Kings Edge Rockets 130-128

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) has his dunk attempt broken up by Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) while center Alperen Sengun, left, watches during the first half in Houston on Wed Feb 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Edge Rockets 130-128

By Barbara Mason

After beating the Houston Rockets 140-120 (13-42) at Toyota Center in Houston on Monday, the Sacramento Kings (31-23) were back to inflict another beatdown Wednesday night taking on the Rockets in a back-to-back. The Kings again had their complete starting roster. As it turned out there would not be a beat down in this game by either team. It would be a fight to the buzzer as the Kings edged the Rockets on Wednesday night 130-128.

The Rockets came out in the first quarter strong winning it 37-30. After losing Monday’s game in convincing fashion Houston wanted to get a quick start. The Kings won the opening quarter of Monday’s game and so the Rockets saw a much better start in this game.

The Kings made up the difference in the second quarter winning it 28-25 but still trailed 62-58 at the half. De’Aaron Fox had a great start with 12 points in the first two quarters and Domantas Sabonis came in with 11 points. The Rockets really challenged the Kings in the first half. They out rebounded them and shot 50% from beyond the arc. Sacramento was 23.5% from downtown.

The Kings took the third quarter 41-35 and led after three quarters 99-97. The Kings had a real fight on their hands in the fourth quarter. At 6:52 the Kings had managed to tie the game at 112. This game could not have been closer and with two minutes left in the game the Kings trailed 123-124. This game went down to the wire and despite trailing for much of the night, the Kings pulled this game out.

Fox finished the game with 31 points. “They had a hell of a game,” said Fox after the game. “We had an ugly game but it was good to get a road win,” he said. With 0.1 left in the game Fox shot three free throws for the win. Sabonis, Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray all shot in double digits.

The Rockets Jalen Green had an amazing game. The 20 year-old had 41 points and very nearly put this game away for Houston.

On Friday night the Kings will be back home at Golden 1 Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00

Kings Beat Rockets In First of Back-To- Back Games 140-120

Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks between Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) and Houston Rockets forward K.J. Martin, right, during the first half in Houston Mon Feb 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Beat Rockets In First of Back-To- Back Games 140-120

By Barbara Mason

Monday evening the Sacramento Kings (30-23) traveled to Houston took on the Rockets (13-41). The Kings have dropped two games in a row most recently to the Pelicans 136-104 Sunday night. The starters for the Kings had an off night in New Orleans in fact it was a horrific first half for Sacramento.

Sacramento has been without De’Aaron Fox due to personal reasons and Fox missed few games and played in Monday nights’ game and gave Sacramento a much needed lift scoring 16 points as the Kings took the first of the two game series 140-120.

The Kings got a very good start in the first quarter leading 31-24. Sacramento got a much better start in this game compared to Sunday and after the first 12 minutes were shooting at 44.1% and had also hit four shots from downtown.

The Kings really got on track in the second quarter shooting at 50% from the field and led at the half 65-48 after winning the quarter 34-24. The high in the half was turned in by Fox with 13 points.

Domantas Sabonis had 11 and Kevin Huerter had ten so the team had put the ugly loss to the Pelicans in the rearview mirror. They took care of the ball in the first half with only five turnovers.

After having a 17 point lead at the half the Kings let the Rockets back in the game. Houston had cut a 17 point deficit to six points before the Kings pushed back and led after three quarters 99-88.

Sacramento turned it on in the fourth quarter squashing the Rockets. With five minutes left in the game they led by the score of 120-99.

The high for the Kings was Keegan Murray with 30 points. Malik Monk had 20 off the bench. Sacramento went crazy from downtown shooting at 51.2% hitting 19 from beyond the arc. The Kings finished shooting 58.4% from the field.

The Kings will meet the Rockets again on Wednesday trying to best Houston in back-to-backs. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Kings get clobbered by Pelicans in New Orleans 136-104

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) shoots against Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) in the first half at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Sun Feb 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

Pelicans Punish Kings 136-104

By Barbara Mason

Sunday the Sacramento Kings (29-23) traveled to the “Big Easy” to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (28-27). Friday night the Kings lost a close game to the Pacers 107-104.

