Sacramento’s seven-game winning streak ends in Atlanta

Nov 23, 2022, 7:10 PM | Updated: 7:19 pm

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 23: Kevin Huerter #9 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the...

(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end”. That includes winning streaks.

The Sacramento Kings had its seven-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday night as the Atlanta Hawks controlled the pace from the tip during a 115-106 win at State Farm Arena.

After losing a game for the first time in over two weeks, the Kings (10-7) will take the day off for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday before setting their sights on the dangerous Boston Celtics.

what a dime from @AhmadMonk 🪙 for @swipathefox pic.twitter.com/aWm6vYyxf3

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) November 24, 2022

If you came into Wednesday night’s game wondering if Sacramento would be affected by tired legs on the second night of a back-to-back, you got your answer early in the first half.

Atlanta came running out of the gates–literally–as the Kings’ defense struggled to slow down the All-Star guard duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. The Hawks guards combined to score 28 of their team’s 72 first-half points as Sacramento found itself in a 15-point hole at the break.

The Kings looked much more like themselves during the third quarter as they trimmed Atlanta’s lead to six points before falling back behind by nine heading into the fourth. Sacramento’s bench kept them alive as Malik Monk, Trey Lyles, and Davion Mitchell brought it on both ends of the floor during the third quarter.

Atlanta shot just 29 percent from the field during the third quarter, but the Kings would need to replicate that number in the final period if they wanted a chance at an eighth-consecutive victory.

Although Sacramento’s defense was improved down the final stretch, the team’s lethal offense was what did them in as they finished the night just nine-of-30 from three-point range, including a two-for-10 performance from deep during the fourth quarter.

The fact that the Kings were able to brush off a 70-point defensive letdown in the first half and recover to make this a game was admirable, but the fact that this game was there for the taking and it was the offense that did them in makes it tough to swallow.

Looking at the game in two halves, here’s what the Atlanta Hawks offense did against the King’s defense:

1st half: 72 points on 57% shooting from the field
2nd half: 43 points on 28% shooting from the field

Defensive adjustments were made by Sacramento, but when the game was within 100-93 at the 8:38 mark, the Kings only scored two points over the next four minutes as the deficit increased back into double-digits. The opportunity for a final run was there, and the offense fell flat as the Kings shot just 35 percent from the field during the fourth quarter.

You can’t win them all, but that doesn’t mean this one can’t sting. Still, winning seven out of eight isn’t a bad run for this up-and-coming Sacramento squad that will hope to reignite the beam on Friday night.

‘Red Velvet’ Returns

Kevin Huerter made his first appearance in Atlanta as a visitor during Wednesday’s loss as the 24-year-old received a nice ovation following a video tribute that played during the first quarter.

The Hawks selected the Maryland product with the 19th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, as Huerter spent the past four seasons with Atlanta before an offseason trade sent him to Sacramento on July 6th.

Red Velvet will always have a home in the 🅰️

Thank you @KevinHuerter pic.twitter.com/UOm04yTRNO

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) November 24, 2022

In his return to State Farm Arena, Huerter scored 13 points on three-of-10 seven shooting from beyond the arc to go along with five assists over 29 minutes of action.

Notes

Sacramento turned the ball over 18 times during the loss, matching Tuesday night’s turnover total against Memphis
Malik Monk led all Kings scorers with 27 points (12/18 FG) over 26 minutes of action. Monk, along with fellow bench members Trey Lyles (12 points) and Davion Mitchell were responsible for keeping this game close while players like De’Aaron Fox (7/20 FG) and Keegan Murray (0/5 FG) struggled.
Domantas Sabonis finished the night with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists. The All-Star center has posted a stat line with 15+ points, 10+ boards, and 5+ assists on seven occasions this season–the most of any NBA player this season.
The Hawks only scored two points in the paint during the second half.

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Next Game

The Kings will enjoy one day off before traveling to Boston for a matchup with the Celtics, a team that currently owns the best record in the NBA.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs Celtics coverage on Sactown Sports 1140 starting at 3:30 pm PST on Game Night before action tips off at 5:00 pm PST from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.