It was a game ripe for revenge, as two recently named All-Stars, who were traded for each other last year, led their teams into battle.The leader of lions? Domantas Sabonis. The pilot of pacers? Tyrese Haliburton. As snubbed All-Star, De’Aaron Fox, had personal and more important duties to attend to (*crossing fingers for Baby Reign announcement soon*), the Kings looked to be guided by the light of their bright, shining, three-time All-Star in Sabonis. And in his first return back to Indiana since being traded, Sabonis looked right back to his legion for support in securing his “revenge game” victory. Let’s see how they did:
Quick Stats
Outcome: Kings lose, 104-107
Sacramento Kings: 104 pts, 43.0% fg, 34.2% 3 pt, 85.0% ft, 24 ast, 49 reb, 20 to
Indiana Pacers: 107 pts, 44.9% fg, 41.5% 3 pt, 71.4% ft, 28 ast, 47 reb, 18 to
In an ironic turn of events, it could be argued that Buddy Hield was the one to walk away with the sweet taste of revenge. In a game curated to the chaos that he tends to thrive in, Buddy led the Pacers with 21 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Domantas Sabonis had 15 points and 16 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton finished with 10 point and nine assists. The Kings suffered from three very disjointed quarters before finding some rhythm in the final stretch, but it was all too little, too late. Oh, well, revenge is for nerds anyways.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
The Good
- Bench Fight: Things got pretty ugly by the 3rd quarter, where the Kings trailed by as much as 17 points. Unable to find any offensive rhythm, the Kings were searching everywhere on their bench for some kind of consistent production. They finally found a run in Malik Monk and Terence Davis in the 3rd quarter, as they put together some quick defensive stops and aggressively pushed the ball down the floor. Monk and Davis combined for 27 points off the bench and were the catalyst of the Kings’ near comeback.
- Big Boy Lineup: Without De’Aaron Fox, Mike Brown was forced to try a lot of new things tonight. Once Malik Monk and Terence Davis started the run, Coach Brown found some success next in going big. Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes, Trey Lyles, and Domantas Sabonis used their size on defense to contest shots and secure rebounds. Huerter (16 points) stepped up in both playmaking and play finishing duties as he started the offense and completed multiple sequences with drives and floaters.
The Bad
- Shallow Shooting: Much of the Kings struggles early on came from a lack of effective spacing and ball movement. Many sequences ended in missed 3-point looks from Davion Mitchell and Chimezie Metu, both who were often intentionally left open on the perimeter by the Pacers. The Pacers’ willingness to sag off on the perimeter clogged things up and the Kings weren’t able to take advantage. To add salt to this wound, the Kings cold shooting on the road continued as their usual 3-point threats still weren’t hitting consistently. The Kings shot a total 13-38 from deep.
- Turnovers: In any game of basketball, 20 turnovers is going to hurt you. In a game where you lose by three points, they sting like hell. Early on, the Kings committed turnovers from what looked like a tendency of being too unselfish. They constantly tried to make that one extra pass that got tipped or outright stolen and the Pacers were quickly advancing the other way. Later in the game, the Kings suffered from turnovers from trying to force things. In both cases, the Kings suffered from slow decision making, something that their high paced offense relies on to be successful.
The Ugly
- Unfilled Shoes: De’Aaron Fox undoubtedly has tremendous shoes to fill. I don’t think anyone was expecting Davion Mitchell or Matthew Dellavedova to completely fill them, but they essentially left them empty. In a total of 31 minutes, they combined for three points and one assist on 1-7 from the field.
The King of Kings
Harrison Barnes was the most consistent offensive threat tonight as he led the Kings with 23 points on 3-5 from the 3-point line and 6-7 from the stripe. On all levels, Barnes was aggressive and looking to attack. Here’s my favorite play of his, where I’m pretty sure I could hear his yell back in Sacramento:
HB PUT HIM ON A POSTER 😱 pic.twitter.com/2qvRFD4Q5G
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 4, 2023
Operation: MCNAIR – Season 2 Watch
Tonight’s chosen charity is the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. Donate if you are able and be sure to notify Will via Twitter (@WillofThaPeople) or e-mail ([email protected]) so he can continue to track donation totals.
