Kings Fall Apart Again, Now 0-5 On Season

Seven days ago the Sacramento Kings took the floor in Phoenix, ready to tip off the 2019-20 season, where they were hoping to end an over 13-year playoff drought. Wednesday night, after falling to the Charlotte Hornets 118-111, they are now 0-5 on the season, getting boo’d by their own fans inside the Golden 1 Center.

Once again, Sacramento looked strong in the first half, building a lead that got as high as 14 points. Then, like every game so far this season, it all came crashing down in the third quarter. The Kings were outscored 32-18 coming out of halftime, allowing the Hornets to shoot 66% from deep.

“It’s important for our group that we really stick together,” said Kings head coach Luke Walton, “I hope they can see that, even though we haven’t won a game, the work we are putting in is going to lead to winning…”.

For the second straight night, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic struggled mightily when shooting the basketball. Combined, the two sharpshooters managed a dismal 33% from the field, including going 9/27 from beyond the arc.

While Walton told the media that he has encouraged both players to shoot their way out of the slump, Bogdanovic was very open about his frustrations with himself after the game.

“I’m terrible right now, but I’m going to keep working.”

Hield emphasized that the blame falls on the players, not on Walton and the rest of the coaching staff, “It’s not the coaches fault…coaches put us in a good position to be successful on the court”.

Fans didn’t hold back when voicing their displeasure, booing the Kings multiple times in the second half.

“They want to see their team win. I get it. I can promise them this, our players are in there working every day. We appreciate the support and understand the boos. Be patient. It will get done,” said Walton.

Bogi added, “We know as soon as we start winning they will fill the arena. I know these fans very well. They are very loyal”.

Sacramento wraps up their three game home stand with a rematch against the Utah Jazz on Friday, before they head to New York to begin a three game east coast road trip.

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