Kings Summer League team records 31 turnovers in loss to Memphis

In their first game in Las Vegas, the 2024 Sacramento Kings summer league team committed 31 turnover en route to a 103-83 loss to Memphis.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Jul 12, 2024, 5:07 PM Updated: 5:11 pm

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With the California Classic in the rearview, the Sacramento Kings Summer League squad has made their way to Las Vegas for more summer basketball. Game one of their journey was a Friday afternoon tip against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Both team’s 2024 lottery selections, Memphis’ Zach Edey and Sacramento’s Devin Carter, did not participate, leaving Keon Ellis, Colby Jones, Mason Jones, Isaac Jones, and Isaiah Crawford as head coach Doug Christie’s starting five of choice.

Sacramento league team started slowly, recording seven turnovers by the midway mark of the first frame, leading to a quick 12-2 deficit.

USC’s Boogie Ellis checked into the game quickly for the Kings, attempting to change the energy in their favor with his full-court defense and infectious energy on both ends.

Yet, the turnovers did not slow down. At the end of quarter one, Memphis led 28-19. Considering Sacramento managed 12 turnovers in the frame—C. Jones, M. Jones, and Crawford each recorded two, while Timme had three of his own—that margin seemed kind.

As the first half of play ended, things did not improve for the Kings summer league team. They trailed the Grizzlies 55-35 at halftime, with the Kings converting 37.1 percent from the field compared to the opposition’s 44.7 percent. Of course, turnovers were the main issue, with 17 leading to plenty of points on the backend.

During the third quarter, Sacramento’s primary head coach, Mike Brown, joined the broadcast to discuss his contract extension, the addition of DeMar DeRozan, how it improves their team, and more.

“To have a veteran guy that has seen a lot of defenses thrown at him… and then still be able to have the production that he has now is something that we felt would help our guys tremendously,” Brown said. “And, in doing that — the way we play, with the movement and all that other stuff — we felt we could help his game as well.”

Luckily for Brown, the conversation was more focused on the long-term view of his team rather than the game in front of him because the Kings summer league team continued to underwhelm — with Memphis owning a 24-point lead heading into the final ten-minute frame.

With belief seemingly remaining amongst Christie’s squad, their defensive energy did not wane in the fourth — cutting the deficit to 16 with 6:34 remaining.

Unfortunately, their turnover struggles never seemed to disappear. After challenging a call that reversed what would have been their 28th turnover, they had another inbound opportunity.

On the broadcast, Greg Anthony joked, “You know what’s about to happen.” Sure enough, they instantly committed yet another mishap. It’s an unfortunately accurate representation of Sacramento’s first 2024 showing in Las Vegas.

Sacramento successfully challenged what would have been their 28th turnover. After the play, Greg Anthony joked, “You know what’s about to happen.”

And, sure enough. Tough debut game for the Kings in Vegas, but a funny moment behind the mics. pic.twitter.com/59klRXB8w9

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) July 13, 2024

Thirty-one turnovers in 40 minutes of game time is an impossible formula for winning basketball games. Keon Ellis and Drew Timme each had five of their own, while Colby Jones, Mason Jones, Xavier Sneed, and Adonis Arms contributed three a piece.

It was a tough start for the 2024 Kings summer league team in Vegas, but there should only be room for improvement after that debut.

When is the next Sacramento Kings off-season date of interest?

The Kings’ Las Vegas Summer League slate continues on Monday evening when they face the Utah Jazz at the Cox Pavilion.

Sacramento will face shot-blocking center Walker Kessler, Duke product Kyle Fillipowski, and top-ten pick Cody Williams in a game that will tip-off at 7:00 PM PDT on ESPNU.

Sactown Sports 1140 will have all of your Sacramento Kings coverage for the Las Vegas Summer League, free agency, and much more!