The Washington Wizards were 12-21, coming into Sacramento on the second night of back-to-back. What could go wrong?
Quick Stats
Outcome: Kings lose, 125-111
Sacramento Kings: 111 pts, 44% fg, 31.3% 3 pt, 77.1% ft, 19 ast, 47 reb, 13 to
Washington Wizards: 125 pts, 55.7% fg, 31.3% 3 pt, 70.8% ft, 30 ast, 40 reb, 9 to
Unfortunately, for the second time this week, everything went wrong. The Wizards dominated the Kings, often leading by 20-30 points at any given moment. It was an embarrassing display that isn’t fully reflected in the final score. Kyle Kuzma went off for 32 points, with Bradley Beal adding 24, and Rui Hachimura adding 21 off the bench.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
THE GOOD
- De’Aaron Fox: Watching the game, it didn’t really feel like Fox had a good night. He struggled to find his shot early. And yet Fox still ended up being the second best player for the Kings tonight. He finished with 26 points on 16 shots, 8-13 from the charity stripe, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Not a perfect night, but a very solid outing in a game where the Kings didn’t have many positives.
THE BAD
- Energy and Execution: The Kings looked like a team ready for their three days off. The execution was terrible most of the game, the offense often featured multiple guys standing motionless and watching whoever had the ball. It sucked to watch after having been spoiled by good basketball for the most of this season.
- Keegan Murray: I love Keegan, but he did not have it going tonight. He went 1-8 for the night, finishing with just 3 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. He was blocked around the rim multiple times. He blew multiple defensive rotations leading to quicker-than-usual substitutions from Mike Brown. Keegan is a rookie, there are going to be tough learning games like this, but it was a bad showing from a good young player.
THE UGLY
- : Defense: Poor rotations led to an endless array of backdoor buckets for the Wizards. The Kings were discombobulated, and barely forced any turnovers until later in the game.
- The Bench: Malik Monk finished with 16 points, Trey Lyles finished with 14, Davion Mitchell had 5, Terence Davis had 2. That is the combined scoring output of 8 bench players who played a combined total of 87 minutes. And while Monk and Lyles totals look ok, most of that came with the game already well out of hand. The bench was a disaster. The Neemias Queta experiment lasted all of 4 minutes tonight. Richaun Holmes played 6 minutes and displayed all the flaws that Mike Brown has said he can’t have from a backup center.
The King of Kings
Who else could it be? Domantas Sabonis had yet another incredible night, notching his second straight triple double. Domas finished with an incredible line of 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. It was a shame watching the Kings waste another great performance from Sabonis.
In the closing minutes of the game Domas hurt his hand, when it appeared to hit Bradley Beal’s knee. He was clearly in a lot of pain. Hopefully it was nothing serious, we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
Operation M.C.N.A.I.R.
Will is going to update this in the morning with this game’s organization, he was unavailable to organize it this evening.
Up Next
Tuesday, December 27th vs Denver Nuggets, 7:00 PM PT
Hello darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk to you again
because that beam that has been brightly shining
got extinguished and there’s no silver lining
But the play-in that was planted in my brain
still remains
Within the grasp of Domas
OK, that game was a huge disappointment. Time to get over it and start looking forward to the Beam Team’s resurgence after Christmas!
♪♪ On the boards—Domas is crashin’
Down the lane—DeAaron dashin’
The Kings showing fight
A beautiful sight
Breakin’ out some Beam Team basketball
♪♪ Need a lift—Black Falcon swoopin’
Off the bench—Malik comes hoopin’
K-von and the Rook
Both startin’ to cook
Breakin’ out some Beam Team basketball
♪♪ After ev’ry win we fill up DOCO
Chanting all together, “Light the beam!”
When they flip the switch, we all go loco
‘Cause after sixteen years it’s like a dream
♪♪ Davion—out there disruptin’
Grab the lead—the crowd eruptin’
Here’s what it’s about
We’re endin’ the drought
Breakin’ out some Beam Team basketball ♪♪
Seems the defense has gotten back to last season softness. Only Domas and Davion seem to enjoy playing physical .
I have said this multiple times during this year and you all know it also. Offense wins games defense wins championships. If the Kings can’t or won;t play defense you can kiss the playoffs goodbye. Defense is a constant. You can play terrible on offense and that will happen but defense will always keep you in the game. I am a good Kings fan and it is sad to watch games like last night but if they keep playing that way it will be more than sad.
