sacramento and Houston match up for game 2 Monday night at the Toyota Center

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The Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (left) drives on the Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (right) at the Toyota Center in Houston in game 1 of the two game series on Sat Nov 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings had an opportunity in the second and third quarters of Saturday nights game despite the absence of De’Aaron Fox still out with an ankle injury. In fact they were down by three points mid-way through the fourth quarter. They were unable to contain the Rockets Dillon Brooks, in the later minutes of the final quarter, who sailed through the fourth quarter scoring 12 points beating the Kings 107-89.

Saturday night the Sacramento Kings (2-3) took on the Houston Rockets (2-3) at Toyota Center. The Kings played without their star Fox who was ruled out for a second game in a row with a moderate right ankle sprain. The injury occurred in the overtime win last Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers. It doesn’t stop there, the Kings is also without Trey Lyles. Lyles has not yet made his regular season debut after suffering a left calf strain in the preseason.

Playing without Fox made it difficult and the starting lineup had to step up in his absence. They certainly did exactly that in their last game against the Golden State Warriors losing in the final 0.2 seconds of the game by a single point 102-101.

Game recap: The Rockets smothered the Kings in the first 12 minutes of play 33-19. Sacramento did win the second quarter but still trailed at the half 59-53. The Kings did cut their deficit but still had some ground to make up.

Sacramento continued their bid in the third quarter winning it 15-12 and only trailed by three points going into the fourth quarter 71-68. The Rockets Dillon Brooks had an amazing fourth quarter as Houston beat the Kings badly in the final quarter 36-21 winning the game 107-89.

This was a real disappointment for Sacramento. They have had a very lukewarm start this season. They had a lot of trouble containing Brooks in this game who finished with 26 points, 12 of them coming in the fourth quarter. The Kings did pull to within three points with 8 1/2 minutes remaining when Malik Monk hit a shot from downtown. It was at this point that the Rockets went on a 10-2 run and they never looked back.

Monk finished with the high for the team with 18 points off the bench. The only starters who had double digits were Domantas Sabonis who had a double double with 11 points and 15 rebounds and Harrison Barnes who finished with 13 points. Keegan Murray, Davion Mitchell and Kevin Huerter had a very quiet night.

The Kings will get another shot at the Rockets hoping to even the score on Monday night with tipoff scheduled for 5:00 PM PST at the Toyota Center in Houston. This will be game 2 of this two game series.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Kerr-Brown battles should be entertaining during Kings-Warriors meetings

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Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown encourages his team against the Golden State Warriors from the bench at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Nov 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Golden State Warriors won a nail-biter Wednesday night as they downed the Sacramento Kings 102-101 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The Warriors won their fourth in a row and the second over the Kings this year. 

#2 It was a nip-and-tuck affair for all four quarters. The first half ended with the Warriors up by a point, 56-55. The Kings’ defense held the Warriors to 18 points in the third quarter to lead by five 79-74. The Warriors knew they had to find a way to beat Sacramento.

#3 The Kings’ head coach, Mike Brown, had Davion Mitchell start instead of Fox. Brown could have put Malik Monk in the starting lineup but felt Monk was better coming off the bench.

#4 Brown took that knowledge to Sacramento and turned the Kings into a defensive powerhouse. The Kings also have a potent offense led by Fox and Domontas Sabonis. With Fox out, the Kings knew the defense would be necessary if they hoped to get a win over the Warriors.

#5 The Warriors are back on the road to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night in the first game of the in-season tournament for a 5:00pm PT tip off.

Join Jerry for the Warriors podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Golden State Slips Past Sacramento in Thriller 102-101

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Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray right tries to protect the basketball while Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry tries to reach up for the ball at Chase Center San Francisco on Wed Nov 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

In the closest game the Sacramento Kings have seen this season the Golden State Warriors battled past the Kings 102-101 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. This game was tight from start to finish and in the end it was Klay Thompson with the ultimate clutch shot that won it for the Warriors. Both teams had better offensive and defensive effort in the second half but when push came to shove it was Golden State that prevailed. With less than a second left on the clock Thompson hit pay dirt.

Wednesday night the Golden State Warriors (4-1) were back home at Chase taking on the Sacramento Kings (2-2). The Warriors beat the Kings up in Sacramento less than a week ago 122-114. Both of these teams were in last year’s post-season and will likely repeat in the 2023-24 season. This will be yet another battle between these two northern California teams.

