SACRAMENTO KINGS

Phoenix Suns stars have high praise for Kings, Golden 1 Center atmosphere

Nov 29, 2022, 2:47 PM | Updated: 5:28 pm

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns is guarded by KZ Okpala #...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The tides are turning in Sacramento, and opposing teams are beginning to take notice.

Sure, the Kings dropped a hard-fought contest to the Phoenix Suns on Monday night at Golden 1 Center, but several members of the Suns spoke highly of the team that they faced, and the environment was created by the fans in attendance.

Phoenix center Deandre Ayton told the media that the Suns started using sign language late in the game as the decibel level increased with each big play from the Kings.

“I thought it was a playoff game,” Ayton said of the atmosphere during Monday’s game. “It was so loud in there, you have no idea. I couldn’t hear myself, I couldn’t hear coach. We just started doing sign language and hopefully we got the right call or the right communication.”

Ayton, who finished the night with 17 points on eight-of-10 shooting from the field to go along with 12 rebounds, wasn’t the only player to praise Sacramento as All-Star guard Devin Booker complimented the Kings on their high-powered offense.

“I think they’re playing some of the best offense in the NBA right now,” Booker said. “De’Aaron [Fox] is playing really well. [Domantas] Sabonis is making plays for everybody. [Kevin] Huerter [is] making every shot he takes. They have weapons out there and they play well together and they’re playing hard.”

Booker, who torched the Kings defense for 44 points (17-of-28 shooting from the field) noted that the Sacramento is further along as a postseason contender than the Suns were during his first couple of seasons in the league.

“They’re in a better place than we were,” Booker said. “We didn’t have no game win streak. I didn’t win three games in a row until about my fifth season. Different situation but they have something brewing here that everyone should be excited about.”

“I mean, Fox has always been one of the best players in the league. They added a top-tier center. Harrison is one of the best forwards in the league, he’s versatile,” Williams said postgame. “But then you see the development of some of their younger guys. Monk and [Kevin] Huerter, they give you a different look. Those guys can shoot the ball, they can get to the basket, they can play off the dribble. And they’re all tough. This is not an easy place to win. It never has been, but now it’s like you’re looking at a playoff team, in my estimation, just because they have everything. They can post you up. They can play in pick-and-roll and they have shooters everywhere.”

The Kings still have a lot of work to do before April’s postseason play begins. Still, they are turning heads around the league just 19 games into the season thanks to solid play from their stars in Fox and Sabonis, plus positive contributions from their new pieces in Huerter and Monk.

Newsletter

Sacramento Kings

Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball over Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Ki...

Joseph Jarosz

Jason Anderson: The final playoff spot will come down to the Kings or Mavs

Jason Anderson, Sacramento Kings reporter for the Sacramento Bee, joined The Drive Guys to discuss the final push for the playoffs, another matchup with the Mavericks looming after Tuesday's loss, and more.

3 hours ago

Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks is guarded by Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings ...

Brenden Nunes

Western Conference Standings Update: Kings fall back to play-in after loss to Dallas

The Sacramento Kings Tuesday night loss to the Dallas Mavericks was costly in the Western Conference standings race.

21 hours ago

Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks is guarded by Chris Duarte #3 of the Sacramento Kings in t...

Joseph Jarosz

Kayte Christensen on if fatigue factored into the Kings loss to Dallas

Kayte Christensen joined Sactown Sports to talk about the Sacramento Kings 132-96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday night. 

1 day ago

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Keegan Murra...

Frankie Cartoscelli

Luka, Mavericks dominate Kings to climb West standings

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks secured a crucial win on Tuesday to leapfrog the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference standings.

2 days ago

Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings smiles after he set the new NBA record (since ABA merg...

Amiliano Fragoso

TNT Broadcaster says Domantas Sabonis should be getting more attention

TNT Broadcaster Michael Grady joined The Drive Guys Tuesday to talk about the Kings-Mavericks clashes and Domantas Sabonis.

2 days ago

Kyle Lowry #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Keon Ellis #23 of the Sacramento Kings in the...

Brenden Nunes

The Sacramento Kings ‘Latest Formula’ for Success: Defense and Possessions

The Sacramento Kings have looked like a different team over the last eight games. Embracing their newly altered formula has led to success.

2 days ago

Phoenix Suns stars have high praise for Kings, Golden 1 Center atmosphere