Spurs three point barrage buries Kings, 116-96

Nov 11, 2024, 7:24 PM | Updated: Nov 29, 2024, 9:41 pm

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 07: Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over De'Aaron Fox #5 and Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Golden 1 Center on March 07, 2024 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

The 2024-25 Sacramento Kings’ early theme of struggling to convert from three continued, adding complications in their Monday night road matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.

After defeating the Phoenix Suns (without Kevin Durant) Sunday, they quickly turned around before playing in Frost Bank Center the next night. Malik Monk was announced to have suffered a moderate right ankle sprain just hours before tipoff, bringing out the typical need for adapting a “next man up” mentality.

It turns out that losing one of their top-tier offensive players was felt. They shot 10/37 from three en route to a 116-96 loss. The Spurs tied their franchise record for made threes, going 22/46.

The season’s first Kings—Spurs matchup meant Harrison Barnes’s first appearance against Sacramento since December 2018, before his six seasons with the franchise. Of course, DeMar DeRozan had also spent three seasons in San Antonio under Gregg Popovich.

Unfortunately, the veteran coach missed the game due to illness while assistant Mitch Johnson functioned in his place.

Along with Monk, here was the injury report headed into the action.

Kings vs. Spurs Injury Report

Sacramento

Malik Monk – OUT (right ankle sprain)
Devin Carter – OUT (left shoulder surgery)
Orlando Robinson – OUT (left MCL sprain)
Isaiah Crawford – OUT (G-League)

San Antonio

Malaki Branham – OUT (right ankle sprain)
Jeremy Sochan – OUT (left thumb surgery)
Riley Minix – OUT (G-League)
Tre Jones – OUT (right ankle sprain)
Harrison Ingram – OUT (G-League)
David Duke Jr. – OUT (G-League)

Kings vs. Spurs Game Notes

Sacramento went with its typical starters: De’Araon Fox, Kevin Huerter, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis.

The Spurs started with Chris Paul, Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, and Victor Wembanyama.

It didn’t take long for Wembanyama to make his presence noticed. He’s one of the best backline rim protectors in the league, as evidenced by the Spurs’ 12th-ranked defense, just one behind Sacramento in 11th.

But, he also can knock down off-the-dribble threes and come off pin-downs. Like most 7’3 players, of course. His offense and some assistance from Paul and Barnes drives seemed promising early, but the reality of being a bottom-five offense settled in.

During that, the Kings didn’t slow down. Huerter seemed to carry momentum over from his recent impactful performances. Sabonis was taking (and making) mid-range jumpers to try to pull Wembanyama out of the paint. Fox created his own looks.

De’Aaron from downtown 💦 pic.twitter.com/nvrjUMSPCx

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) November 12, 2024

They ended the first quarter on an 11-2 run, leading 26-22. Twelve of their tally came off seven Spurs turnovers. Then, Sabonis checked out, and initially, it seemed like they could maintain or even extend their advantage.

Trey Lyles appeared aggressive and confident, while Doug McDermott and Jordan McLaughlin got minutes after their injuries.

It seemed good until the Spurs, who averaged 12.5 made threes per game coming into the night, caught fire from range. By halftime, they were 11/23, while the Kings (7/21) struggles continued.

San Antonio ended the half with their own 10-2 run, leaving them with a 60-55 lead at the halfway point. Sacramento’s bench, even without Monk, managed 18 points on 4/10 from three, but it was the Frenchman who stole the show with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal on 4/6 from three… at halftime!

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA TONIGHT

• 34 POINTS
• 14 REBOUNDS
• 6 ASSISTS
• 6 THREES

Spurs WIN!
pic.twitter.com/qRPOUecuD8

— Bala 💫 (@BalaPattySZN) November 12, 2024

He kept that up after the break, but the Kings’ energy waned. Maybe the fatigue came with the second night of a back-to-back on the road. But, as they will tell you, there are no excuses. That’s just the NBA.

Sabonis converted a mid-range jumper at the 10:26 mark of the third. The Kings went scoreless on 0/7 shooting, with three turnovers, while San Antonio added ten points over the next five minutes and 11 seconds. Their once four-point deficit had bitterly turned to 14.

It felt like the familiar story of Sacramento struggling to shoot while their opposition caught fire, with the team facing an 84-71 disadvantage heading into the final frame.

Things didn’t slow down from there. The barrage continued while Sacramento struggled to gain a rhythm, making Monk’s absence apparent. The night ended with the Spurs matching a franchise-high 22 made triples on 46 attempts (47.6 percent), while the Kings were just 10/38 (26.3 percent).

Slim rotations led to Fox, DeRozan, and Sabonis all playing upwards of 36 minutes in the loss. Through 11 games, the team based out of California’s capital owns a 6-4 record. Belief seems to remain that their three-point shots will start to fall, but that’s yet to be shown consistently early into the 24-25 season.

Kings vs. Spurs Game Stats

Sacramento:

Field Goal Percentage: 39/91 (42.9%)
Three-Point Percentage: 10/37 (27.0%)
Free-Throw Percentage: 8/9 (88.9%)
Points off Turnovers: 26 points off 18 San Antonio turnovers
De’Aaron Fox: 24 points, six rebounds, three assists on 9/19 FG, 2/5 3P, 4/4 FT
Domantas Sabonis: 23 points, 11 rebounds, four assists on 11/19 FG, 1/3 3P
DeMar DeRozan: 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists on 8/15 FG, 1/1 3P, 4/5 FT

San Antonio:

Field Goal Percentage: 43/85 (50.6%)
Three-Point Percentage: 22/46 (47.8%)
Free-Throw Percentage: 8/8 (100%)
Points off Turnovers: 15 points off 10 Sacramento turnovers
Victor Wembanyama: 34 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, three blocks on 13/22 FG, 6/12 3P, 2/2 FT