The Kings led after the first quarter 31-28. The Warriors took charge in the second quarter winning it 28-24 and taking a 56-55 lead into the locker room at the half. The defensive pressure from Golden State was lacking in the first half but the Warriors have always been a second half team. They would be looking to tighten up their defense going into the third quarter.

The Kings continued to take charge in the third quarter at one time leading by 11 points 69-58. The slow start the Warriors had in the quarter came to end when they went on a 13-3 run. At one point the Kings had outscored them 14-4 but as the quarter came to an end the Kings continued to lead 79-74 but Golden State had whittled down their lead.

There had been no true separation in this game simply because of how well these two teams know each other and how well these two coaches know each other as well.

The fourth quarter began to reveal a lot of King’s mistakes with missed shots and turnovers coupled with some terrific defense by Golden State. Golden State guard Curry started to hit some of those shots from downtown as we see so often in the second half of games.

The Warriors took the lead in the early minutes of the final quarter but this game remained tight. With seven minutes left in the game head coach Steve Kerr put Curry and Draymond Green, their elite closers, on the court.

At 6:46 left in the game it was all tied up at 83. This game would go back and forth still tied with five minutes left on the clock. Sacramento double teamed Curry for the remainder of the quarter, not unexpected, and something that Curry sees in most every game.

Despite that Curry has an uncanny way of working around opponents defense and scoring anyway. Kevon Looney made some great clean up shots giving the Warriors a one shot lead 92-89 with 3:33 left to play. At 2:53 it was anybody’s game with the Kings up one 93-92. Everyone of the Sacramento’s starters were in double digits.

This game could not have been tighter with the two teams trading the lead throughout. With forty seconds left in the game the Warriors could not make a single mistake trailing 99-98. This had been the closest game either of these two teams had played so far this season.

This time it was not Curry to the rescue it was Thompson who shot over Davion Mitchell to take a 102-101 lead with 0.2 on the clock and that would be the final. Golden State had improved to 4-1 as they head back out on the road to take on the Thunder.

The bench had come into this game giving the Warriors some good minutes but it was Klay Thompson who had a great shooting night in the second half. He finished with 14 points but it was the last shot that he took that made all the difference in this game.

Curry had the team high 21 points. The Warriors continue to struggle with turnovers committing 18 in the game. It may not have been a pretty game but the final score was a beauty.

The Kings played a terrific offensive and defensive game and they might have found a way to win if they had not been without their superstar De’Aaron Fox. Every starter had double digits for Sacramento as they will now head to Houston for a game with the Rockets.

Curry and Warriors Dominate Pelicans in Second Half Winning 130-102; Curry buries 7 three pointers

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes one of his three point shots in the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Mon Oct 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After the amazing game from Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and company last night against the Rockets the question was posed: would this team suffer from any sort of fatigue. That question was answered in the first half and the Warriors seemed to play even harder in the second half. Curry finished the game with 42 points in yet another outstanding performance in the 130-102 win; their third road win in a row.

Monday evening the Golden State Warriors (3-1) took on the New Orleans Pelicans (2-1) at Smoothie King Center. The Warriors are coming off a win over the Houston Rockets 106-95 Sunday night. Fatigue did not play a role in Monday night’s game for the Warriors. Playing those back to back games is draining and the Pelicans were playing some great basketball but ended their unbeaten streak.

Game recap: The two teams played a very close first quarter with the Warriors holding a slim lead after the first 12 minutes 29-27. At the half the Warriors still held a two-points lead 59-57. It was dead even in the second quarter with both teams scoring 30 points apiece.

It was anybody’s game going into the third quarter. Curry was back to his old tricks with three shots from downtown in the first quarter and a couple more in the second quarter. He really had to step up in the absence of Thompson and Kuminga and he did not disappoint. None of the Warriors showed any signs of fatigue in the first half nor for the rest of the game.

Golden State began to distance themselves from the Pelicans in the third quarter extending their lead going into the fourth quarter 98-78. The Warriors were taking care of Zion Williamson and the rest of the Pelicans.

Golden State was on their way to a spotless road record winning their third in a row. Curry and the Warriors continued the onslaught in the fourth quarter. With under three minutes left in the game, the Warrior’s bench took over slamming the door shut on the Pelicans leading 123-95.

