Sacramento Improves To 3-0 In Preseason Play After Slim Win Over Suns

Oct 12, 2022, 9:55 PM

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 12: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives the ball against Torr...

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Following two 30-point preseason victories for the Sacramento Kings, fans were due for a rough viewing experience on Wednesday night in Phoenix, Arizona.

With Keegan Murray and Richaun Holmes sidelined due to non-COVID illnesses, the Kings looked flat during the first half while facing a Suns team that was without 10 key rotation pieces.

Although Sacramento fell behind early, the starters and bench were able to piece together a narrow 105-104 win to give the Kings a perfect 3-0 record in preseason play as we moved to within one week of October 19th’s season-opener.

Applying 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 from the start 🔒@dsabonis11 | #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/26aafG7y3l

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 13, 2022

After trailing by as many as 14 points during a sluggish first half, the Kings battled back to cut the deficit to 57-54 at the halftime break.

Even though Phoenix sat a majority of its roster–including All-Star guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker–for rest purposes, the Suns controlled the paint during the first half behind a combined 23 points from Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale during the first 24 minutes of play.

Thanks to a 13-2 run to end the second quarter, Sacramento was able to shake off a rough start and open up the third period within striking distance of a shorthanded Suns team.

Fox scored eight points in two minutes to help the Kings end the first half on a 13-2 run 🦊👑@Swipathefox | #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/kAerQoZ8Ph

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 13, 2022

Even though Sacramento’s starting unit of De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Trey Lyles, and Domantas Sabonis struggled early, the five were able to string together a strong third period to give the Kings an 83-76 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Of course, since we are still in preseason play, that would be the end of the line for the starters.

The fourth quarter would be full of minutes from Sacramento’s regular season roster hopefuls in Quinn Cook, Sam Merrill, Chima Moneke, Keon Ellis, and Neemias Queta. Following Sunday’s game against Portland, head coach Mike Brown told the media that Cook, Merrill, and Moneke would see playing time on Wednesday after failing to see the floor during Sunday’s winning effort.

As roster cuts loom over Sacramento’s roster, the third-string group was able to hold off a late charge from Phoenix’s deep bench in what was the Suns’ final preseason contest of the fall.

Phoenix made things interesting late, but the Suns couldn’t convert the game-winner at the end of regulation as the King escaped the desert with their third-straight win during preseason play.

The main question is this: Does Sacramento’s perfect 3-0 preseason record matter? No. Of course not.

But the fact that the Kings were able to bounce back from a horrific start to secure a win–with their possible soon-to-be-roster-cuts leading the way–isn’t a bad way to add onto the good vibes that have been constructed during training camp.

No KZ?

With both Keegan Murray and Richaun Holmes sidelined due to non-COVID illnesses, head coach Mike Brown made the surprising move to start Trey Lyles at the power forward position instead of KZ Okpala, who had logged the start during Sacramento’s first two preseason games.

Okpala didn’t see the floor on Wednesday, marking the first time this preseason that the forward has not logged any playing time. This raises the question: Would Murray have finally gotten the start at power forward if he had been healthy?

We’ll find out during Sacramento’s final preseason game on Friday night.

TD Gets An Early Call

For the second-straight game, Terence Davis got the sixth-man treatment off of the bench as it’s becoming clear that Brown has an eye on the versatile guard for a rotation spot come opening night.

Davis has gotten the call ahead of backup point guard Davion Mitchell, as Brown has shown that he has an eye on Davis to act as a jumpstart to Sacramento’s offense. The 25-year-old’s energy and athleticism off of the bench could act as a critical tool for this Kings team’s second unit.

Over just 18 minutes of playing time, Davis scored 12 points on three-of-five shooting from beyond the arc to go along with one steal and one block in the win.

Quick Hits

De’Aaron Fox led all Kings scorers with 15 points (five-of-14 from the field) over 22 minutes of play
Domantas Sabonis flirted with a double-double on Wednesday, scoring nine points and pulling down 10 rebounds over 22 minutes of action
Kevin Huerter put his three-point shooting on display during the win, scoring 13 points (three-of-five from three-point land) over 20 minutes of play.

Injury Report

Richaun Holmes and Keegan Murray both missed Wednesday night’s game in Phoenix due to non-COVID illnesses.

Holmes fully participated in Tuesday’s practice but had to leave the session early after experiencing some illness symptoms. Murray was not seen at practice, and it was later revealed that the rookie forward had stayed home from practice to rest.

Both players did not travel to Phoenix and are considered day-to-day for Friday’s exhibition against Los Angeles.

Next Up

The Kings will return home for one last tune-up game on Friday night when they face the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center.

Following Friday’s preseason finale, Sacramento will need to finalize its roster by October 17th by trimming its 20-man roster down to 15 players. Once the roster is set, the Kings will be fully set to host the Portland Trail Blazers on October 19th in their 2022-23 season opener.

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