Ah, I’ve always wondered who coined the phrase “defense wins championships.” Good to know.
I am not really sure but a good guess would be John Wooden.
it wasn’t Mike D’Antoni.
That’s for sure.
2:34 Neemias Queta enters the game for Domantas Sabonis 22 22
2:34 De’Aaron Fox enters the game for Davion Mitchell
7:02 Domantas Sabonis enters the game for De’Aaron Fox 47 36
Please end the experiment of Queta / Holmes…
Just go back and play Metu and Lyles…….(Metu can catch lobs and he pretty good at defensive rebound)
With 2nd unit of Metu, Lyles, Mitchell, Monk, TD (mixed with one of Fox/Sabonis)
or try to play Alex Len…….(he just cannot be worse than Queta or Holmes)
No clue why Brown refuses to play Len
Agree- I think the Q and Richaun strategies are over.
Once Q entered, Kings floundered and never got back in the flow. That was not the only reason but one of the reasons. Terrible second quarter and end of first.
Keegan has had some good games, but he is in love with the 3. and last night, as per usual, he was stuffed at the rim multiple- at least 3 -times. and he avoided a close out, only to miss a midrange. He is just not tough or physical in the paint. The post ups work about 10% of the time, the rest he eats like an old Thanksgiving turkey. He needs to adjust
Kings get beat up with physical and East Coast teams.
Two losses now to inferior (I hope) teams.
I suspect the scouting word is out- let’s get physical to beat the Kings. Need to trade for Rick Mahorn.
I read somewhere we might be able to trade Barnes plus Mitchell and the 2027 first and 2029 first for Kuzma, Avdija and Todd. If that were to be possible I would trade Holmes and a second for Chris Boucher. You have upgraded your offense and definitely your defense especially at the big positions. The drawback would be Mitchell. Maybe a substitute we could use would be Davis.
Avdija coached by Brown has me drooling.
Kuzma played good last night, but is very inconsistent and quite overrated, though.
DO NOT WANT KUZMA. He’s an overrated scorer and poor defender who is about to opt out of his deal and wants to get paid. I take Barnes over him on this team everyday of the week. Kuzma does’ t provide anything that the Kings don’t already have.
Davion is untouchable. not trading Barnes either unless it’s for a superstar.
Nobody’s untouchable.
If Monte traded away Tyrese, you really think Davion is off limits?
I’d say yes. he’s the best defender on the team. best point guard on the team also.
I’ll agree on Kuzma but Mitchell is not the best point guard on the team. Not at an average of 5 points per game. I agree he is the best defender. I love Barnes but you have to agree he is not consistent.Murray needs a lot of work. He has he potential but lacks experience.
In what world is Davion untouchable?
in the world of winning basketball
Nobody is untouchable. Especially a back up guard that cannot score.
… and has a lower assist % than Malik Monk.
Well – here’s the thing, and we all know this but we can hope…
If you give very little, you should expect the same in return.
Richaun Holmes for instance – the guy was a workingman’s hero on a desperate Kangz squad that had little in the talent department and had poor prospects for upgrade. They signed the guy who was their starter rather than have him leave.
The rearview mirror with Mike Brown at the wheel, makes that look like a bad deal. Now you have a double digit $million multiyear deal on a guy who doesn’t fit and won’t get minutes. Why would some other team want him?
You gotta sweeten that deal or get someone else’s similar player.
Mo? Maybe so? I dunno. Why would Orlando do that deal?
Orlando will not- they have Carter, Bol, Moe Wagner as the 5 or 4/5. Mo is at the back of the line. They will not just change a 5 for a 5. To get Mo, have to do 3 team switch or something else. They may be trying to jettison salary- that’s good- use 2 second rounders.
…that too.
I think Davion is one of those players where fans of the team rate him much higher than what he is viewed as league wide. I honestly don’t think he has a ton of value as a trade asset.
unfortunately, I agree but, at the same time, he always gets around the screen.
Davion is untocuhable? Lol
Jack-
you remind me of “Trader Jack” McCloskey or “Trader Jack” McKean-two notorious trade early and often guys. Your first trade leaves the Kings down 3 first round picks
Kuzma did play well last night but if he is at the end of his deal, he scares me because while sometimes he is good, he plays no D and thinks he is far better than he really is.
Deni did not play last night. Hurt?
