Kings Suffer Another Double-Digit Defeat in Return Home

The Sacramento Kings may have pulled off a historic comeback in Minnesota on Monday night, but don’t forget that they were down by 27 points to one of the two teams that are beneath them in the Western Conference standings. Wednesday night, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a current playoff team in the West, Sacramento fell behind by as much as 29, and ultimately lost 120-100.

Sacramento has struggled against physicality as of late, missing both of their starting big-men; Marvin Bagley and Richaun Holmes. Kings head coach Luke Walton said that they would also be without both players on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.

“We don’t have them. We as a group need to understand, but not accept that.”

Point guard De’Aaron Fox, who finished the night with 19 points and five assists, added, “Obviously we want them back on the court but they aren’t playing right now. We gotta find a way to win (without them)”.

While fans have questioned the Kings’ effort during their nightly lapses, both Walton and Fox feel that the issue isn’t with effort, but execution.

“I don’t think our problem is effort. Basketball is a huge mental game as well. Right now that’s where I feel like we are lacking, not just physically…” said Fox.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, in his third straight game as a starter, scored a team-high 23 points. Buddy Hield added 13 off of the bench.

The Oklahoma City Thunder earned their 29th win of the season on the back of two-way contract guard Luguentz Dort, who finished with a career-high 23 points. Dennis Schroder also added 24 points and nine assists off of the bench.

Sacramento, now 17-30 on the season, travels to southern California tonight for their meeting with the Clippers tomorrow. They will return home to play the Lakers on Saturday night.

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