The Pelicans beat the Lakers Saturday night 131-126. The Kings are currently in third place in the Western Conference while the Pelicans have fallen to ninth place tied with the Jazz. The Kings struggled against the Pelicans and it wasn’t even close losing 136-104 on Sunday.

The Pelicans jumped all over the Kings mid-way through the opening quarter 26-12. The Pelicans held a double digit lead in the remaining minutes of the first quarter and led after the first 12 minutes 34-26. For a second game in a row De’Aaron Fox was out for personal reasons and the team did not discuss it any further. Fox has missed four games this season and the team is 1-3 without him.

The slow start for Sacramento started to turned around in the second quarter. It was the Kings bench that was keeping Sacramento in this game and the team needed Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray who had not scored a single point in the first quarter.

The Kings had pulled to within four points in the quarter but started to struggle again. The starters were not holding up their end of the deal. At the half the Pelicans led 70-52 and the Kings starting roster had collectively scored 13 points in the half. The bench had scored 37 points, almost three times more than the starters in a horrendous firs half.

In the third quarter the Pelicans continued the beat down leading the Kings 87-58 with 6:50 left in the quarter. After the first three quarters the Pelicans led 104-76. The fourth quarter was more of the same with the Pelicans winning this game 136- 104.

This is certainly a game that the Kings are looking forward to putting in their rearview mirror. Nothing was working offensively or defensively. They were 22.5% from beyond the arc and the Pelicans were hot with 54.2%. This was just one of those games that come along and you just have to get past it.

The bench worked hard in this game and collectively scored 63 points while the starters had 41 points. Malik Monk had 16 points off the bench which was the team high.

Sacramento will travel to Houston to take on the last place in the Western Conference Rockets Monday night. They are in desperate need for a confidence builder which a win would provide, Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Kings Fall Short Against Pacers 107-104

Sacramento Kings’ Kevin Huerter (9) goes to the basket against Indiana Pacers’ Buddy Hield (24) during the first half in Indianapolis on Fri Feb 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Fall Short Against Pacers 107-104

By Barbara Mason

Friday evening the Sacramento Kings (29-22) took on the Indiana Pacers (25-29) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers narrowly lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 112-111 Thursday night while the Kings are coming off a 119-109 win Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. De’Aaron Fox was ruled out in this game for personal reasons. The Kings fell short on Friday night 107-104 to the Pacers.

Game recap: The first quarter was a tight one with the Pacers coming out on top 28-27. Indiana continued to pile on the points and won the second quarter 32-21 and led at the half 60-48. The Kings just could not get this game rolling in their favor.

Sacramento had a better second half winning the third quarter 32-27 and after three quarters trailed 87-80. The Kings pulled to within four points in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. The Kings bench was heating up with Chimezie Metu, Terence Davis and Malik Monk all shooting in double digits through three quarters.

When it looked as if the Kings were rolling the Pacers began to push taking a nine point lead with nine minutes left in the game. There was still plenty of time for Sacramento but they had to contain the Pacers offense.

The Kings got to within one point 94-95 with six minutes left put just could not push it over the top. Every time the Kings made a push, the Pacers answered and Sacramento was running out of time with 2:09 left on the clock.

The Kings won the third and fourth quarters but just came up short. They missed Fox in this game but got some great shooting from their bench and starter Harrison Barnes who finished with 23 points. Domantas Sabonis had 16 rebounds and 15 points. Kevin Huerter also had double digits shooting for 16 points.

Sunday the Kings will travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Sabonis Pushes Kings Past Spurs 119-109

Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis, center, drives between San Antonio Spurs’ Jakob Poeltl (25) and Jeremy Sochan during the first half at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Wed Feb 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

Sabonis Pushes Kings Past Spurs 119-109

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (29-21) kicked off the month of February in San Antonio taking on the Spurs (14-38) at AT&T Center. The Kings are coming off a win against the Timberwolves on Monday 118-111. The Kings Domantas Sabonis led with 34 points in the 119-109 ten point win over the Spurs on Wednesday night.

The first quarter was a tight one with the Spurs ahead 31-30 in the first 12 minutes. The Kings had a slow defensive start but made up for it in the second quarter winning it 31-23. They led at the half 61-54.

The Kings only had four turnovers in the half and were shooting at 56%. Sabonis had the high for the half with 21 points. De’Aaron Fox finished the first two quarters with 15 points.

