Anthony Slater on the early benefit of DeMar DeRozan on the Kings

Nov 7, 2024, 5:39 PM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings and Domantas Saboni...

DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings and Domantas Sabonis #11 react after DeRozan made a basket against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Golden 1 Center on November 06, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

The Sacramento Kings have started their DeMar DeRozan era 5-3, and he has already contributed to some clutch, tight games against various opponents, including the team he holds many franchise records for.

The Drive Guys, Kevin “Whitey” Gleason, and Jay Johnson spoke with Anthony Slater, who covers the Sacramento Kings and NBA for The Athletic, to discuss their start to the season, the early impact of DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis taking another step in his game, and more.

DeMar DeRozan has scored 20 or more points in all eight of his games with the Kings, while Domatnas Sabonis has upped his catch-and-shoot scoring to fit in around his new teammate.

The trio talked with Slater about the group’s offensive success but defensive question marks still exist. Also, is there any player to watch for potential in-season trades? Maybe it’s Bobby Portis from the current 1-6 Milwaukee Bucks?

The full interview is available on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube, which can be heard using the link above.

More NBA coverage from Sactown Sports

Through the first three-plus quarters of action on Wednesday night, the Sacramento Kings appeared to be on their way to a disappointing loss on its home floor.

Thankfully for the Kings, they flipped the switch just in time to avoid another loss to the Toronto Raptors, winning by a final of 122-107 at Golden 1 Center.

DeMar DeRozan came up big in crunch time (again), Domantas Sabonis posted a triple-double (again), and Sacramento improved to 5-3 on the season–the franchise’s best eight-game start since the 2018-19 campaign.

Following an 0-2 start, the Kings have won five of their past six games as they continue to pick up steam during the opening stretch of the regular season.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will conclude a brief two-game homestand on Friday night at Golden 1 Center against James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers have a new look this season following the departure of star forward Paul George, and they will also be without Kawhi Leonard (knee) for the foreseeable future.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Clippers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 7:00 PM PT from downtown Sacramento.