The Kings beat the Rockets on national television. Full recap to follow but let’s see those gifs!
Postgame Thread: Kings 132, Rockets 127
Light the Beam!
By Greg Wissinger | 97 Comments | Jan 16, 2025

Jan 16, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) dunks the ball against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

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Also applicable
Monk every time he steps on the court.
Nice Win!
It wasn’t pretty down the stretch but it was a win. At home. Against a top team. On national television.
I hope Keon is ok.
We may not need him against the Wizards, but I hope he can come back to keep Steph (and Kerr) frustrated when we play the Dubs.
I don’t know if many games the Rockets play are pretty. They really work to muck things up. I wonder if the league is going to catch up to them a bit in the second half. They have gotten a lotta mileage out of turning everything up to eleven all season, but they are kind of a dumb team, and don’t seem to have a real leader, or a guy like DeMar who can calmly finish games.
Pretty impressive of the Kings to put up 130 on them.
Yikes, Fox was pretty awful. Glad the rest of the starters came to play.
On the Rockets side, they remind me of an athletic AAU team who fly up and down the court but can’t really shoot. That team has a bright future.
At least all the guys made their free throws in clutch. I believe they went perfect in the 4th quarter.
And Fox’s two steals in the 4th qrtr were huge momentum swings in our favor
made his free throws at the end
I thought the same.
When the Rockets gain more experience and really learn how to play they are going to be scary.
I hope your comments made were in jest. Fox wasn’t awful he was playing team basketball. He did tonight what good basketball players do getting other players involved especially Demar. He knew who was hot and a lot of those assists went to Derozan. How about the fourth quarter. Of the 5 steals in the fourth Fox had 4 of them. 5 for 5 from the free throw line in the fourth. If that isn’t clutch what is. Just because he didn’t score 35 doesn’t mean he wasn’t impacting the game. He did impact the game the way a great ball player does.
I think that it is fair to say that Fox was not nearly his best self tonight, and often times to a frustrating extent. The criticism is fair, given his stature as a player and the standing and compensation that he has earned, And with the potential of future huge compensation comes an elevated expectation of performance.
There were certainly mitigating circumstances – the Rockets first adjustment was to kill the Domas/Monk PnR, and their second adjustment was to negate Fox. Fortunately, DDR made them pay for that. Credit to Fox for figuring out a way to contribute down the stretch (steals, clutch free throws).
The best MLB pitchers are the guys that can grind it out when they don’t have their best stuff. That was Fox last night.
My issue with Fox is that he just coasts too much during the game. There are times he is on the floor and just dribbles the ball up, passes to someone else, and then doesn’t get the ball back.
Other times I forget he is even on the floor for minutes at a time. He doesn’t need to always have the ball or always be taking a shot when he is in. But just not being a part of the offense for several possessions in a row is not a good sign.
He came up big late in the game with some timely steals and assists, and also knocking down his FTs. He needs to become a better off-ball player/shooter for this roster (and his long-term career) that has Monk and DeRozan that can score and assist, too. For someone that probably gets a max contract, I expect more from him.
I agree with both Hobby916 and Rob.
And to forecast, I think the smarter move is get max value for him now. Fill some roster holes, stock the draft picks cupboard, avoid the max contract. It’s 8 years in if he was going to become an above average off-ball player/shooter it should have happened by now.
Take a look at the “four straight possessions, four straight buckets” tweet that TerzoM posted. Fox passes the ball to DeRozan and backs away to draw his own defender away. The ball never comes back to Fox because there are better opportunities to exploit. I don’t see that as Fox coasting, but as the team taking advantage of what the defense is giving them.
In that instance, yes, I agree. The plan was to find the mismatch or run a specific play. I am thinking more throughout the game, mainly the 1st half, when he is out there and is quiet. He usually gets subbed back in with mostly bench guys, so maybe the defense works to keep him at bay more (?)
I think he is a good player. He does a lot for this team, yet, at times, he falls flat for me. I don’t know if trading him is the right move or not. I just want the team to win consistently and LTB as much as possible.
You’re one of the most reasoned and reasonable commenters here. There are games where I might agree with you about Fox coasting, but I didn’t notice it much if at all in this game. We put up 132 pts on one of the best defensive teams in the league and all of our starters scored in double figures. I liked that he didn’t try to get his numbers when others were scoring efficiently.
And he was helping them do that the whole time.
Your first sentence is ” he is a good player”. A good player. I’ve watched him the whole time he has been here and IMO he has earned a title better than a “a good player.”
