Update: 9:15 pm
The Sacramento Kings took down the Houston Rockets Sunday 111-98. Sacramento held Houston to 43% from the field and 23% from three.
DeMar DeRozan led the Kings again in scoring with 22 points. Russell Westbrook had 15 points and 10 assists. Malik Monk was classic spark off the bench energy with 15 points. Dylan Cardwell played well with 9 points and 11 rebounds.
The tank malfunctioned but it was a fun night for the home crowd and we need that every now and then.
From Earlier Preview:
The Kings have lost 7-straight games, the longest active losing streak in the NBA right now. And to make matters even better, the Pacers have won their last two games, meaning this sorry Sacramento Kings team is just one loss away from tying Indiana for the worst record in the league. Ain’t no stopping this tank.
Who: Sacramento Kings (8-30) vs. Houston Rockets (22-13)
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
When: 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET
Watch: NBCSCA / League Pass
There is suddenly a lot to talk about around these parts!
We’ll start with who will be notably missing tonights game against the Rockets. Dennis Schröder was suspended three games by the NBA for a confrontation with Luka Doncic back on December 28 where, allegedly, Schroder attempted to hit him in a Crypto.com Arena hallway after the two had been trash talking all game.
I’ve seen some celebrating Schroder’s actions, but I don’t know. These sorts of situations just hit different when the dudes acting tough just got their ass handed to them on the basketball court. Again. All season.
I’ll reserve some amount of judgement until all the details come out, but Schroder has been on 10 NBA teams. He already lost his starting role to a veteran minimum unrestricted free agent. The new team he was supposed to lead at point guard is 8-30. It’s been a terrible, gross, nearly unwatchable season of basketball in Sacramento. Now Schroder will miss 3 more games after missing a bunch due to injury earlier in the season, and he’ll also lose some money, which is one of the things Luka had been trolling him for during the game. I’m having a hard time viewing this as some sort of a win for Dennis.
Of course, I hate the Lakers. Luka is a very talented crybaby, and I’m not defending whatever he said, but I’m not praising Schroder’s response, either. Play some good basketball first and then maybe we’ll talk about how cool and tough it is.
Unrelated to the above, but related to my overall frustration with this organization: Rockets head coach Ime Udoka called out his team for their reliance on 37-year old Kevin Durant following Houston’s recent loss to Portland, “the fact that we have to rely on a 37-year-old for 40-plus minutes is a problem.”
And I couldn’t help but laugh after reading Udoka’s remarks. Why? DeMar DeRozan is 36. The Kings are 8-30. Doug Christie played him 35 minutes in a 34-point blowout against the Warriors on Friday night. At least Houston is relying on old veterans for the sake of winning games. Christie is trotting his out there for 35 minutes for… what exactly? I’m still trying to figure that out.
Anyway. Kings vs. Rockets tonight. Should be another loss, but stranger things have happened.
Prediction: Kings 122, Rockets 116.
Well said.
And if Dennis got angry because Luka reminded him that he declined a fat contract with the Lakers and ended up with a one year, $ 6 million contract, he should have directed that anger at himself and his agent.
Honest question – is trying to demolish Doncic the most entertaining thing that Dennis has done all season?
The Schroder situation is “whatever” but this doesn’t help that cause to move him. And I’m ok if Derozan plays 35 mins a game if the team keeps losing. Keep the tank rolling….
Let’s get under Udoka’s skin
Even if we’re unlikely to win.
Keep him looking sour—
That menacing glower.
And dump Vivek in the trash bin!
Looking at the Tankathon odds I really am hoping we have the first or second worst record, that almost guarantees us a top 5 pick which is what we need. I thought bottom 5 record would work and it will but we need to go for bottom 3 record and get a top 5 pick. I don’t even mind ignoring the Kings as I have been, following the mediocrity is worse than this tank. The team franchise value is not going to go down after a few tank seasons Vivek, just chill.
