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Kings lose 103-87 against the Knicks

Sacramento managed to hang in for a few quarters but fell apart in the end.
By | 34 Comments | Jan 27, 2026

Jan 27, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) commits an offensive foul against Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (17) as he drives to the basket during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Kings put together an impressive three quarters on the road against the New York Knicks, but unfortunately forgot that quarters come in four and were outscored 31 to 15 in the final frame.  DeMar DeRozan led the way for the Kings with 34 points, while Domantas Sabonis had 11 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Russell Westbrook was the only other Kings player to score in double digits with 14 points, but did so on just 6 of 19 shooting.

The Kings as a team shot terribly, especially from distance where they were just 5 of 30.  The 5 makes ties a season-low, but the 16.7% was the worst on the season.  The Knicks got a big performance from Jalen Brunson who had 28 points, but the most impactful player might have been Mitchell Robinson who was a +25 in his 27 minutes of action.  Robinson’s presence on the floor was a game changer on both ends, as the Kings didn’t have good answers for his defense and rebounding.

The Kings are now 12-36 on the season with three more games left on this season-long road trip.

(Apologies for the lack of a game day thread, it was created but accidentally not published)

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Jman1949
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January 27, 2026 7:23 pm

Posted this before the game in an earlier thread, but will repost it here:

We beat them when Brunson went down.
Word is they’re not listening to Brown.
The Knicks are well-rested,
So we’ll sure be tested.
Vivek’s follies have gained wide renown!

BigDrewbot
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January 27, 2026 7:47 pm

Go tank!

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 27, 2026 8:22 pm

Russ and DDR combined for 51% of the FGA tonight as well as 51% of the 3PA. Remember, Russ and DDR are career 30% from three.

The tank is strong with them, but I still want them gone by the 5th.

MidtownMike
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January 27, 2026 8:33 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Yeah and combined like -34 lol

RPO
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RPO
January 27, 2026 8:47 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

We were told that Russ was brought here to “change the culture”…

RikSmits
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January 27, 2026 11:58 pm
Reply to  RPO

How do I say this nicely?

Russ is very measured in when and where to put in maximum effort.

Hobby916
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January 28, 2026 9:53 am
Reply to  RikSmits

comment image

Hobby916
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January 28, 2026 6:15 am

I enjoyed watching Russ do that weird pump fake thing from 3 when no defender was within 10ft. Wide open pump fakes, lol.

Jack
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January 28, 2026 6:57 am
Reply to  Hobby916

The guy sure can dribble, dribble, dribble the night away.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 28, 2026 7:41 am
Reply to  Hobby916

I’ve never seen a player take more out of rhythm threes. He’s the Chuck Hayes of the three point line.

RikSmits
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January 28, 2026 8:29 am
Reply to  Adamsite

LOL. I almost choked on my coffee.

Kfan
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January 28, 2026 8:42 am

Make some trades!

Sell the team!

Tank on!

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 28, 2026 9:17 am
Reply to  Kfan

Some trades and/or some DNP/CD for rest games need to happen asap. DDR and Russ have it in them to add a few unnecessary wins to record. The Kings can’t afford to increase their chances in falling in the draft. They really need to a lock for the top 5.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 28, 2026 9:22 am
Reply to  Adamsite

LOL, Greg is on it now that Giannis has officially unofficially asked for a trade!

Kings: “DeMar and some seconds for Giannis?”Bucks: “no. wtf”Giannis’ agent (to Shams): “they were offered a former all star and draft picks!”

Greg (@gwiss.bsky.social) 2026-01-28T17:18:16.413Z

RobHessing
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January 28, 2026 9:50 am

5-30 from deep.
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Hobby916
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January 28, 2026 9:54 am
Reply to  RobHessing

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Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
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January 28, 2026 10:06 am

The tank is happy:
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Bill2455
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January 28, 2026 12:01 pm

This is not a tank.

if it was a tank the young and unproven players would be getting more minutes.

so it’s not a tank. It’s just stank.