Keegan was outstanding tonight. He is really turning into a ferocious rebounder. A couple of times a day he just snatches the ball out of an opponents hands.
I loved the two times he attacked the close out from the corner and drove the baseline for a dunk.
I am also loving this rip & run version of Keegan. Flying out on the break, going behind his back like he is channeling some vintage Stormin’ Norman Nixon, and that finish on the break was a highlight.
Rockets got a bit off track down the stretch!
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Fuck Inside the NBA. This is lame
We’d much rather hear them making random noises than actually discussing the game.
I came here to make sure the Kings actually won, after watching the TNT broadcast I was certain they lost.
I think they are hilarious. Sometimes it would be nice to hear them talk about the game rather than themselves. Or talk like they actually watched the game.
I am puzzled that people get annoyed over this, as if it is some serious, intellectual program focusing on deep research and journalistic integrity.
It’s a bunch of ex-players having fun and talking shit and saying dumb things and stuff to stir shit up, solely for the purpose of entertainment.
They make millions of dollars over it and some people sitting at home are shaking their fist at the tv screen.
American viewers love this shit, including guys like Stephen A. Smith, Cowherd and a dozen others.
Thanks for explaining how that show works and how popular it is.
You’re welcome, sunshine.
I don’t like any of those type sports shows and have no issues with those that enjoy them .
This was the “okay it’s real” game imo
Also potentially the “we can succeed without Fox” game if Monte can swing a good wing and/or backup big for him
Yep. Totally agree. The Kings beat a top team in the West with little contribution from Fox. Fox is now the piece that is expendable. His play is uninspiring.
You guys above have no idea what Fox was doing last night in the way he got other players involved and especially what he did in the fourth quarter(It’s called crunch time). Shame on you for not seeing that. I do agree we need to do something about improving the team with maybe using Fox in a trade but that has nothing to do how he played last night. As a coach I thought he was doing the right things in order for us to win that game. Doug knew it and as a coach I knew it too.
Well said Jack.
Yeah, I have thought this for quite a while now. I would trade Fox if they could get a good haul for him. Could fill some roster gaps and possibly turn this team into a contender if it was the right move.
IMO, Monk is capable of replacing Fox, not as good in some areas but better in some. I think a big area where Monk is better is he makes his teammates better and Fox doesn’t for the most part.
Fox did that last night. Look at his assists.
I’m not saying Fox is bad. He is a good player, not great. Yes, last night Fox had some assists but Monk had more assists and less TOs and shot a better percentage. Fox was 7/3, Monk 9/2.
And going forward IMO for the Kings the smart move would be get a great haul of player/players to fill some weak spots and picks for Fox. Avoid the max or super max. Start Monk at PG.
They would lose Fox but if the right move was made I think be better overall on the court and otherwise. The contract situation would be better, Monk is on a steal of a deal. DDR is on a fair deal. Huerter is the one guy I would say is overpaid at that point. And they would have more picks in the stock pile.
I have no issue with trading Fox. I have a major issue with trading Fox for anything less than an all-star level player. Kings fans know better than anyone that top 30 players (hell, even top 50 players) are hard to come by. I have zero interest in trading Fox for a handful of young prospects / picks / complementary players, as I have zero interest in wasting any of Domas’ prime years.
De’Aaron Fox is a max player in today’s NBA, by any reasonable measure. The Kings are an NBA team. Simple, that. As it pertains to the Supermax, both Fox and the Kings will need to play out of their minds for the rest of the season for the Supermax to become a concern.
The shame in this is that the Kings won a battle last night, at home, against a very good and tenacious team. And the takeaway for some is that we need to trade De’Aaron Fox, a player without whom we probably would not have won last night, despite the fact that he delivered an overall sub-par game by his standards. The Kings do not win this game with Devin Carter getting Fox’s minutes. They do not win this game with Steven Castle getting Fox’s minutes. They do not win this game, imho.
I am happy they beat HOU but I’m not talking about one game. I am thinking of how to contend.
I think most agree Fox is the Kings most valuable trade asset. I am not saying trade him to get rid of him. I am saying trade him to upgrade, it has to be the right move. IMO, Fox is largely redundant on this roster between Monk (ballhandling/distribution/shot creation), DDR (clutch scoring), and Ellis (on ball defense).
The roster is flawed that seems established on here. Why not use your most tradeable asset to upgrade?