Kings need toughness and bulk/ Neither of these trades give them that.
While no one is untouchable (Except Domas and Fox) Kings really need to get value.
Last night + Hornets showed me just how vulnerable this team is. Yes, it appears Kangz-like, but this current team is winning on gimmick- offense that moves through Sabonis. Teams, particularly the bulky ones from the East, are figuring this out. As many have mentioned, the D is the constant and right now it its indeed inconsistent.
Unless Barnes trade results in serious upgrade, I would re-sign him.
and while I love Keegan, he needs to diversify his game. His shot at the rim is too slow and gets punched back in his face. Right now, Lyles looks better. Kings could use someone like Jaren Jackson- oh, yes passed on him for MB3.
Bah, Humbug! Disappointment drowned the holiday cheer tonight.
Yet, this team is 3 games above .500 with 51 games to go in The Regular (the only season Sacramento has seen in 16 seasons). 17-14.
Dec 19, 2021 Sacramento topped San Antonio to rise to 13-18, their 31st game.
That’s an 8 game improvement compared to last season.
I’m going to consider that a pleasing package under the Christmas Tree/Chanukah Bush/Pole (yes, it’s Festivus and a time to air your grievances. Tonight, Sacramento did not perform feats of strength).
The D was porous, the shooting lackluster, the passing and turnovers sloppy – worst of all, there is strong possibility that Domas has a significant (R) hand injury – broken bones, dislocated digits – and the Kings won’t win as much, if at all, without their MVP.
Let’s hope that the 3 day rest will bring them back around to some winning ways.
Wasted a night at the game tonight.
Fox was shit in every possible way. Sabonis was a beast as usual.
The only positive is that the new players…Sabonis, Monk, Huerter,etc…..were clearly mad about getting destroyed. At least they understood the expectation and didn’t seem to accept the ass kicking as normal.
The Kangz….Fox, Holmes, etc…didn’t give a fu@k. They were the Kangz through and through,
Exactly. I stopped reading when I saw Fox listed under “good.” He wasn’t good at all. And he was all smiles all game. Fox is not an All Star and may never be one.
Fox is having one of his better seasons so far. Realistically he does not crack the top fifteen point guards in the NBA. For the All Star game they take guards in general, not specifically point guards. Fox doesn’t crack the top 30 guards.
Fox had the best stretch of games in his career earlier this season. He was aggressive and pushing it on the offense at the right time. Then he turned back into the Fox we’re all too familiar with. I don’t think he’s capable of playing in a dominant fashion on a regular basis for an entire season. I also think he’d get less banged up if the refs actually called fouls on him but he’s also not good at drawing them.
Agree. I think Fox has one trick and that is speed. That is hard to do for an entire season because he doesn’t like to work that hard.
Fox has rightfully earned a reputation for being one the softest players in the NBA. I honestly think the refs see that and believe he is soft and whining. His previous five years put him where he is today.
Welp, I guess we really are cursed to never go more than four games over .500.
We got clobbered during the Feats of Strength.
You don’t need glasses, you’re weak!
Happy Festivus fellow Kangz’ fans.
I have some grievances to air:
Vivek, you ruined this fanchise for a decade with your nosy and entitled way of ownership. King’s fans will always dislike you even if we make the playoffs. Every beamer would relish the opportunity to fight you in the feats of strength.
MM, I have some grievances:
Sabonis is awesome, but I’d still rather have Haliburton… every NBA analyst’ position on the trade that I’ve heard has been the same.
Ivey, Benedict > Keegan
This team’s cieling is low imo due to these let’s push for the playoffs type moves instead of thinking big picture and building a contender.
Having said that, it’s been an amazinf season thus far and I’m thankful for that. Monk and KH were awesome acquisitions.
Here’s hoping the King’s finally make the playoffs in 2023.
As a thank you to all of you regular commenters, I’ve made a sizeable donation in your names to the Human Fund. It’s a great charity, please support it.
If I understand McNair he is trying to assemble a team that would get you to the playoffs this year but keep them there.This is what he said. If Vivek does not extend his contract then IMO this team is again doomed for a long time again.
Trade the guys that are clearly not being utilized or don’t fit for a back up center. Get a good back up big and this team is decent for the next couple of years.
At least the moves needed are obvious this year. For the past decade the entire roster was questionable and impossible to trade. MM has some actual ability and picked up players he can actually do something with.