Fox typically steps it up in the second half so the Kings had a decent handle on this game going into the third quarter. Sacramento needed to start hitting more shots from downtown hitting a dismal 15% in the first half.

The third quarter was another close one with the Spurs winning it 30-28. The Kings hung onto the lead 89-84 but the Spurs refused to go away. This was anyone’s game going into the fourth quarter.

Sacramento extended their lead in the final quarter and fought off San Antonio winning the game.

Sabonis had the high score with 34 points and as expected the second half was a good one for Fox with 31 points. Malik Monk had 22 points off the bench.

Sacramento will now travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers Friday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings face struggling Gregg Popovich and Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday night

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, left, goes up to shoot while defended by Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) during the first half at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Mon Jan 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremaih:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (28-21) came away with a two game split against the Minnesota Timberwolves (27-26) on Saturday the Kings took a seven point loss but came back on Monday night with a seven point win 118-111 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

#2 Leading the way for the Kings on Monday night was leading scorer De’Aaron Fox with 32 points Trey Lyles had eight of 11 points to help carry the Kings in overtime to a win.

#3 Scoring 19 points and a big contributor was Malik Monk, Domantas Sabonis had 17 points, and 13 rebounds and fouled out of the game, and Keegan Murray had 13 points and 13 rebounds. In a all hands on deck game for the Kings.

#4 For the 2022-23 campaign the Kings topped their season high with 15 steals and 18 turnovers were converted into 21 points against Minnesota.

#5 Jeremiah the Kings are headed for San Antonio Wednesday night against the Spurs for a 5:00pm tip off at AT&T Center in San Antonio. What has happened to the Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and his team they have now lost six straight games are 14th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 14-37.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the Sacramento Kings podcast regularly heard on Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings claim OT win over Wolves 118-111

From left to right, Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13), forward Trey Lyles (41), guard De’Aaron Fox (5) and forward Harrison Barnes celebrate during overtime at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Mon Jan 30, 2023 ( AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Monday, January 30, 2023

Trey Lyles scored eight of his 11 points in overtime, De’Aaron Fox poured in 32 points, and the Sacramento Kings picked up their 12th road win of the season Monday in Minneapolis with a 118-111 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Along with Fox and Lyles, Malik Monk netted 19 points, Domantas Sabonis scored 17 points along with 13 rebounds, and Keegan Murray contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds for Sacramento (28-21), which has the third-best record in the NBA Western Conference.

The Kings had a season-high 15 steals, and converted 18 Minnesota turnovers into 21 points.

Anthony Edwards scored 33 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Timberwolves (27-26), reaching the 30-point plateau for the fifth time in the Wolves’ last six games. Edwards also committed six turnovers. Rudy Gobert had 19 points and 14 rebounds.

After Sabonis fouled out, Lyles took over at center for Sacramento, starting the overtime period with a 3-pointer before dunking on Gobert, earning a three-point play. Lyles’ slam dunk with 37.8 seconds remaining gave the Kings a five-point lead, putting the game away.

Fox hit shots to give the Kings a lead twice in the final 1:48 of the fourth quarter. He missed a fadeaway jumper as time expired in regulation. Jaden McDaniels sank a game-tying 3-pointer for the Timberwolves with 13.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

The game was tied 103-103 at the end of regulation. The Kings outscored Minnesota 15-8 in overtime

The win gave Sacramento a split of the two games in Minneapolis after losing 117-110 on Saturday.

Sacramento continues its road trip in San Antonio on Thursday.

Timberwolves Defense Tops Kings Offense 117-100

Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) sets up against the Minnesota Timberwolves center Luke Garza (55) at the Target Center in Minnesota on Sat Jan 28, 2023 (@SacramentoKings photo)

Timberwolves Defense Tops Kings Offense 117-100

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Sacramento Kings (27-21) took on the Minnesota Timberwolves (27-25) at Target Center. Minnesota is coming off a win over the Memphis Grizzlies 111-100 while the Kings lost to the Raptors 113-95 Wednesday night.

Prior to that game, the Kings beat the Grizzlies in a blow out 133-100 last Monday. The Kings after winning six straight games have no dropped their second straight game this one in the first of two back to back games against the Timberwolves 117-100 on Saturday night.

