San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) hit a season high of 28 points against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Sun Nov 16, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 Former Sacramento King and current San Antonio Spur De’Aaron Fox scored a season high 28 points with 11 assists against his old teammates in a 123-110 win.
#2 The Spurs pulled it off without the help of Victor Wembanyama who missed his first game of the 2025-26 season with a calf injury.
#3 It was a game of former Kings players haunted their old teammates one of them the Spurs Harrison Barnes scored 20 points and Devin Vassell scored 16 points and the Kings were the cure for the Spurs as San Antonio snapped their two game losing streak.
#4 Things continue to be rough for the Kings as they have now lost six games in a row and still can’t figure out how to get out of this funk as they drop their overall record to 3-11.
#5 The try once again to snap out of this long losing streak this time against the Oklahoma City Thunder at OKC. The Thunder no doubt the hottest team in the NBA with a 13-1 record with a five game win streak. The Kings with a six game losing streak and will have their hands full who face one of the NBA’s toughest this Wed Nov 19th at PayCom Center.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives on the San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Sun Nov 16, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The Sacramento Kings (3-11) trailed the entire game in their sixth straight loss falling to the San Antonio Spurs (9-4) 123-110. It was more of the same, falling behind early sprinkled with some questionable defense and some poor offense.
DeMar DeRozan had the game high with 27 points and Domantas Sabonis recorded another double double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Dennis Schroeder was spectacular off the bench with 22 points and six rebounds.
They were the good news in yet another loss for the team. It is just a matter of time before we see some long overdue changes as re-building seems to be the only option for the team. It is still early in the season but nothing seems to change for this current lineup and keeping them in place doesn’t seem a wise option. Whether these changes come sooner or later, they are coming.
Game recap: As the first quarter got underway both Domantas Sabonis and Precious Achiuwa both were in the line up despite being doubtful before the start of the game.
As has been the case far too often, the Kings trailed after the first 12 minutes of play. The Spurs had a 36-24 lead going into the second quarter. Sacramento started to turn things around outscoring the Spurs in the second quarter 35-31. San Antonio took a 67-59 lead into the locker room at the half.
As the third quarter got underway the Spurs continued to extend their lead and had actually led by 19 points in the quarter. As the quarter wore down the Kings had trimmed the San Antonio lead trailing by ten points going into the fourth quarter which has proven to be their achilles heel all season.
Unlike their last game, DeMar DeRozan was having a great game but Zach LaVine was having another slow start. Dennis Schroeder was solid off the bench and this game was still within reach with San Antonio leading 95-85 after three quarters but it was critical for Sacramento to start strong in the final quarter of the game.
Unfortunately for the Kings, they did not start the quarter strong instead they gave up two quick baskets, a De’Aaron Fox three-pointer followed by another Fox 18-foot jump-shot increasing their lead to 100-85 .
Sacramento rallied five minutes into the quarter cutting the Spur’s lead to single digits 105-98 but that’s where it all stalled out. San Antonio closed the game out winning by the score of 123-107 and Sacramento had increased their losing streak to six.
Domantas Sabonis recorded another double double in the game with 17 points and 13 rebounds. DeMar DeRosan had a terrific game scoring 27 points with four assists. Zach LaVine never came around and finished with eight points, two rebounds and three assists.
Russell Westbrook was solid with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists a great effort. Dennis Schroeder had a sound performance off the bench finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. Malik Monk also had a worthy effort scoring 16 points.
Fox finished the game with 28 points, the game high. Luke Kornet had a double double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Harrison Barnes also had a terrific game for the Spurs with 20 points. The San Antonio bench scored a combined 42 points in the game the same number that the Kings bench scored.
Game notes: Sunday afternoon the Kings once again suffered another loss this time against the Spurs Sunday. The Kings lost to the Timberwolves Friday via another disastrous fourth quarter meltdown.
The Kings kept pace with Minnesota through three quarters but fell apart in the final quarter of the game. Struggles abound for the team. They have the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league as well as the sixth-worst offense.
The Kings consistently fall behind early and faces having to fight from behind. This trend continues game after game along with the fourth quarter woes. They can’t string together stops and continue to give up high scoring quarters giving opponents a huge edge.