RobHessing
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January 28, 2026 12:15 pm
Reply to  Bill2455

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mdeedublu
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January 28, 2026 12:38 pm

I’m getting really tired of the wait. Scott Perry needs to get his act together and make the move, this is borderline malpractice. The clock is ticking, cash considerations is going to block the trade and we’ll miss out on that 2nd round pick if that trade isn’t finalized soon…..

Klam
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Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
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January 28, 2026 1:59 pm

Some stuff from Amick, hmmm.
https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/DdoU0EyJBn

Jack
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January 28, 2026 2:09 pm
Reply to  Klam

If the Raptors really want Sabonis they won’t get him trading either Poeltl or Quickley as part of the deal. My trade would be Sabonis for RJ Barrett, Colin Murray Boles and either Ochai Agbachi or Grady Dick and this years first rounder. IMO that’s a fair trade. Their first isn’t a high pick but somewhere between 18 and 22.

Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
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January 28, 2026 2:15 pm
Reply to  Jack

Given the constant depression surrounding this fanbase we need Grady on this team for the jokes alone. “Kings win, Dick lights the beam”

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 28, 2026 2:26 pm

Then we’ll get to use this gif for every win. Worth it.

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InigoMontoya
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January 28, 2026 3:15 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Keon traded to Raps for Dick, so that Perry can troll us.
“Saboner to Dick for the assist!”

Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
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January 28, 2026 3:21 pm
Reply to  InigoMontoya

Kayte: “You see Kyle, the fans just don’t know what Dick brings to the table.”

Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
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January 28, 2026 3:22 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I’m already dreaming of the Kings Herald MERCHANDISING!

UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 28, 2026 3:31 pm

Forget the cowbell… bring me more Dick

Kfan
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January 28, 2026 3:48 pm

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UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 28, 2026 4:28 pm
Reply to  Kfan

Nice! Kfan going full Diggler.

Kfan
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January 28, 2026 3:49 pm

Could help the tank too

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Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 28, 2026 2:22 pm
Reply to  Klam

I’m not incredibly high on anything Toronto is offering unless they are sending picks. Barrett is just a younger version of DDR, IMO. He’s not a great floor spreader, not a plus defender, and a bit of a black hole on offense.

Like I’ve said a number of times, I really hope the Kings don’t eat the contracts of Quickley and Poeltl unless they come with multipel picks and/or a prospect like Murray-Boyles.

My at the moment butt-pulled proposal, with no picks: Sabonis, DDR, Russ for Barrett, Quickly, Murray-Boyles. If they say no, swap out Keon for Russ…but then release Russ after the deadline.

Lineup:
Quickley, Dennis
LaVine, Monk
Barrett, Nique
Keegan, Murray-Boyles
Cardwell, Maxime

If they want the Kings to eat Peoltl’s deal as well, they need to send a pick and eat Monk’s deal.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 28, 2026 4:01 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Sabonis and Devin Carter = Poetl and RJB to the dollar. Add in this year’s unconditional FRP (20+ region presently) and I think you do that deal.

Why? It’s a start in the dismantling of this current squad. It only works if you can also trade off at least one of DeRozan and/or Lavine. There is talk of Lavine to Bucks for Portis and Kuzma (it will happen, it has to happen) but I can’t get it work even then (those two add up to only $35.8M to Zach’s $47M) so a third team has to be involved which makes it both more complicated and more unlikely.

Spitballing: What does work….?
Ja Morant + Brandon Clarke < > Zach Lavine + Dario Saric which has Grizzlies pick up less than $1M in salary. Personally, I am for this, even though I don’t like the behavior of Morant, he could contribute more than what we get from Lavine at the present time, which is pretty much nothing. There may not be draft capital but player to player, Sac is ahead. I believe Grizz think they can get more for Ja… but I do not.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 28, 2026 4:15 pm

Yeah, I’d only agree to RJB, Poeltl, Quickley packages if I can also move off of another long term deal. DDR, Monk, LaVine, etc need to go if I’m adding more long term salary in RJB, Poeltl, Quickely, etc.

The fact is, Sabonis is the best player in the deal, so the Raps need to take more of a hit. They are the buyers.

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