Kings outpaced by Orlando 130-111 in LaVine’s debut

The Kings were outpaced by Orlando 130-111 in Zach LaVine's Sacramento debut on Wednesday night.

Feb 5, 2025, 9:27 PM

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A notable excitement filled Golden 1 Center Wednesday night pre-game as the Sacramento Kings hosted the Orlando Magic in Zach LaVine’s debut. Unfortunately, their defense let them down by allowing the second-worst offense in the NBA to cruise to a 130-111 win.

It was the Magic’s season-high for points, converting 57 percent of their attempts. Franz Wagner led the way with 31 points, while Paolo Banchero (23), Anthony Black (15), and Cole Anthony (14), Goga Bitadze (14) surpassed double-digits.

LaVine tallied 13 points and three assists on 4/13 from the field and 0/4 from three. It was just the second time he failed to convert from beyond the arc this season.

Nineteen turnovers led to 28 Orlando points, aiding their pace while the Kings seemed to play at a crawling speed. It was the second time this season they recorded 19+ turnovers.

It’s a rough start for the LaVine-era in Sactown, but plenty of season remains as they look to escape the crowded Western Conference play-in conversation.

Kings vs. Magic Injury Report

Sacramento

Jonas Valancuinas (trade pending) – OUT

Orlando

Jalen Suggs (left quad) – OUT
Moritz Wagner (left knee) – OUT
Mac McClung (G-League) – OUT

Sacramento’s Starting Five: Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

Orlando’s Starting Five: Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Goga Bitadze

Kings vs. Magic Game Notes

Integrating LaVine after he was acquired on Sunday was expected to have its hiccups, but the Kings aimed to iron those out on the fly against the Magic. His stellar three-point shooting was highly anticipated, but neither team was attempting many triples early.

Shots were falling, just not from distance. The Kings didn’t attempt a triple for the first eight minutes of action, with their first three-point make coming at the 1:13 mark of the opening frame.

Keon Ellis replaced Monk as the first substitute, as the new starting point guard is tasked with running the second unit, just as Fox had done this season.

Meanwhile, the newly-acquired UCLA alum played the entire first, tallying six points and three assists on 3/7 shooting during his first stint representing California’s capital.

Zach LaVine gets his first bucket as a Sacramento King pic.twitter.com/NHvqLdTJnC

— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) February 6, 2025

Orlando and Sacramento shot upwards of 60 percent over the first 12 minutes, with the Magic owning a 37-31 lead heading into the second.

Offensive production didn’t slow, as the game’s conversation rate remained around 60 percent from the field. Banchero, who had struggled to score in recent games, found a rhythm by attacking mismatches in the midrange.

DeRozan matched that energy on the other end, aggressive in getting to his spots and making plays from there. Per usual, Sabonis was eating on the glass (especially offensively).

Turnovers caused harm to Sacramento’s first half, recording nine by the midway point, leading to 14 Orlando points.

With a narrow 62-60 halftime advantage, the Magic converted 58.1 percent from the field (4/9 3P) compared to Sacramento’s 58.5 percent (5/10 3P).

It felt like a question of which side would sit down and be the first to play convincing, impactful defense. Christie went with a 2/3 zone for stretches, something we’ve seen often since he took over for Mike Brown in late December.

Monk picked up his fourth foul early into the fourth quarter, cutting his stint short as Ellis re-entered.

Their turnover struggles continued as the pace slowed. Orlando started the third with an 18-4 advantage, quickly jumping out to a 17-point lead.

Like Banchero did earlier, it was Wagner’s turn to hunt advantageous isolation matchups. The Michigan alum recorded 14 straight points for his squad, catapulting Orlando’s advantage to 97-77 with 1:55 remaining in the third.

Franz Wagner thru three quarters at SAC:

31 PTS
5 REB
3 AST
12-22 FG
27 MIN pic.twitter.com/8qDcuzzb7J

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 6, 2025

Monk’s poor night continued, recording four turnovers before picking up his fifth foul as the quarter wound down.

Orlando, who have the second-worst offensive rating in the NBA this season (106.8), outscored the Kings 42-23 to take a 104-83 advantage into the final frame.

Christie emptied his bench with 8:13 remaining as the Kings trailed by 29 points.

LaVine ended his Sacramento debut with 13 points, three assists, and one assist on 4/13 from the field and 0/4 from three. It’s just the second time he failed to convert a triple this season.

Sabonis added 21 points and 13 rebounds, while DeRozan scored 19 points on 6/11.

Wagner managed a game-high 31 points on 12/22 shooting. Banchero added 23 points and nine assists on 9/15. Black, Anthony, and Bitadze got into double-digits as well.

The new-look Kings fell 130-111, bringing their season record back down to .500 (25-25) as Wednesday’s noon trade deadline looms. Apparent defensive weaknesses and a remaining lack of forwards again hindered their chances.

Even after adding Jonas Valancuinas earlier in the day, general manager Monte McNair is expected to remain active in the coming hours.