They had three good quarters recently against the Nuggets and the Timberwolves but ugly starts in the fourth quarter of those games signaled the end. Unfortunately it’s not one player who is struggling defensively, the hard truth is that it’s the entire team and they do it game in and game out.
The Spurs come into this game without their superstar Victor Wembanyama who missed the game with calf tightness. This could have been a huge break for the Kings but will they couldn’t take advantage. They had to face former teammate DeAaron Fox who scored 28 points against his former teammates.
The Kings loss now puts them on a six-game losing streak and they need to find a way to get back in the win column. The Kings Domantas Sabonis was listed as questionable but ended up playing with a left ribcage contusion and Precious Achiuwa played the game.
The Kings will now travel to Oklahoma City jumping from the frying pan into the fire as they take on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder on Wednesday night November 19th as this brutal schedule continues. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 PM.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis is disappointed after missing a shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sat Nov 15, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:
#1 How will De’Aaron Fox look to exploit the Spurs’ perimeter defense, particularly in pick-and-roll situations against Victor Wembanyama’s length?
#2 Can Domantas Sabonis control the paint against San Antonio’s frontcourt, and how might his playmaking from the high post disrupt the Spurs’ defensive schemes?
#3 Will Keegan Murray’s absence especially his perimeter shooting and can be a decisive factor in stretching the Spurs’ defense?
#4 How important will Malik Monk’s bench scoring and creativity be in matching San Antonio’s second-unit production?
#5 The Kings bring a five game losing streak into San Antonio can they get a quick fix and get the current skid deep sixed and pick up a win against the Spurs?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (17) looks for someone to throw the ball to as he is pursued by the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) in the second half of the NBA Cup at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Fri Nov 14, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Throughout three quarters the game between the Sacramento Kings (3-10) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-4) was a wild ride with the Kings trailing by a single point after three. In the early minutes of the fourth quarter we saw what has become the Kings inability to close out games.
After three minutes of play the Timberwolves took a nine-point lead 103-94. The final was 124-110. The Kings can hang with the best in the league but they just cannot finish. While it was a far better effort then Wednesday’s game it is still another loss dropping the team to a discouraging 3-10 season record.
Domantas Sabonis had the high for the Kings with 34 points and Zach LaVine had a solid second half finishing with 25 points. The changes that Head Coach Doug Christie had alluded too could be eminent.
Game recap: Going into the first quarter both Sabonis and Malik Monk took the court. After the first 12 minutes of play the Kings were keeping pace with the Timberwolves but trailed 35-30.
Sacramento kept at it outscoring the Timberwolves in the second quarter 31-26 and going into the locker room at the half, this game was tied at 61. Sabonis took Head Coach Doug Christie’s words to heart scoring 24 points in the first half.
Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan were stagnant with Westbrook coming away empty and DeRozan scoring only two points. Sacramento was hitting 50% of their three-point attempts which were instrumental in a game so very close.
Both teams were terrible from the line with the Kings shooting at 56% and the Timberwolves not much better with 63%. The Timberwolves largest lead of the half was 11 points which the Kings were able to erase going into the third quarter with the game tied at 61.
Going into the third quarter the question remained; with the exception of Sabonis could these starters get their rears into gear. Could they play the brand of basketball that we know they are capable of.
The Kings got off to a good start in the third taking a 74-69 lead early. They have been struggling all season closing out games but this game looked different as they continued to extend their lead with as much as a seven-point lead.
Time would tell if Coach Christie’s harsh words resonated in any way. They certainly had for Sabonis and would any of the other starters follow suit. The first half indicated that they did but they had a long way to go in this game.
The Kings had a five point lead going into the final five minutes of the third but let the Timberwolves back on top with three minutes left in the quarter 88-84. The third quarter closed out with the Timberwolves clinging to a one-point lead 92-91.
Could the Kings dig deep and close out the fourth quarter? Going into the final quarter this game was up for grabs and Sacramento had a great opportunity to prove themselves.
Early in the fourth quarter this game was tied at 94. It all came to an end three minutes into the quarter when Minnesota took a 103-94 lead prompting a Sacramento time-out. Was history repeating itself or could the Kings right the ship? The reality in this game was yet another fourth quarter meltdown by Sacramento. The final was 124-110, the Kings season record dropping to a dismal 3-10.
