Your 1-11 Sacramento Kings, a mere 5.5 games out of the play-in, host (and at 0-7 at home, is there a more gracious host?) the 8-5 Oklahoma City Plundered. This game is sponsored by Sutter Health, Kaiser, Dignity Health, and Dr. Nick Riviera. Let’s Kings basketball!
Who: Oklahoma City Thunder (8-5, t-8th in the West) vs. Sacramento Kings (1-11, 14th in the West)
Where: Nice Arena, Though Center (AKA Golden 1 Center), D’oh!-Co, Sacramento, CA
When: 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET / Parsley, Sage, Rosemary Simon & Garfunkel Thyme
Looking for any shred of optimism? Prior to the Thunder posting their three seasons of 57-68-64 wins, with three trips to the Western Conference Finals and one NBA championship, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander endured losing seasons of 22-50, 24-58 and 40-42. Hang in there, Darius Acuff!
Want to counter that with sobering realism? The Kings are on a pace to win seven games, and the crynamic duo of Vivek Ranadive and Scott Perry are not Sam Presti.
As it pertains to this evening’s contest, the Kings are hoping to bring the beam out of mothballs for the first time at home since April 10, 2026, when they were led to victory by Devin Carter’s 29 points. As of this writing, Keegan Murray (illness) and Precious Achiuwa (ankle) are both game time decisions, while Maxime Raynaud remains out due to his knee injury. The Kings are also without Ben Simmons (Achilles).
The Thunder. Oy vey, the Thunder. They are without Jalen Williams (ankle/leg), Chet Holmgren (knee), and Cason Wallace (shoulder), and Jaylin Williams (back). Ajay Mitchell (ankle) is a game time decision. The Thunder are also without Thomas Sorber (knee). Jal. Williams, Holmgren, Wallace, and Mitchell were 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th for the Thunder last season in minutes per game, and Luguentz Dort is no longer with the team, meaning that after SGA, the next five core players are gone (noting that Mitchell has been available for eight of their eleven games). The Thunder are basically 5-5 without Williams, Holmgren, and Wallace.
Nique Clifford revenge game: Former King alert! Nique, recently traded to the Thunder for a pair of future 2nd round picks, has seen his minutes (Small Sample Size Institute approved) increase from 6.3 per game to 15.7 per game.
Is it bench or stench? As Kings fans well know, bench contributions have been sporadic, and times, invisible. The Thunder’s bench, meanwhile, were a collective 3-24 two nights ago, losing 113-112 to the Clippers in LA.
Can Darius Acuff fill 10k seats? The Kings currently rank 29th in NBA attendance. There are huge chunks of each game that are virtually unwatchable. Those brave souls that are watching are likely doing so because of (3rd) the tragicomedy of it all, (2nd) the inadvertent shots of Vivek sitting alone, arms crossed, and (1st) Darius Acuff. Looking for a place to stretch out? Try Golden 1 Center!
And because you’re Kings fans, you deserve a break. So, without further ado, a word from Jerry Reynolds:
“Very interesting game tonight between two teams on losing streaks. Thunder on a 3-game slide and our Kings on – well, you know. Looking forward to how our star rookie responds to OKC defensive schemes and will SGA actually faces defensive schemes! Also, hope Nique plays well in a losing effort.”
OK, this is where I have to lie to you and make like the Kings have a chance. Read this in voice of Jon Lovitz’s Tommy Flanagan (Google it, kids). Nique Clifford and Emanuel Sharp pull off their own Steph Curry vs. Omri Casspi 3-point shootout. Kings wind up with the last possession, LaVine pulls the trigger, the ball rims out, caroms off of Cardwell’s forehead and in for the buzzer beater. Kings 103, Thunder 102.
Nique Clifford revenge game incoming…
I would actually very much enjoy that.
Yup. The more egg on the FO’s/ownership’s face, the better.
Here’s a chance to see former King Nique—
His future’s no longer so bleak.
How hard did he pray
For Sam Presti to prey?
Just more damage for Perry to wreak!
+1 Who’s actually available to play from either team?
Badge Legend