Up Next
Sunday, February 5th @ New Orleans Pelicans – 4:00 P.M. (PT)
Davion had himself an “off-night”. He would get to the rim and not even look like he was going to lay it up at all. Reminded me of those Rondo plays where he was just hunting for an assist.
Maybe his size to finish at the rim isn’t quite there? Just reluctant? Idk, but he looked kinda lost on offense.
He’s always had this issue, I think his lack of size, creativity and athleticism give him troubles in the paint.
I guess this settles the who won the trade debate. 😁
Nobody, given how ugly the game was played at times
I thought that with Fox out they would all step up. Just the opposite. I think we have all know how important Fox is to this team. If he played I have no doubt we won that game. All he had to do was score 4 and we won. No leadership out there. Our two point guards last night scored a total of 3 points. Pathetic. Davion can play defense but what about a little offense. Non existent. Murray seemed lost last night. He doesn’t want to bring the ball down the court. Kept passing it off. In reference to Fox being out. He needed to be where he was. Family is more important than a basketball game. Saying that I hope he can get back we need him. Somebody on the Kings needs to step up. Not one but all. Are we now going to lose every game because Fox is absent. Heaven forbid he gets hurt. If the team can’t then there goes the playoffs. They better get together and figure out how to win without Fox.
Who won?
How many times has this team lost to the opposing team coming off playing a SEGABABA?!? At times it looked like the kings were the ones that were gassed. So frustrating!
I believe they’ve lost every time.
WE HAVE A NEW CURSE!!!
Thank you lord….. I was so tired of talking about that other shit. SEGABABA makes me tired.
The curse is real.
They certainly have failed to take advantage of these games given to them by the scheduling gods. They get another shot on Sunday with the Pels playing the 2nd game of a back to back.
They seem to play down to their competition almost every time. Better start figuring it out or all of us that have lawns will be moving them during the playoffs.
I don’t mind Murray not making his shots…
but mind that he is not crashing the offensive broad………..he got 0 off. rebound…
I mean, he got the size and length to get to grab off rebound or he did tip the ball back to his teammate in some games…but I did not see that again in recent games…….
Hope he can do more on the broad…….(even if his shot is not falling)
That may not be Murray’s fault, but by design.
I think nowadays analytics say that it is better to get back and avoid transition baskets than to crash the offensive boards. Given the amount of 3s shot and long rebounds as a consequence, that makes some sense to me.
I agree.He doesn’t get enough touches.
Make the call for Delon Wright Monte!!! Lol not really but we need some upgrades at back up center and PG, plus been needing more good wings forever. Monte has done well to assemble this team with as much patience as possible even with a win now edict from Vivek. He needs to keep adding pieces though, Davion just isn’t getting it done. I hate to say this but watching Tyrese play made me wish we had traded Fox for Domas, that could have been amazing but who knows, it might not have too. I’m happy with Fox, I just love watching Tyrese pass, plus he shoots the 3 at a better % too.
Yeah…’cause Fox had no impact tonight!
Unlike Fox, Tyrese still not yet quite can create his own shots…….
Right now, we are winning games with Fox and OX
Fox has been pretty special this year too though so I’m not too irritated. If the Pacers put the right guys around Tyrese they’ll be a playoff contender every year. This is only his third year and they were like 5-6 games over .500 before he got put on the shelf.
Hali only scored 10 points last night. I don’t call that to reason for him to be in Sac instead of Fox.
Yeah, some things in life are more important than basketball. I hope De’Aaron has a healthy boy and his wife an easy delivery.