With the exception of the Adelman years, what Kings rosters have always lacked is enough top-end talent. So if we’re talking about getting a top-end, rangy wing or four for Fox, great. But if it’s the old schtick of getting picks and young prospects and complementary players, no thanks.
I disagree that Fox is largely redundant with the rest of this roster. He and Monk are really the only guys out front that can handle. Fox and DDR are really the only guys that can create on their own and in clutch situations. Fox and Ellis are the two best on-ball defenders (with potentially Devin Carter on the horizon). So when you look at the entire package that Fox brings, he is in no way, shape or form redundant, as you need all of Monk, DDR and Ellis on the floor to bring what Fox brings in one package.
The key word here is “upgrade.” So let’s see the deals that take Fox off this roster and upgrades the current team. The trades that instantly puts this team on a more upward trajectory.
I’m not directing this at you (I have a great deal of respect for your takes), but what I have seen throughout the overall fanbase is a souring on Fox. I attribute this to the fact that he’s going to need a new contract in a year and half, his own ill-fated presser after a frustrating loss, and the organization throwing him under the bus by not strongly refuting the false accusations that he had Brown fired. We’re talking about a player that is one of the all-time great Sacramento Kings by any reasonable measure, and a player that has several years of prime basketball left in him. He is not a guy that I’d want to give up for handful of magic beans.
Fox for Evan Mobley? I’m listening. Fox for Lauri? Maybe, with some trepidation. Fox for Naz Reid? I love Reid, but that would be a crazy bad use of assets. Fox for picks and prospects? Yuck.
To be clear I don’t know what the exact right deal is and won’t pretend to, that is Monte’s job.
Fox was the best player on a bad team for a long time and it was not his fault. I think (hope) he still has high value and I see an opportunity to upgrade, set the franchise up better, and possibly contend quickly. A lot like Mitch Richmond.
I think we are on the same page. Especially here:
Fox for Evan Mobley? I’m listening. Fox for Lauri? Maybe, with some trepidation. Fox for Naz Reid? I love Reid, but that would be a crazy bad use of assets. Fox for picks and prospects? Yuck.
Of the above 3 IMO opinion only Mobley qualifies.
I wish Monty was a little like Petrie. He sometimes went out on a limb to make a trade with mostly good success. I don’t know whether Monty has the guts to do that. Maybe he has but can’t get it done for reasons we don’t know.
Any trade would have to be adjusted based on perceived value. So Mobley for Fox straight up I would do. Lauri and a 1st for Fox I would do. Naz Reid and a 1st and 2nd for Fox I would strongly consider.
I have never said give him away for some scrubs and picks.
I IMO should also put Keegan as a really good on ball defender. He has proven that.
I wish I could rec this ten times Rob. Appreciate you being able to state that perspective so plainly.
A couple of things that stand out to me in reading through these threads, and kudos to posters for being very interesting to read.
Fox is a star. Last night one of the cleverest coaches in the league with one of the best defenses in the league game planned against Fox, and he put up 19-3-7 and had four steals in the 4th quarter and hit clutch free throws. He is a star.
Nicely stated Michael.
You know I will agree with you on a Fox trade but will not agree with you and others he didn’t have an impact on last nights game, I guess as an old coach I saw things in last nights game you guys didn’t. I.’ve won games and lost games. I’ve won championship and lost championships.Without somehow not bragging I as a coach saw things you surely didn’t. Just a fact not a brag. Just my observations.
Fox contributed to the win last night. He was good, not great last night. Was he the best player on the floor, no. Not bagging on him, I’m stating facts.
Fox has mostly been the best player on a bad team for most of his career. He is very good most of the time and great occasionally.
And most of my opinions are not single game analysis.
I am trying to think of what the Kings can do to contend ASAP and I am thinking of how good of a player Fox is and will be in the next few year versus giving him a massive contract that could easily be a mistake.
I have plenty of playing and coaching team sports experience myself, no bragging either, I see the game perfectly fine thanks.
Thatis why he is better than a good player.
I don’t think I can count just how many heart attacks I get watching Kings games….tonight was no exception, lol.
Glad we got the win. Now let’s get the next two and go 3-0 on this homestand.
I work nights so I listens to GMAN on the radio. I don’t know how his heart handles it when he call games like tonight. His voice… up, down, up, up, UP! And then downnnn…
G-Man is the best! He is so good at describing games in detail and in a way that portrays the actual tone of the game.
That coast to coast behind the back by Keegan was sweet!
I did not know he could do that! TNT Keegan!
