A Perfect Finish: Kings Blowout Lakers To Finish Preseason With 4-0 Record

Oct 14, 2022, 9:30 PM | Updated: 10:48 pm

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 20: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings controls the ball against the ...

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

No stats, no problem.

The NBA’s statistic database wasn’t working during Friday’s preseason finale between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, but the scoreboard was all that was needed to tell the story of this one.

De’Aaron Fox put on an offensive display, Sacramento dominated from both ends of the floor from the tip, and the Kings defense produced several highlight sequences during a 133-86 win over the Lakers in front of a sold-out Golden 1 Center crowd.

For the second-straight season, the Kings finished the preseason with a perfect 4-0 record, and they did so by beating their opponents by an average of 27.5 points per game. Not a bad tune-up for the regular season.

🗣RING THE BELL! @hoopculture13 | #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/Mr2I4q2sFb

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 15, 2022

While there weren’t any official statistics on hand during Friday’s game (at least there weren’t any available at the time of this article’s publishing), there were plenty of things to like about Sacramento’s blowout win over Los Angeles.

De’Aaron Fox’s offense was dialed in during the first half as the guard knocked went two-for-two from beyond the arc while also causing havoc in the paint. The speedy guard used his quickness to get to the rim and draw fouls against a sloppy Lakers defense, while teammate Malik Monk also was effective on the offensive end.

Of course, the 2022-23 Sacramento Kings will go as far as their defensive improvements take them. Head coach Mike Brown’s defense was hard at work during the win, as players like KZ Okpala and Davion Mitchell set the tone on that end of the floor.

With the offense clicking and the defense looking as good as it has all preseason, this one was out of hand from the start as the Kings went wire-to-wire and led by as many as 47 points during the win.

🗣RING THE BELL! @hoopculture13 | #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/Mr2I4q2sFb

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 15, 2022

The Kings aren’t a stranger to preseason success. Sure, the 4-0 record is preferable and it goes hand-in-hand with the team’s noticeably positive aura that has been evident during training camp. But the time to rehearse is over. Starting on Wednesday night, these games matter.

If preseason was any indication of what Kings fans are going to see this year, it’s going to be a lot of fun watching this team grow into a hopeful postseason contender.

Terence Davis Deserves A Rotation Spot

After sitting out for most of Sacramento’s preseason opener on October 3rd, Terence Davis has made a noticeable impact in each of the past three games.

Davis was called on as a Sixth Man for the second-straight game on Friday, coming in to play alongside De’Aaron Fox in the backcourt. The speedy guard was all over the floor, causing disturbances on defense and knocking down open looks on the offensive end.

In three of Sacramento’s four games, Davis has been included in Kings head coach Mike Brown’s early rotation, logging minutes with a majority of the starting unit. This bodes well for the 25-year-old’s chances of being included in the mix for opening night in the role of a bench sparkplug.

Okpala Locked In As Starting PF?

Mike Brown still hasn’t named a starting power forward for opening night, but KZ Okpala’s case grew on Friday as the forward started his third game of the preseason.

It’s become clear that Brown intends to have the 6’8 forward in his opening night rotation, and all signs currently point to Okpala starting on opening night alongside a group that will include De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and Domantas Sabonis.

Defense is going to be a priority for Sacramento this season, and having Okpala in the starting lineup will give the Kings a versatile option that can defend the best player on the floor.

Coach Brown's challenge was successful 💪😤 pic.twitter.com/2UG0frwSrJ

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 15, 2022

Last season, it seemed too often that opponents would take big leads early and put Sacramento in a 10-to-15-point hole in the first half. With defensive specialists like Okpala in the mix, the hope is that those big early leads will disappear so that the Kings aren’t having to play catchup from the get.

Keegan Murray’s time as a starter will come, but it might take some time. Brown said pregame on Friday that the rookie will see “heavy minutes” no matter his starting or bench status. It’s going to be more about who is on the floor to finish games, and you can bet that Murray is going to be in that closing mix more times than not this season.

Notes & Observations

Mike Brown called a timeout just 65 seconds into Friday’s game after the Lakers scored off of a blown Kings defensive rotation. The quick timeout call comes just one week after Brown called a timeout 90 seconds into Sacramento’s preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers. When Brown sees something he doesn’t like on the defensive end, he intends to fix it quickly.
KZ Okpala might begin the regular season as a starter, but Brown hasn’t included the forward in his starting unit once play enters the second half. Chima Moneke replaced Okpala in the starting unit to begin the third quarter.
De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk were included in the same starting lineup for the first time since they were teammates at Kentucky during the 2016-17 season. The duo connected for an alley-oop jam during the third period that brought some nostalgia into Golden 1 Center.

The duo from Kentucky haven't lost a steppic.twitter.com/zKHIJzfTYA

— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) October 15, 2022

Injury Updates

Richaun Holmes returned to action after missing Wednesday’s game in Phoenix due to a non-COVID illness.
Keegan Murray missed Friday’s contest as he recovers from a non-COVID illness. The rookie was a full participant during Thursday’s practice, but the Kings didn’t want to push their fourth-overall pick as he recovers from his absence.
Kevin Huerter sat out of Friday’s game due to ankle soreness, but it sounds as if the 24-year-old will be ready to go come opening night.

Next Up

The next time that the Sacramento Kings lace up for a game, this one will count for real.

Sacramento will open up the 2022-23 regular season on Wednesday night when they face star guard Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs Blazers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140, with coverage beginning at 3:00 PM PST on Cattles & Ramie before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from Golden 1 Center.