SACRAMENTO KINGS

Kings starters get plenty of run in preseason loss to Golden State

Oct 11, 2024, 9:46 PM

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: DeMar DeRozan #10 high-fives Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sa...

DeMar DeRozan #10 high-fives Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings during the second half of their preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 11, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Two days after playing their Northern California neighbors in Chase Center, the Sacramento Kings played their second preseason showdown against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.

It was a good showing from their starters, who all logged over 25 minutes but ultimately fell 109-106.

Unfortunately, the Kings were without Kevin Huerter (shoulder), Devin Carter (shoulder), Trey Lyles (groin), Orlando Robinson (knee), Jordan McLaughlin (ankle), and Malik Monk (personal reasons). However, earlier in the day, there was good news on Huerter’s progress back to full-contact activities.

Keon Ellis started alongside the expected De’Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. The group started strong, forcing the Warriors’ starters into several turnovers, but the score remained close.

For the second consecutive game, Fox and DeRozan were Mike Brown’s first substitutions, entering Mason Jones and Isaac Jones in their place. Offensive rebounding has been a significant emphasis in training camp, and I. Jones made an immediate impact there.

With the slew of injuries Sacramento is dealing with, DeRozan played the power forward position for a stretch. Rotational notes should be taken with a grain of salt in the preseason, but it’s worth noting.

The Warriors had six turnovers at the end of one. Sacramento had none. It was an offensive battle in the first 12 minutes, with Keegan Murray (10 points) leading all scorers at the end of one.

One game after knocking down 28 threes, Golden State had eight made triples early into the second. Coach Brown adjusted by running a zone defense with their guard-heavy lineup featuring DeRozan at the four.

After a hard foul on driving second-year guard Colby Jones, Draymond Green picked up his fourth foul with about eight and a half minutes left in the second, sending him to the sideline.

A common question after the addition of DeRozan was how it would impact the continued growth of third-year forward Keegan Murray. Sacramento’s equal opportunity offense is about him recognizing his moments.

Through the first half, he did that, tallying 12 points, two assists, and four steals. It was a typical rotation, with the Kings starting five, recording all but three of their 58 first-half points.

Sacramento went on a 21-6 run but went into the half up 58-55.

Having 22 free throws at halftime is a new look for the Kings, with Fox, Murray, DeRozan, and Sabonis combining 13/17 at the midway point. Combined with forcing the Warriors into 12 turnovers, the Kings were likely content with their first-half showing but always hungry for more.

Coach Brown elected to keep rolling with his starters in the second half, while Steve Kerr kept Stephen Curry on the sideline.

A solid start to quarter three allowed the Kings to jump out to a 76-67 lead. They rolled with their starters for notable minutes, considering its preseason status. Before the three-minute mark of the third, they had sat on the bench, recording the following numbers:

  • De’Aaron Fox (26 minutes): 19 points, six rebounds, three assists on 6/12 FG, 4/6 3P, 3/4 FT
  • Keon Ellis (27 minutes): 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals on 4/9 FG, 3/7 3P, 1/1 FT
  • DeMar DeRozan (26 minutes): 16 points, six assists, three rebounds, one steal, one block on 6/14 FG, 1/3 3P, 3/4 3P
  • Keegan Murray (26 minutes): 17 points, two rebounds, two assists, five steals on 5/11 FG, 1/5 3P, 6/8 FT
  • Domantas Sabonis (25 minutes): 13 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals on 5/9 FG, 0/3 3P, 3/5 FT
  • Total: 77 points on 26/55 FG (47.3%) and 9/24 3P (37.5%)

Their ability to get to the free throw line and force Golden State into turnovers was on-brand for the type of basketball they hope to play in 2024-25.

After that point, the three two-way players, I. Jones, M. Jones, and Isaiah Crawford, got a notable run. Isaac Jones has seemed to impress in camp and displayed more encouraging but raw moments in his opportunities. He had four points, five rebounds (three offensive), two assists, and one steal on 2/6 shooting.

The game remained tight going into the closing moments, allowing their end-of-bench options to appear in ‘meaningful’ minutes. Their offense slowed down with that group, allowing an 11-0 run in the closing minutes to give the Warriors a one-point lead with under a minute remaining.

Trailing 106-109 with 16.7 seconds left, Isaac Jones missed a catch and shoot three before Mason Jones forced up a turnaround look from range. Neither was particularly close, and the Warriors won their second consecutive game over the Kings in the preseason.

Their starters looked good, but the fall-off after going to the bench was apparent. Ideally, as some players return from injuries, that issue will be lessened.

Sacramento Kings 2024-25 Schedule

Preseason

  • Friday, October 11th – @ Golden State Warriors – 7 pm PDT
  • Sunday, October 13th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 3 pm PDT
  • Tuesday, October 15th – @ Utah Jazz – 6 pm PDT
  • Thursday, October 17th – @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7 pm PDT

Regular Season

  • Thursday, October 24th – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7 pm PDT
  • Saturday, October 26th – @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7:30 pm PDT
  • Monday, October 28th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7 pm PDT
  • Tuesday, October 29th – @ Utah Jazz – 6 pm PDT
  • Friday, November 1st – @ Atlanta Hawks – 4 pm PDT

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