Everything can happen in a playoff series………….like the lower seed beating the higher seed…
Getting into playoff is the very first priority that the team should do……
Who knows where will the team go if they get into the Playoff…maybe they can get into the Final and win the Champion…..
IMO when it comes to the playoffs the team that is hot at the time whether it’s the first seed or the eighth will win.
Yes
IMO when it comes to the playoffs the team that is hot at the time whether it’s the first seed or the eighth will win.
I wish this were the case as it would make the playoffs more entertaining, but 8th seeds have beaten 1 seeds a handful of times.
Everything can happen in a playoff series………….like the lower seed beating the higher seed…
Historically speaking, this is very rare…I’m speaking 1 or 2 seed losing to 7 or 8 seed.
Looks like I missed a bad one, the Kings just don’t have much depth or that quality of depth and aren’t good defensively. Still enjoying the season though, I’m way past whining about Haliburton, and talking crap about Kings players and Vivek. No one needs that energy, go get a hobby or something. Tough loss, just gotta bounce back, this team can.
I agree. I’m tired of hearing about the Haliburton trade. Sabonis is what we got so let it lie and start backing the Kings of today. If we didn’t have Sabonis IMO we would’t be where we are now. GO KINGS!
Jack and I agree! and we did not have to trade opinions. Hali is pretty darn good. Domas is pretty damn good.
Definitely agree. Time to realistically look at what the team has now. Sabonis is a once in a generation player.
Sabonis is a once in a generation player
Are you serious? I love Sabonis and glad we have him, but a two time All Star in year seven is a once in a generation player? Perhaps you had Jokic in your mind when you wrote that?
Once in a generation for this team.
WTF was that?
I couldn’t even comment last night. I had to put this game behind me and have a stiff drink after this one. This one was over before halftime, and it felt like everyone knew it. Two losses to two bad teams coming in off a loss on a SEGABABA in 4 days Just pathetic. Those were supposed to be scheduled wins and the Kangz reared their ugly heads
The proverbial tape is out on the Kings. Teams have figured out how to beat them by attacking the paint. Last night wasn’t about 3pt shooting, or rebounding, or FT%, or turnovers, it was points in the paint. In the last two horrible loses Kings were destroyed down low. For points in the paint the Hornets had 72 and the Wiz just dropped 70. Those are crazy numbers. You are rarely gonna win when you give those kinds of high percentage points away.
lacking a defensive backup big man is part of it, but all basketball begins on the perimeter and teams have found ways to breakdown the Kings defense. Coach Brown is gonna have his work cut out for him trying to shore up this defense, because right now he is throwing everything he can out there and it’s not working.
I hate the scheduled wins/scheduled losses talk, and it is such a Kangzy thing. Plenty of teams manage to win a SEGABABA, as we have now witnessed twice in short order. But it is very in line with Kingsmas past to believe a game is in the bag because of the schedule and the opponent’s W-L record.
Absolutely. Our D at the point of attack is autrocious. The only capable guy in that respect is Davion.
Teams below .500 playing a team above .500 on the road on the SEGABABA win roughly 15% of the time (according to a 2016 season study) The Kings just stunk up two games that historically they have and 85% chance of winning.
A 15% winning percentage is probably a tiny bit below the Kings road winning percentage of the last decade and a half.
I agree with the two above comments, What bothers me is the NBA has the best basketball players in the world bar none but can’t play defense. Fox is supposed to be the fastest player in the NBA which should make him the fastest player in the world and he can’t or won’t play defense. A lot of it is how you move your feet, not your hands, on defense. The other is how you play defense as a team. It all goes together. I just don’t understand why they can’t do this. They were taught the fundamentals when they were 8 years old up to now. It isn’t they can’t then it must be they don’t want to. Very disappointing
Fox chooses to suck at everything other than launching shots and relying on his quick first step.
Fox is Fox. Most of the team’s success this year is due to Sabonis. He’s the only player on this team that deserves an All Star nod.
right on target. Opponents have figured this out. Kings need to adjust.
Perimeter defense is slipping + need more help down low. Barnes and Keegan are 3/4’s not 4’s and Domas is not a strong one on one defender- Hence, points in the paint.
Neither Q nor RH has been the answer. Look at what that washed up Taj Gibson did last night. Kings need Rick Mahorn.
Welp.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1606743397100027905?s=20&t=4CRahPYxddzg_3lAcvtNFw
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