Stockton Kings season comes to an end against familiar face in Conference Finals

Apr 8, 2024, 9:09 AM | Updated: 2:12 pm

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 07: Sacramento Kings Assistant Coach for Player Development Lindsey Harding passes the ball during the warm up before the game against the New York Knicks at Golden 1 Center on March 07, 2022 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

The Stockton Kings’ exceptional 2023-24 G-League season ended Sunday night when they fell to the Oklahoma City Blue in the Conference Finals. While a G-League championship was the goal, the single-elimination nature of the postseason made for a tough road.

As shown in the play-in games and March Madness action, anything can happen in one basketball game. For example, Jahmi’us Ramsey, who Sacramento previously selected with the 43rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, eliminated his former team with a team-high 29 points and eight rebounds on 11/17 from the field, including 5/9 from three.

Oklahoma City took a notable lead in the second quarter before extending their lead in the third. Despite Stockton’s efforts to lessen the deficit, they were defeated 114-107. Stanley Johnson led his team in scoring with 30 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block on 11/23 from the field, including 5/11 from beyond the arc.

Two-way player Jalen Slawson added 26 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and four blocks in 38 minutes. Deonte Burton tallied 15 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals on 6/16 shooting. Mason Jones contributed 14 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, one steal, and one block on 5/13 shooting.

Catching up with Jalen Slawson & Stockton Kings head coach Lindsey Harding after the 114-107 loss to the OKC Blue in the G League Conference Finals. Slawson was emotional & motivated after the loss. “Stockton will be back in the Western Conference Finals next year.” pic.twitter.com/AeayHQZrkx

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) April 8, 2024

G-League Coach of the Year Lindsey Harding was disappointed in Stockton’s postseason finale, but ending the regular season with a league-best 24-10 record should not be overlooked. During that time, they managed the fourth-best offensive rating (115.1) and fourth-ranked defensive rating (107.6), totaling an impressive 7.5 net rating.

The Blue, who defeated Stockton Sunday, were the only better regular season team with a better net rating than the Kings. Playing an extremely similar game style to the Sacramento club, repetitions with the Stockton have proved valuable for Keon Ellis and, more recently, Colby Jones.

Let’s look at the regular season averages for the 2023-24 Stockton Kings’ players.

Colby Jones (13 games): 19.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.4 turnovers, 2.0 steals on 51.3/37.5/53.6
Jaylen Nowell (28 games): 17.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 turnovers on 44.0/38.5/86.8
Skal Labissiere (26 games): 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 turnovers, 1.7 blocks on 64.9/21.7/62.5
Mason Jones (23 games): 16.0 points, 8.4 assists, 5,2 rebounds, 3.1 turnovers, 1.0 steal on 51.3/47.6/83.6
Jordan Ford (24 games): 15.5 points, 4.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 turnovers, 1.0 steal on 49.6/43.4/94.3
Stanley Johnson (31 games): 14.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 turnovers, 1.1 steals on 46.8/40.8/75.0
Jalen Slawson (30 games): 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.5 turnovers, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks on 47.8/26.4/71.6
Deonte Burton (29 games): 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 turnovers, 1.4 steals on 45.6/38.0/75.7

With notable NBA experience on their roster, the Stockton Kings found success this season, led by first-year head coach Lindsey Harding. Now, Harden and two-way players Ford, Slawson, and Jones will get an opportunity to rejoin and spend the final moments of Sacramento’s regular season with the parent club.

Although Stockton didn’t end their season lifting a G-League Championship trophy as they had hoped, it was a promising year for Sacramento’s developmental league.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will play its final road game of the regular season on Tuesday night when they face the third-seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Kings have secured two wins out of three matchups against OKC this season, although they dropped the most recent head-to-head meeting on February 11th as the Thunder coasted to a 127-111 win at the Paycom Center.

During three games against Oklahoma City this season, Domantas Sabonis holds averages of 18.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 11.3 assists on 55 percent shooting from the field.

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Thunder coverage, beginning at 3:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 5:00 PM PST tip-off from Oklahoma City.

Upcoming Schedule

Tuesday, April 9th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:00 PM PST
Thursday, April 11th – Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PST
Friday, April 12th – Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PST
Sunday, April 14th – Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 12:30 PM PST (End of regular season)

Postseason Schedule