Matt George (who recently left ABC10 and rejoined 1140) says the Kings are interested in AJ Dybantsa. Tank confirmed, without being confirmed.
I would think that there are roughly 30 teams interested in AJ Dybantsa.
I don’t think the feeling is mutual.
Luka 2.0
Luka: “You should have signed that contract.”
Translation: “You play for the Kings! Bwahhh!”
Is there a TKH rule that says the Kings have to be favored in predictions? Sad that the Kings could go on a 20 game winning streak and still be below .500.
Marc Stein reports Memphis could accept a package centered around DDR, Carter, and draft capital. Incoming Ja Morant special folks!
*Why do the basketball gods hate us?
Has to be a Vivek deal,
I would not be surprised. In fact, i would be disappointed if that chap didn’t want Morant. Everything is just for the wrong reasons with that idiot.
Hard to believe that this franchise is looking at a deep and long rebuild. They entered the season thinking they were just one Schrooooder away from truly competing in the West.
Leave it to the Kangz to target yet another dude on the decline, and Ja’s is rather sharp. Nothing says Kangz like trading for a more injured and less efficient version of John Wall.
Folks, Ja hasn’t played in 6 or more consecutive consecutive games since 2023.
On the decline and inefficient? Are you saying the Grizz and Kangz have a handshake deal already? Damn you Adam for thinking it to reality.
After Saturday’s home game against Washington the Kings probably won’t be favored again until MARCH when they play the Pacers at home. This is a truly bad team deserving of tank status.
The job of the GM is to make the team better. Thanks Perry! Don’t make an imprudent move like signing D. Schroeder for three years and $45 million. Signed Schroeder but wants more size at every position. Does Perry shout when he talks or what?
It’s an indictment of Christie. Even with the shitty roster handed him, he could still be trying to develop the players that should actually be with the team long-term (that includes Keon, although that bridge is burned – I’ll be surprised if Keon is still on the team after the deadline), rather than over-playing the has-beens that are simply counting down the days till they escape from Vivek. Like every other Vivek decision, Christie is proving to be a massive failure.
In regards to Keon:
even worse, Keon declines their offer, assuming there is an offer, and he just leaves as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) for nothing. nada. bupkis.
This is what I expect.
Cardwell almost shut off the stealth tank. Tank commander LaVine, Westbrook, and DeRozan resume!
Would it kill doug to give us a glimpse of what a carter or nique/keon/murray/cardwell/max lineup does?
This makes up for the Rockets beating the Kings every time two years ago.
Did Vivek crash the tank by not allowing the Rockets to stay at his hotel?
This is a bizarro story.
Did their front office/management team forget to do Booking.com/Booking.yeah! when the schedule came out in August?
The issue was that both the Lakers and Knicks are booked at the Sawyer, and there was no room for the Rox. And yes, Houston was aware of this situation shortly after the schedule came out, at which time they determined that staying in SF was better than whatever the Sacramento 2nd choice hotel is.
The second choice hotel is the one they stayed at before the Sawyer – the Hyatt? It’s pretty nice there.
The bus trip to Sacramento must have been hellish. I-80 on a Sunday going East. Must’ve taken at least 90 minutes! They shouldn’t have expected to beat the mighty Kings on their home court after that grueling journey.
The Loop in Houston is so much smoother, faster and uncongested. (<- big time sarcasm)
I am so glad they mentioned this, it shouldn’t count as a real loss for them.
Sorry. They upset the tank and deserve the wrath of UtQ
Went to the game last night, don’t go to too many
Sure its one game but Dennis wasn’t missed
Great to see Monk, just a note to the team play the likes of Cardwell and Monk as at least they seem to enjoy the experience of playing
Westbrook plays a lot!
Can someone explain Lavine, he gets the first two buckets then he just hibernates, is it plays aren’t run for him he just sulks, he carrys himself like a sullen teenager
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