Evans also gave up the game-winning three to Lawson by playing for the drive. With the shot clock winding down, Lawson broke off the play — a high screen — to fire up the jumper, and Evans was flat on his feet the whole time. Evans was good overall, and pretty close to unstoppable off of the bounce. But he continues to struggle to make sure he's moving the ball if penetration isn't available. He did correct the problem on two late plays, but those resulted in missed jumpers by Salmons and Evans himself.

Salmons — the aforementioned season-long goat — was unnervingly good. He scored 14 points on 5-8 shooting, and played point guard primarily. He finished with five assists to show for his work, and seemed forced to do something, which was a nice change from his existence as a starter this season. So that's where we are now: the opening night starting point guard is the starting small forward, and the opening night starting small forward is the backup point guard. Basketball is weird. The Kings are weird.

Isaiah Thomas struggled with his shot (2-8), and Jimmer Fredette earned almost as many minutes as Zeke (23 vs. 17). Hassan Whiteside was FREED, with 14 minutes (!). His previous career high was 4 minutes. Dude was productive, too, with five points, seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal (and two turnovers and of course a foul and 2-5 shooting but who cares it's Hassan Whiteside, guys!).

This was a very strong, aggressive performance by a tired team in difficult circumstances. For their performance, the Kings deserve applause. But this season, there is never no lament, never a game in which heavy sighs and palm-smacked foreheads would be inappropriate. That's just the way it is.