The Kings are currently in third place in the Western Conference and the Raptors are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.

The Timberwolves won the opening quarter 29-21 but the Kings came roaring back in the second quarter winning it 38-28. At the half the Kings had a slim lead 59-57.

The Raptors dominated the third quarter winning it 33-22 and led going into the fourth quarter 90-81. The Kings had made a move in the second quarter but Minnesota was the better team tonight.

De’Aaron Fox had a slow start that persisted through the first half but had picked it up in the second half finishing with 29 points. Minnesota had 19 turnovers but the Kings were unable to cash in on them. The Raptors shot at 52% while the Kings were at 45% and Sacramento really struggled from beyond the arc.

Anthony Edwards had a great game for the Raptors shooting for 34 points and D’Angelo Russell finished with 25 points. The Minnesota defense was outstanding and more than the Kings could handle in this game.

The Kings will have another go at the Timberwolves Monday night at Target. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Former Warrior Barnes spits in face of fiancee’s former husband

Former Golden State Warrior and Sacramento King Matt Barnes gets ready to let the spit fly at former Atlanta Falcon and former husband of Anasa Sims, David Patterson Jr in a push and shove at the Levi Stadium in Santa Clara parking lot on Sun Jan 22, 2023 before the NFC Divisional game (photo from TMZ Sports)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Former Golden State Warrior and Sacramento King Matt Barnes according to court documents said that the former NFL player and Atlanta Falcon David Patterson Jr had hunted Barnes down and aggressively confronted Barnes before Sunday’s NFC Divisional game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara.

Barnes said that Patterson shoved him and Barnes pushed back and said in the documents “I did not want the altercation to physically escalate further, and out of frustration with him seeking me out and his unrelenting repeated harassment I spit in his direction in disgust.”

Barnes said that Patterson Jr had been harassing him for months and after the incident Barnes had filed a restraining order. Barnes said that Patterson had shoved him in the parking lot at Levi Stadium and that he had no other recourse but to shove Patterson back to get him off him Barnes also spit in Patterson’s direction during the physical confrontation.

Witnesses who were there during scrap stepped between the two of them. The issue amongst them is regarding Patterson’s ex wife Anasa Sims who got engaged with Barnes in December. Anasa was a model and had three kids with Patterson Jr. Barnes stated that the motive for Patterson’s hunting Barnes down and being aggressive was because of jealously.

Patterson’s fiancée Melisa Andino said that Barnes is the one who is mistreating Patterson and Sims’ three kids and filed a restraining order against Barnes. Barnes in 2015 attacked former New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher because Fisher was dating Barnes ex-wife Gloira Govan.

Barnes played in the NBA between 2004-2017.and is currently co-hosting “All the smoke” on Showtime with former Warrior Stephen Jackson.

Jerry Feitelberg is a Golden State Warriors beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raptors cool off Kings 113-95

The Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (10) has possession of the ball against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 25, 2023 (USA Today photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Wednesday. January 25, 2023

The visiting Toronto Raptors used a big night from Pascal Siakam to upend the NBA Pacific-leading Sacramento Kings 113-95 Wednesday at Golden 1 Center.

Siakam scored 26 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Raptors. Precious Achiuwa was next with 19 points off the bench, Fred VanVleet scored 17 and reserve Chris Boucher had 16 points. O.G. Anunoby added 11 points for Toronto (22-27), which had lost four of their last six games prior to Wednesday.

Kevin Huerter led Sacramento (27-20) with 21 points. Keegan Murray made four 3-poiners and wound up with 16 points, as did De’Aaron Fox, who also had eight assists. Harrison Barnes added 10 points, and Trey Lyles contributed five assists.

Domantas Sabonis had nine points and eight rebounds, snapping his streak of 22 consecutive double-double games.

The Kings had won seven of their last eight games.

After taking a one-point lead in the first quarter, the Raptors outscored Sacramento 60-44 over the second and third quarters. The Kings pulled to within 12 in the fourth quarter before the Raptors pulled away.

Toronto outrebounded the Kings 41-34.

The Kings have a back-to-back series with the Timberwolves in Minnesota, starting with Saturday’s game. The two teams meet again in Minneapolis on Monday.