This is the best that the Warriors have looked this season. Golden State did not dominate until the second half but when they got going it was all but over for New Orleans. The final was 130-102 and the Warriors would travel home with a perfect road record.

The road woes are history as the Warriors won their third in a row. Curry has been instrumental in every one of the first four games of the season finishing this game with 42 points in 30 minutes. He hit 7 of 13 three-pointers.

The Pelicans are a very good team but Golden State rendered them helpless in the second half. Moses Moody who started in this game had 13 points as did bench players Trayce Jackson-Davis and Chris Paul.

This game was a real test for the Warriors and they passed with flying colors. Kudos to the Golden State bench. Chris Paul, Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, Dario Saric and Trayce Jackson-Davis all played nearly 2 quarters in total giving the starters some much needed rest.

Draymond Green played 22 minutes and had six points and six rebounds as he works back into the system. What was outstanding was the disparity between the rebound numbers.

The Warriors had 64 rebounds to the Pelicans 39 and their field goal and three point percentages topped New Orleans. Their turnovers are still significant but playing the way they are right now it doesn’t really matter all that much.

Zion Williamson helped his team keep it close in the first half but it all came apart in the second half when he got into foul quarter in the third quarter. He did finish with 19 points. The Pelicans played without starter Brandon Ingram who missed the game with right knee soreness.

The Warriors now head home for another date with the Sacramento Kings their second game against each other in the past four days. Golden State beat them in their first game Friday night 122-114 and this will prove to be another challenge for the Warriors.

The only game that the Warriors have lost this season was a loss at Chase against the Phoenix Suns in their season opener.

Tipoff for Wednesday’s game between Sacramento and Golden State is scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Chase Center in San Francisco .

13-3 run third

zion picked up his fourth quarer.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors out pace Rockets for second road win

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The Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) goes for the hoops being defended by the Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (left) and forward Kevin Looney (right) at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sun Oct 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Houston Rockets are a much better team than they were last season and will no doubt win more than 22 games. They hung tight with the Golden State Warriors until the fourth quarter.

#2 That is when Warriors guard Stephen Curry went nuts hitting four three’s in a row in the fourth and locked down this win for the Warriors 106-95.

#3 The Golden State Warriors (2-1) took on the Houston Rockets (0-3) Sunday evening with a full roster which included the long awaited return of Draymond Green. 

#4 The Warriors on the road played their second road game of the young season after beating the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center 122-114 last Friday night. They got road win number two.

#5 The Warriors continue on the road next traveling to Smoothie King Center to take on Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM PT.

Barbara Mason does the Golden State Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Fox leads Kings with 41 points in 132-127 win over Lakers

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The Sacramento Kings center JaVale McGee (00) slam dunks on the Los Angeles Lakers forward LaBron James (23) at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Oct 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Sunday night in Sacramento. The Kings last played on Friday night in the home opener against Golden State Warriors. The Warriors came into Golden One Center and spoiled the home opener for the Kings. The Warriors beat the Kings 122-114. On Sunday, the Kings welcomed the LA Lakers to Golden One Center. The Kings (1-1) were set to take on the Lakers (1-1) at 7 PM PST in Sacramento. Sacramento bested the Lakers on Sunday 132-127.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a hot start. The Kings played really well in the first quarter en route to building a sizeable 13-point lead by the quarter’s conclusion. The Kings offense, led by De’Aaron Fox, scored 41 points in the first quarter of the game. Fox scored ten points in the quarter as Domas Sobonis added seven points. The Lakers scored 28 points in the quarter. The Kings would look to keep up the intensity in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings lead slowly evaporated. The Kings shots were not falling at the same rate as the first quarter. The Kings 13 point lead going into the quarter was cut down to five points. However, the Kings were able to build the lead back up to 11 by the end of the quarter thanks to a Fox three-pointer.

You could see as the quarter progressed that Mike Brown was visibly getting more frustrated on the sideline. I’m sure he had words with the team and the inconsistency in the second quarter at halftime. The Kings led at halftime 66-55.

In the third quarter, the Kings again lost their cushion early in the quarter. The Lakers stormed back to come within a point of the lead. How did the Kings respond?

The Kings battled but could not build the lead back up by the end of the quarter. The Kings were outscored by the Lakers 28-21 in the third quarter to cut the lead going into the final 12 minutes to 87-83. The game would come down to the final quarter and if the Kings could bear down on defense.