Neither did Doug.
I don’t think they actually pay attention the games. Shaq said pre-game “I really like Sengun’s game. What is he a Power Forward or Small Forward?”
Really, you don’t know what position the dude plays?
They’re great with basketball, terrible with the NBA.
Shaq is great TV personality, but he has demonstrated time and time again that he doesn’t know much about basketball (he never had to learn).
He was absolutely dominant in his playing days, but he wasn’t very skilled…insanely strong, large, and athletic (and good footwork for man his size) but not much skill. I don’t mean to say he wasn’t great, just that he has no experience in learning b-ball skills and or how much hard work it takes most players to be successful at the highest level.
Houston dance!
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Astronaut Dance! Kings Win!
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Beating Brooks will never not feel good.
I almost wish he would’ve done something to test us. Like poke Keegan in the head or something. I wanna know how the team will react when things start getting confrontational.
Monk with the and 1 stare down on Brooks was great!
Did Keegan Murray just hate Mike Brown? He looks like a completely different offensive player the last couple weeks. Great game from him tonight. Two wins against this Rockets team is no joke.
I still think Fox and DDR don’t fit together and everything is smoother when one of them is off the court. That said, I’ll take the wins. Just don’t let up against the stupid Wizards!
LOL, Malik.
https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1880131174556922279
Demar prob thinking “naw that’s a trap. I’ll get the safe 2 points”
Well, he got the and-one and Malik was pumped so all good. It was just funny.
Monk is always entertaining. Funny stuff
The Rockets were more athletic, the Kings were more skilled, and really weathered a ferocious comeback. Nice win.
Fox isn’t finishing like he used too. For his skillset, a small drop in quickness is probably the difference between elite and above average. Not a good sign.
Now that Jalen Green kid. That’s some elite athleticism.
Also, it’s hilarious and depressing to hear national media guys talk about the Kings, like they’ve seen even a half of one of their games since DC took over. Inside the NBA analysis is turrble.
Plesse can someone post instructions on how to do gif with iPhone ?
GIPHY.com, Copy link, paste here. Win
Testing.
Testing.
Nice!
This is great! A couple of testes:
you have class. And balls.
blob:https://kingsherald.com/1582abcf-95d4-48f5-8af4-147f08c61156
No
Love the error page following that link
The url link should look something like this “https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExYXV3bG83dzA0cHAxY29pcnZ6anUyNnZwbGV1ejJpc2JpczFmdDczYyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/4a1JRtcnSDOsoGibJz/giphy.gif
”
(without the double quotes)
5 point game records
4-11 under MB
4-0 under the Legend DC!
Great team win. Solid contributions all around. Fox did not go off offensively but he had some big time steals and made all his free throws. Deebo is a 4th quarter mid-range assassin. Monk is becoming next level. Domas doing his usual work. Keegan a bit of everything (timely 3s, big rebounds, mid-range working). Fun game. Neat fact. We scored more points against the Rockets than any team this year. LTB baby!
Great win! Nice to see them win against a tough opponent on the first game after a road trip. Another check mark on the Doug can do it, Mike can’t list.
I prefer Monk over Fox as the PG and primary ball handler. He is more dynamic and makes his teammates better.
Houston is impressive. Jalen Green is next level. Thompson needs some more experience and needs to gain some BBIQ but when he does wow that guy is going to be amazing.
Seems fans thinking Rockets would trade Green and others for Fox might need to rethink that . Green younger, cheaper .
Yeah, Green looked like a star in the making. I was blown away with his quickness, ability to get to the rim, and three point shooting.
Better too? Maybe not right now but within 1-2 years I think so. I don’t think Fox helped the ‘trade him to Houston’ idea much last night. Thompson locked him up. Looked a lot like the ATL game with Daniels.
I think we are seeing the start of a slow down and decline of Fox. We are seeing these young long athletes stay with him more and not in his dust. I think Fox knows it too, it’s why he is settling for 3s and jumpers more often because he can’t blow by and finish all the time anymore. He can still do it often but not as often.
Also, he looked hesitant on the one drive where Sengun blocked his shot. In past years that is a dunk and one. I think the JJJ takedown and knowing HOU is physical got in his head.
A little small ukca but good start 😀
The Isaiah Thomas of gifs.
Love this picture of Monk staring down Brooks.
Chuck was hardcore hatin last night after the game. Lol
Was he “turrible”?
DDR ISO > Barnes ISO
That 20ft fade away was one helluva shot.
Badge Legend