BASKETBALL

Mike Brown explains why Sunday’s blowout loss could be a ‘great thing for this team’

Feb 6, 2023, 9:01 AM | Updated: 9:02 am

Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown watches his team play against the Memphis Grizzlies in the s...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings have lost two in a row and five of their last eight. In a season of highs, Sunday’s 32-point blowout was a definite low. And coach Mike Brown is interested to see how the team responds.

Following Sunday’s loss, Brown told reporters after the game that the loss to the Pelicans could be a good thing.

“Cause we’ve had a pretty good year so far and we’ve experienced a lot of highs,” Brown said. “Now we’re hitting a little adversity, we’re hitting a little adversity cause we can’t make shots, we’re getting good looks, we’re getting open looks, but we just can’t make them right now. We’re turning the ball over, we’re not getting stops and you know, we dropped two in a row. We’ve hit some adversity.”

The Kings still rank amongst the top of the league in offense, but over the last two games, they’ve barely been able to crack 100 points. And between the games against the Pacers and Pelicans, the team also turned the ball over a combined 34 times.

These games should have been favorable for the Kings, too. The Pacers and Pelicans played Sacramento on the second night of back-to-back games. But these games have been kryptonite for the Kings, who are 2-8 when playing teams on the second night of back-to-backs.

“I’m interested to see how we respond from this adversity, not just short term but long term as a team, but more importantly as individuals,” Brown went on to say. “Cause when you hit adversity as an individual, your true colors come out. And right now, I don’t know if we’re all in like we talked about at the beginning of the year and how we’ve been because things are flowing and we’re winning and we’re in third place or whatever. So right now, I’m going to sit back and I’m going to watch and see how we all handle this adversity. It’s tough to go through, but it’s a great thing for this team to experience right now because at the end of the day if we do expect to make the playoffs if we do expect to advance in the playoffs, we’re going to have to deal with adversity.”

The Sacramento Kings look to bounce back Monday night with back-to-back games against the Houston Rockets.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Rockets coverage on Sactown Sports 1140 starting at 3:30 p.m. PST with Game Night before action tips off at 5 p.m. PST from Houston.

Newsletter

Basketball

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat drives against Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings durin...

Amiliano Fragoso

Sean Cunningham speculates big names the Kings could pursue this offseason

Are the Sacramento Kings going to be in the market fort a big move this summer? Sean Cunningham thinks all cards are on the table. FOX40 Kings insider, Sean Cunningham, joined The Drive Guys Friday to talk about the Kings’ 2023-24 season and what’s next this summer. They also dive into this summer’s free agency […]

1 day ago

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns dribbling the ball is guarded by De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacrame...

Brenden Nunes

The history of the 13th pick in the NBA Draft

With the Sacramento Kings projected to pick 13th in 2024, let's examine the history of the 13th pick in the NBA Draft.

3 days ago

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns shoots over Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings during...

Brenden Nunes

Stiles & Watkins’ Big Fish List: Is Kevin Durant a fit for the Kings?

The Sacramento Kings are expected to be active in trade conversations this offseason. Should they chase Phoenix's Kevin Durant?

4 days ago

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth...

Brenden Nunes

Stiles & Watkins’ Big Fish List: Is Jimmy Butler a fit for the Kings?

The Sacramento Kings have been active on the trade market in recent years. Could adding Jimmy Butler elevate them to contention?

4 days ago

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Harrison Barnes #40, Domantas Sabonis #10, Malik Monk #0 and ...

Amiliano Fragoso

Gary Gerould says Kings’ 2023 season was unlike anything he’s ever seen

Gary Gerould joined The Drive Guys Tueaday to talk about the Sacramento Kings' 2023-24 season, and what's next for this squad.

5 days ago

Harrison Barnes #40 and Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings celebrate after a basket in the f...

Brenden Nunes

Matt George discusses potential offseason trades for the Kings

Matt George, host of the Locked On Kings podcast, joined Stiles and Watkins Tuesday afternoon to discuss the current state of the NBA postseason and dive into the potential offseason trade landscape from the perspective of the Sacramento Kings. The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated after winning just one game against the Denver Nuggets, and […]

5 days ago

Mike Brown explains why Sunday’s blowout loss could be a ‘great thing for this team’