In the final quarter, the Kings continued to falter. The Lakers kept the pressure on the Kings. The Lakers had built themselves a five-point lead just a few minutes in the fourth quarter. Fox had a scare on a no-call foul while driving to the basket.

Fox was taken to the locker room for a quick evaluation of the ankle and later returned to a standing ovation. The Kings would battle and the game would come down to a last few shots. Unfortunately for the Kings, Keegan Murray missed a game winning three to send the game to overtime at 115-115.

In overtime, the Kings were down Sobonis who fouled out and Fox was playing but hobbling. However, Fox would come out after just a couple plays into overtime. The Kings would come out victorious in overtime winning the game.

The scored 17 points in the period compared to the Lakers 12. Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk both hit big shots down the stretch to seal the deal. Fox finished the game leading the Kings with 37 points. Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers with 30.

Up Next: The Kings will travel to San Francisco to take on the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at 7 PM PST.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Durant says his number 35 should be retired; How big of a mistake was it to let Durant get away?

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Former Golden State Warrior Kevin Durant says his No. 35 jersey should be retired and hoisted in the rafters at Chase Center after what he did for the team in his short three years in San Francisco. (SF Gate file photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob said that no other player will ever wear No.35 again after Kevin Durant left Golden State for the New Jersey Nets in Nov 2019.

#2 Durant agreed with Lacob and said his No.35 should be retired. Durant was part of the Warriors for three seasons but was the key player on the team during those seasons and was part of back to back World Championships for Golden State.

#3 You might remember the bench argument between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. The argument went from the bench and spilled over into the locker room back on Nov 18, 2018. Green yelled at Durant to sign his contract or get off the team on the Warriors bench. Durant’s contract was going to expire after the 2018-19 season. Some fans at the time thought that should be the last straw for Green and the Warriors should have traded him for such a high profile outburst and at Durant the team’s star player. It was Durant who later left for New Jersey.

#4 Durant had 18 points for the Phoenix Suns against his old Golden State teammates Tuesday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. Durant played a key part in the Suns 108-104 defeat over the Warriors.

#5 Jerry, it’s Mike Brown and the Sacramento Kings hosting the Warriors at Golden 1 Credit Union Arena in Sacramento on Fri Oct 27th. The Kings battled Golden State last season in the playoffs but were eliminated by Golden State. How do you see these two teams on Tuesday night matching up?

Join Jerry for the Warriors podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings defeat Jazz 130-114 in Salt Lake City

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Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By Mary Anne

The Sacramento Kings took on the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. The Kings defeated the Jazz 130-114 at Delta Center. Sacramento improved to 1-0, while Utah fell to 1-0 to open the 2023-24 NBA season.

Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 33 points and four rebounds and was 11-for-16 from the field goal line. Domantas Sabonis recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds. De’Aaron Fox scored 18 points and six assists. Mailk Monk added ten points and seven assists.

The Kings’ starting lineup featured De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. Fox got his first bucket of the season early in the first quarter. In addition, Sabonis capitalized on a three-pointer opportunity in the first. The Kings ended the first on a 12-4 run and led 32-24 over the Jazz.

The Kings continued to succeed in the second quarter. Chris Duarte made his first regular season bucket, Harrison Barnes poured in the points, and Sacramento went back-to-back from three-point land.

The Kings led the Jazz 72-58 at the end of the first half. Harrison Barnes had 27 points and four rebounds and 10-for-11 from the field goal line and 5-for-5 from the three-point line — the most points in a first half in the opening game of the season by a Kings player since the 1996-97 NBA season, passing Kevin Martin, who had 24 at the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 28, 2009.

The Kings reached the 100-point plateau in the third quarter. Malik Monk’s noteworthy dunk helped the Kings to a 20-point lead, 102-82, with 40 seconds left in the third. The Kings led the Jazz 105-87 after three quarters.

The Kings maintained composure in the fourth quarter. Domantas Sabonis waited patiently around three Jazz defenders to shoot his shot, which hit the rim, late in the fourth. The Kings beat the Jazz 130-114.

Notes
Kings’ injury update
Chris Duarte (left knee) is available, while Trey Lyles (left calf strain) and Jalen Slawson (illness) are out.

Up Next
The Kings will return home to host the Golden State Warriors on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. Pacific.