The Kings hung with the Timberwolves through three quarters but as seen in the past could not close the game out. Sabonis had the game high with 34 points and 11 rebounds another double double. Zach LaVine finished with 25 points but DeRozan was very quiet finishing with six points. Despite playing for 16 minutes Malik Monk could have been hampered by his sore ankle not scoring at all with only one rebound.
Every Minnesota starter finished the game with double digits. Anthony Edwards had his team high with 30 points. Julius Randle had a double double with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Donte Divincenzo had a solid game turning in 20 points and 6 rebounds.
Game notes: Friday night the Kings took another tough loss and their loss streak hit five games. While it is still early in the season there is steep trouble for the Kings and Head Coach Doug Christie is livid as evidenced by a profanity-laden postgame press conference after a drubbing by the Atlanta Hawks 133-100 Wednesday night.
The Hawks were without ace Trae Young and as it turned out they didn’t need him to come away with the win. Christie called that game shameful Keon Ellis had the team high off the bench with 20 points in that game but the starting lineup was abysmal at best.
Domantas Sabonis and Russell Westbrook barely cracked double digits and DeMar DeRozan finished the game with four points. The starters collectively had 45 points while the bench finished with 55 points. While Ellis has been overlooked at times which is puzzling considering the great defense he provides and he has proven to be a strong offensive player.
Much of what Christie said to the team cannot be put into print but suffice to say he was far from pleased. One could not blame him for his colorful rhetoric considering the play the Kings saw against the Hawks. He also said he would not be looking at the tape, seeing it live once was more than enough for him.
Many of the fans began to exit the building when the team was trailing by 37 points going into the fourth quarter. The team was booed off the floor at game’s end. Christie also hinted that there were big changes coming for the team and that the front office was completely on board with those changes. “We’re going to find people who want to compete period,” Christie said.
The Kings have faced the most difficult schedule in the NBA and Friday night they will face yet another tough game. The Sacramento locker room is not a happy place right now and has not been since the start of the season.
The Kings have a lot of talented players who are growing more and more frustrated. Going into Friday’s game both Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk were both listed on the injury list. Sabonis is struggling with a left ribcage contusion and Monk is also questionable with left ankle soreness. They are game-time decisions.
The Kings will continue on the road; they’re next stop in San Antonio for a matchup with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for Sunday November 16 at 1:00 PM.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie says change is coming for the struggling Kings after Wed Nov 12, 2025 game against the Atlanta Hawks at Golden One Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 How will Zach LaVine’s scoring ability impact Sacramento’s offense against Minnesota’s defence, and can he create enough opportunities for his teammates like Domantas Sabonis inside the paint?
#2 With Russell Westbrook now in Sacramento’s back-court, how might his play-making and veteran presence change the tempo and ball movement for the Kings in this game?
#3Given that DeMar DeRozan remains a focal scoring option for the Kings, how well will Minnesota’s bigs (such as Rudy Gobert) defend him one-on-one, and what adjustments might Sacramento make?
#4How will the absence (or limited availability) of Keegan Murray affect Sacramento’s front-court depth and how might Minnesota exploit that in terms of rebounding and second-chance points?
#5 Can role players like Keon Ellis or Malik Monk provide enough shooting threat to relieve pressure from LaVine and DeRozan, and how will their performance influence the pace of the game?
#6 Head coach Doug Christie says change is coming. Could a statement like that lose the players and the locker room?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Golden 1 Center on November 12, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings, staring down the barrel of a 1-4 homestand on the second night of a back-to-back, were blown out by the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, 133-100.
In the first quarter, the Hawks punched first, jumping out to an 18-8 lead at the 7:37 mark as the Kings defense struggled with the Hawks’ scheme. However, the bench unit for the Kings came in and played really well to get the Kings back in the game, as they were only outscored by the Hawks 37-34. Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schröder led the Kings with eight points apiece in the first, as the Hawks were led by eight points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
In the second quarter, it was all Hawks. The Kings were blown off the court in the second quarter as the Hawks outscored them 29-12 in what was an abysmal performance from the Kings. The Hawks took a 66-46 lead into halftime as they shot 55% from the field. On the other hand, the Kings shot 39% in the first half and didn’t get a sufficient defensive performance either, as they entered another halftime down 20 points. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks in first-half scoring with 18 points as Keon Ellis led the Kings, scoring nine points in the first half.
