Kings keep pace in West postseason race with blowout win over Nets

Apr 7, 2024, 7:02 PM | Updated: 7:19 pm

(Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As the Western Conference standings continue to look like a chaotic game of musical chairs, the Sacramento Kings picked up a much-needed win on Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn, New York.

With exactly one week remaining in the NBA’s regular season, the Kings shook off a heartbreaking loss in Boston by coasting to a 107-77 win over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.

The win brought the Kings one game behind the sixth-seed Phoenix Suns, who hold the final playoff spot in the West with just four games remaining.

Sacramento (45-33) will now wait for the conclusion of Sunday’s late game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. A Lakers loss would lift the Kings back into the eighth spot in the standings, while a loss would keep them in the ninth-seed as both teams attempt to avoid single-elimination Play-In territory.

Both Phoenix and New Orleans (46-32, seventh seed) will face the Beam Team at Golden 1 Center later this week as the race to the postseason continues to heat up.

De’Aaron is somethin’ else in the clutch pic.twitter.com/nq1KGPVt0q

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 8, 2024

Kings vs. Nets Recap & Takeaways

Sacramento’s offense started off cold on Sunday, but the strong play of the second unit helped switch things into gear.

After falling behind 14-7, Davion Mitchell (10 points during the first quarter) and the Kings ended the period on a 22-5 run to take a ten-point lead into the second period.

The Sacramento bench energized the offense as the Kings continued to increase its lead over Brooklyn, taking a 65-40 lead into the break after shooting 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range. Ball movement was a strength for Sacramento, as 17 assists were handed out on 23 made baskets during the first 24 minutes of play.

Domantas Sabonis racked up his league-leading 74th double-double of the season during the early minutes of the second quarter, and the bench group of Mitchell, Trey Lyles, and rookie guard Colby Jones helped the Kings end the first half on a 20-4 run.

While Sacramento fell behind 14-7 early, they outscored the Nets 58-26 during the final 18 minutes of the first half to take a commanding lead into the third quarter.

Colby drills one from the corner 👌 pic.twitter.com/zU5qCHWSx8

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 8, 2024

As hot as the Kings’ offense was to end the first half, Sacramento struggled to find the bottom of the net during the first five minutes of the third period.

The Kings missed their first ten field goal attempts to begin the quarter, going scoreless for the first 5:22 of the period, while Brooklyn trimmed the deficit to 15 points.

Thankfully, as was the case during the first quarter, Sacramento knocked off the rust and maintained a double-digit lead thanks to a productive stretch from Keegan Murray, who scored nine of his 19 points in the third.

Although the Kings’ tendencies from their 65-point first half didn’t carry over into the third quarter, stretches of scoring from Murray and a late charge from De’Aaron Fox were more than enough to coast to the finish line.

Sacramento’s offense cooled off, but the Kings continued to take advantage of Brooklyn’s miscues, finishing the night with 22 points off of 17 Nets turnovers.

Keegan made Clowney touch EARTH 😱 pic.twitter.com/HABl3ngQrv

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 8, 2024

During the third, the Kings scored 13 points on six-of-25 (24%) shooting from the field. It was a different story in the fourth quarter, as Sacramento outscored Brooklyn 29-13 while shooting 46 percent from the field and holding the Nets to just six-of-21 (29%) from the floor.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 20 points while also adding five rebounds, and Keegan Murray was right behind him with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four blocks (career-high).

The Kings’ bench came up big during the win as well, with Trey Lyles (14 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks) and Davion Mitchell (12 points) leading the way, while Colby Jones did a bit of everything in an expanded role (three steals and two blocked shots).

It was a stress-free, easy win for Sacramento–but the next three games will be a challenge as the Kings will end the road trip in Oklahoma City before returning home for a back-to-back against New Orleans and Phoenix.

Sabonis Passes Elgin

Domantas Sabonis continues to etch his name into the NBA record books.

The three-time All-Star secured his 61st consecutive double-double on Sunday, breaking a tie with Hall of Fame big man Elgin Baylor for the seventh-longest streak in NBA history.

Sabonis finished the night with 18 points, 20 rebounds, nine assists, and two blocked shots over 35 minutes.

Not only does Sabonis lead the NBA in double-doubles (73) and triple-doubles (26), but he also leads the league in games with 20+ rebounds (eight).

Domas appreciation post 👏 pic.twitter.com/vNP9FlcQV9

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 8, 2024

Notes

Keegan Murray established a new career high in blocks with four tonight at Brooklyn. Murray surpassed his previous high of three, which he had done three times before, including most recently vs. Chicago on Mar. 4th.
The Kings’ bench outscored the Nets‘ by a final of 36-26.
Sacramento improved to 13-22 when shooting under 35% from three-point range this season (finished the night 31% from deep).
The Kings are 26-6 (.812) when passing out 30+ assists.

Injury Updates

Malik Monk (right knee) will be re-evaluated in three weeks after suffering a right knee MCL sprain.

Kevin Huerter (left dislocated shoulder and labral tear) will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery and is slated to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will play its final road game of the regular season on Tuesday night when they face the third-seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Kings have secured two wins out of three matchups against OKC this season, although they dropped the most recent head-to-head meeting on February 11th as the Thunder coasted to a 127-111 win at the Paycom Center.

During three games against Oklahoma City this season, Domantas Sabonis holds averages of 18.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 11.3 assists on 55 percent shooting from the field.

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Thunder coverage, beginning at 3:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 5:00 PM PST tip-off from Oklahoma City.

Upcoming Schedule

Tuesday, April 9th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:00 PM PST
Thursday, April 11th – Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PST
Friday, April 12th – Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PST
Sunday, April 14th – Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 12:30 PM PST (End of regular season)

Postseason Schedule