SACRAMENTO KINGS

Athletic writer says Kings need to force Pelicans off three-point line

Apr 18, 2024, 12:53 PM | Updated: 1:02 pm

Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against Kevin Huerter #9 of the Sacr...

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 04: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against Kevin Huerter #9 of the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter of an NBA In-Season Tournament Knockout Round game at Golden 1 Center on December 04, 2023 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

How do the Kings keep the Pelicans in check Friday? The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson thinks it comes down to three-point shooting.

Sacramento Kings reporter for The Athletic, Hunter Patterson, joined Stiles & Watkins Thursday to talk about the upcoming play-in matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings. They also discussed the Kings’ win over the Golden State Warriors, what the keys to Friday’s game will be, and if this season comes down making the playoffs.

All that and more on Sactown Sports.

“I would definitely try to run them off the 3.1 as much as possible…you can’t have [C.J. McCollum get going],” Hunter Patterson said. “I want to say he hit like seven or eight threes a couple of weeks ago when they played. Trey Murphy is now really comfortable in his role as a three-and-D kind of guy. I expect [Brandon Ingram] to be extremely aggressive without Zion [Williamson]. So my biggest thing, I’d try to run them off the line and get them to get to [the Kings’] second line of defense and hopefully, [Domantas Sabonis] can muster up a little bit of rim protection there. But it’ll definitely be by committee.”

YouTube video

Additional topics discussed include:

  • Hunter’s thoughts on the Kings’ win over the Warriors?
  • Who stepped up for Sacramento Tuesday? Can they do it again against the Pelicans?
  • What are the expectations for Keegan Murray if he makes the playoffs?
  • What adjustments should Mike Brown make when they face New Orleans?
  • Does a Kings’ win on Friday mean a successful 2023-24 season?
  • Who has the best drip amongst the NBA players according to Hunter

Click here to watch and listen to the full interview with Hunter Patterson.

Listen to Stiles & Watkins from 10 – 2 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, right here on Sactown Sports 1140. Subscribe to their podcast here. Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Newsletter

Sacramento Kings

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings goes up for a dunk ...

Brenden Nunes

Mike Brown: DeRozan-Sabonis two-man game can be ‘off the charts’

At training camp on Friday, Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown told reporters why he thinks the Sabonis-DeRozan two-man game can be 'off the charts.'

2 days ago

Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the W...

Frankie Cartoscelli

Kings exercise fourth-year option on Keegan Murray

The Sacramento Kings have picked up the fourth-year option on forward and former 4th overall pick in the NBA Draft, Keegan Murray.

2 days ago

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with De'Aaro...

Brenden Nunes

Injuries open up opportunties at Kings training camp

The Sacramento Kings ran some five-on-five to close out their third day of training camp, giving interesting insight to a few things.

3 days ago

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Domantas Sabonis during a media day photo shoot at Sacrament...

Frankie Cartoscelli

ESPN projects the Sacramento Kings to return to the NBA Playoffs

ESPN has released its 2024-25 NBA season wins projections, and the Sacramento Kings might be higher than you think.

3 days ago

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball...

Brenden Nunes

Keegan Murray is preparing to guard bigger players this season

With Harrison Barnes gone, Keegan Murray is preparing to guard bigger players this upcoming 2024-25 NBA season.

4 days ago

An exterior general view of the Golden 1 Center before the Sacramento Kings play the Golden State W...

Frankie Cartoscelli

Report: Sacramento Kings will let Sacramento State play at Golden 1 Center

According to Chris Haynes, the Sacramento Kings will allow Sacramento State to play conference home games at Golden 1 Center.

4 days ago

Athletic writer says Kings need to force Pelicans off three-point line