In the third quarter, it was more of the same for the Kings. The Kings looked like a G League team to start the third quarter and let the Hawks outscore them 39-22. The Kings buried themselves in a 105-68 deficit heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, the Kings had all but mailed it in. The Kings went to the bench for the majority of the quarter and waved the white flag. The Kings outscored the Hawks 32-28 in the final quarter, but it proved meaningless as the Kings fell 133-100 to the Hawks.
It’s hard to analyze games like this. There’s really nothing to diagnose. The Kings were embarrassed, and on their home court no less.
Doug Christie summed it up well after the game, saying, “You are not going to represent the Sacramento Kings that way. Not while I’m here. Put on a jersey, represent it properly… I’m f—ing embarrassed. Period.”
It was a raw and accountable Doug Christie after the game. That’s not something you see very often from head coaches in the NBA, and it was refreshing to see. However, tirades like Doug’s on Wednesday often can get you fired. We will see if Vivek, the front office, and the players can stomach the accountability.
Up Next: The Kings go on the road to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 5 p.m. PST on Friday night.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets looks to drive to the basket on Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Golden 1 Center on November 11, 2025 in Sacramento, California (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The listless Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night on national television for an 8 p.m. PST affair with the Denver Nuggets. The Kings collapsed in the fourth quarter and fell to the Nuggets 122-108 inside Golden 1 Center.
In the first quarter, the Kings’ defense fueled their offensive efforts. However, Denver still managed to put up 34 points in the first to outscore the Kings, who managed 33 points. The Kings and Nuggets both shot 53% from the field.
In the second quarter, the Kings were outscored by the Nuggets 27-22 as the offense dried up for both teams. The Kings and Nuggets weren’t making shots at the clip they were in the first quarter, as the Kings shot 47% and Denver shot 40% going into halftime. The Kings’ leading scorer was Domantas Sabonis, who had 13 points in the first half, as the Nuggets were paced by Nikola Jokic with 19 points.
Neither team went on long extended runs in the first half, as they both played enough defense to keep each other at bay.
In the third quarter, the Kings continued their solid play as they outscored the Nuggets for the first time in the game, 26-25. The Kings managed to sustain their defensive pressure on the Nuggets in the second half and were looking to get the offense going as they headed into the fourth quarter trailing 85-82.
Through three quarters, the Kings had played solid basketball and done the things they needed to stay in the game against a premier team in the Western Conference.
In the fourth quarter, the Kings struggled mightily early in the quarter, at one point being down by 17 points. The Kings battled the remainder of the game but weren’t able to claw their way back from that deficit and fell to the Nuggets 122-108. The Nuggets outscored the Kings 37-26 in the fourth quarter en route to giving the Kings their third straight loss. The Kings were led in scoring by their two centers, as Domantas Sabonis and Drew Eubanks both scored 19 points. Denver was led in scoring by Nikola Jokic, who dropped 35 points in 32 minutes of action for the Nuggets.
The Kings are mired in a pit of NBA purgatory as they are now 3-8 on the season with no light at the end of the tunnel. The Kings’ defense is atrocious as they sit at 27th in defensive rating. The Kings’ offense, supposedly the strong suit of this team, is also in bad shape as the 24th-ranked offense in the league.
However, Doug Christie seems to think he has his offense right where he wants it and the issues only come from the defensive end of the floor, saying, “It ain’t about the offense.”
Well, I’m not sure if Doug knows, but the Kings have the 24th-ranked offense and are 20th in points per game. And, as my colleague Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee pointed out on X, the lineups including Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Dennis Schroder had an offensive rating of 104.3. That’s right near the bottom of the NBA. So, the Kings have deep-rooted problems on both ends of the floor.
Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PST in what will be the second night of a back-to-back.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards gets airborne to make a floating bucket against Sacramento Kings defenders center Domantas Sabonis ( 11) and guard Demar Derozan in the first half at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Nov 9, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 How did Zach LaVine perform in terms of scoring, and did his output make a difference in stemming the Timberwolves’ surge?
#2 In what ways did DeMar DeRozan try to influence the game, and was his effort enough given Sacramento’s defensive breakdowns?
#3 What impact did Domantas Sabonis have on the boards and interior play, and how did Minnesota exploit his presence (or absence)?