Yes absolutely
Ill give him the benefit of the doubt since It’s his first child, but some athletes still play even if they got a kid coming
Benefit of the doubt?
An NBA player plays 80 games a season? How many times can he attend the birth of his child, whether it’s his first or fifth?
I have only one son, but I am happy that I was able to be there. It’s a no-brainer, IMO.
All I’m saying is it’s fine, no one’s gonna bash him for it
I assume you aren’t a family man otherwise you would not have said that. And are you saying the fourth child is not as important as the first. Don’t get it.
PS My wife just reminded me that its the wife that’s having the baby which is just important to the family. I agree. Thank you Lynda.
Yes that’s exactly what I’m saying
I have three kids. I was present for the birth of every single one and can’t imagine anything being more important, but especially not a basketball game. I fully support athletes missing games to be with their families. My entertainment is not that important.
to add-
relatively: Game 7 NBA Finals?
I can recall the 1965 World Series when Sandy Koufax declined to participate on Yom Kippur.
We all have higher callings and higher priorities that demand the respect and understanding from others.
And Grats! To Recee and De’Aaron Fox on their Beamito!
I’m standing firm on my 3-4 road trip prediction. Pels all but certain to stop their skid on Sunday & a split in Houston.
I say we take both in Houston.
Those 20 turnovers were glaring tonight, lots of bad passes.
Lots of guys not comfortable taking shots or making plays and couldnt decide which they didn’t want to do more.
They missed De’Aaron Fox a lot more than I was hoping they would last night. Keegan 2 years from now would help the Kings win this game IMO. But he’s not there yet, and demz da breakz.
I like where this is going.
This offense just doesn’t generate the same quality of shots without Fox. It is to be expected of course, but disappointing nonetheless. Especially disappointed in Mitchell. Showed flashes last year as a score-first PG, but apparently didn’t want to score tonight
Monk essentially is the backup PG and Davion the backup SG. So they need a backup SG that can defend and hit some shots. Davion is expendable, in my opinion, for someone like Hart or Richardson (just as an example of the style of player). Solid on defense and gives at least something on offense. Taller players too, which the backcourt needs.
There have been many times this year when Davion has actively not looked for his own shot. It would be nice to see him show a willingness to shoot when open in the midrange. Opponents are able to completely ignore his existence at this point.
Gabe Vincent, local kid with Nigerian national team connections, may appeal to Monte and coach Brown. At least we get to take a flyer on Jovic.
Bringing in either of those guys, or 90% of the guys I’ve seen mentioned barely move the needle and seems like just making a trade for the sake of making a trade. This team is sitting #3 in a wide open western conference, I think you either make a big splash (my preference Fred VanVleet) or stand pat (maybe a tiny move using the trade exception, but I wouldn’t waste anything valuable to slightly upgrade the bench).
44% of our shots were 3’s. That may work on nights when you’re hitting them at a high rate, but not last night. Maybe more mid-range shots and taking it to the basket? Just a thought. And limit the turnovers.
They appeared to get in the paint but just pass it out for the open 3, which were not falling. Just tale the lay up attempt and move on.
I thought that Huerter had the right answer along with Barnes .He knew his 3 wasn’t working so he drove to the basket either taking a layup or a medium range shot. It worked. You would think others would get the clue and do the same.
That’s what Fox normally does. His spot is the elbow jumper and he’s excellent at taking it to the basket. He also takes the most shots per game by a healthy margin. Take him out of the equation and you get last night’s shot selection from the Kings.
Hot potato offense – you take it, no you take it
With Fox unavailable and when Domas and Monk were out, it reminded me of the mid-90s Kings offense when Rock Richmond took a breather.
I guess it’s safe to say the Kings aren’t better without De’Aaron Fox then, right?
5 games in 7 days beginning Sunday. Is Davion going to bring his A game?
Defense yes. Offense I doubt it.
I’m not a doubter yet
Did he bring his defense against the Pacers?
Badge Legend