#4 How did Russell Westbrook factor into the Kings’ attack — did he set the tone or struggle to find rhythm?
#5 Next up for the Sacramento Kings the Denver Nuggets at Golden One on Tue Nov 11 with a 8:00pm tip. The Nuggets are on a four game win streak and handled the Indiana Pacers 117-100 on Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. How do you see this match up with the Nuggets and Kings on Tuesday night?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Zach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 9, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO — The Kings welcomed the Minnesota Timberwolves to Sacramento on Sunday night. The Kings, mired in a slow start to the season, failed to bounce back as they fell to the Wolves 144-117 in embarrassing fashion in front of a booing Golden 1 Center crowd.
In the first quarter, the Kings shot well from the perimeter, but that was about it. The Kings shot at a 54% clip from beyond the arc but only 37% overall from the field. The Kings struggled to get downhill and finish at the rim, which led to a 31-25 Wolves lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Timberwolves shot the inverse of the Kings, as they had a 36% clip from beyond the arc and shot 57% overall from the field. Zach LaVine and Rudy Gobert got started early, scoring nine and eight points respectively to start the game.
In the second quarter, the Kings battled but couldn’t contain the Wolves. The Wolves outscored the Kings 40-29 to take a 71-54 halftime lead. The Kings’ defense failed on all fronts to stop the Wolves as they were getting contributions up and down the bench. Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and Julius Randle combined for 41 points in the first half.
Zach LaVine led all scorers as he dropped 17 first half points for the Kings. The Kings’ swiss cheese defense was letting them down again as they tried to battle against the Wolves and keep the game close going into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Wolves continued to pressure the Kings and didn’t let up. The Kings were blown off the court again in the third as they were outscored 40-30 to take a 111-84 deficit into the final 12 minutes of action. Kings fans had seen enough in the third as boos and “We want Keon” chants filled the arena.
In the fourth quarter, for the second game in a row, Keon Ellis checked in for the first time in the game to start the final quarter. However, the outcome of the game was all but decided as the Kings trailed by 27 points heading into the final frame. The Kings didn’t have much life to show in the fourth as both teams scored 33 points as the Kings lost 144-117.
The Timberwolves’ leading scorers in the game were Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, who had 26 and 21 points respectively. For the Kings, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan led the way with 26 and 22 points respectively.
After the game, Kings HC Doug Christie spoke with the media. Doug was clear about his level of frustration with this group and their lack of defensive dedication night in and night out.
“First and foremost, you got to stop somebody,” Doug said after the game. “You got to take pride in that together. This is not golf. This ain’t no individual sport. This is a team sport, a collective sport. That’s why I say collective spirit.”
Doug continued to stress that the Kings will have a defensive identity. Whether he has the players for it or not, he stressed the Kings will hang their hat on the defensive end of the game.
“The Sacramento Kings are going to have a damn standard, period. As long as I’m here, there’s going to be a standard.”
Mike Brown and now Doug Christie have both found it impossible so far to convince this Kings group, led by Domantas Sabonis, to buy into a defensive identity. The Kings require a full roster overhaul before they will truly find a defensive identity.
Up Next: The Sacramento Kings will stay home to take on the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center. The Kings and Nuggets will play in what will be the first night of a back-to-back for the Kings at 8 p.m. PST. The Kings will then take on the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PST.
Sacramento Kings Drew Eubanks is in a pickle being defended by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell second to right during the first half at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Fri Nov 7, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:
#1 It wasn’t even a close contest at Golden One Center on Friday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder (9-1) took care of business with a 30 point 132-101 win over the Sacramento Kings (3-6).
#2 Not enough offense some lapses in the outside shot and too much Thunder defense in the paint for the Kings to try and keep up.
#3 Thunder top scorers Isaiah Hartenstein with 33 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 30 points there was very little the Kings could do to stop both of them.
#4 The Kings got lots of scoring help with ten players in double figures, Russell Westbrook led with 24 points but it wasn’t enough to get the job done against OKC who dominated with a 30 point win.
#5 Up next for the Kings the Minnesota Timberwolves (5-4) Sun Nov 9th. The Wolves who picked up their fifth win of the season over the Utah Jazz (3-6) at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City rather handedly 137-97 in a 40 point win on Friday night. How do you see this match between the Jazz and Kings this Sunday?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Sports Radio Service 