In a matchup between two teams with uncertain futures, the Sacramento Kings dropped their season opener against the Phoenix Suns despite leading by 17 points at halftime.
The Kings traveled to Phoenix without their All-Star center, Domantas Sabonis, and forward Keegan Murray, and the Suns were without recently acquired guard Jalen Green, who is expected to start alongside Devin Booker in the back court. Sacramento took an early lead thanks to an offensive surge from its trio of stars in DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and versatile sixth man Malik Monk. They combined for 18 points in the first quarter to help Sacramento build a 10-point lead at the end of the period.
Sacramento built a 17-point advantage by halftime, with Zach LaVine catching fire and pouring in 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Phoenix struggled to keep pace, relying on veteran guard Devin Booker to match LaVine’s scoring and prevent the game from slipping away in front of an anxious home crowd.
The third quarter flipped the momentum as Grayson Allen and Booker traded baskets, while Sacramento struggled to find its rhythm on offense. The Kings shot just 40% from the field and managed only 1-5 from beyond the arc. Without forward Keegan Murray, Sacramento’s lack of a three-point threat became painfully apparent, leading to a tough offensive quarter for the team.
These struggles continued into the fourth quarter as Sacramento went just 1-5 from deep while Phoenix shot an impressive 4-8, led by Allen and fellow veteran Royce O’Neale. This three-point output, along with some tough buckets by Dillon Brooks and Booker, helped head off the Kings’ comeback. Sacramento came close, however, as they tied the game at 110 a piece, with just 1:17 left in the fourth quarter. A series of clutch free throws from Brooks and Booker helped Phoenix slip away, and they escaped with a four-point victory against a depleted Kings team.
While the defeat is a disappointment for Sacramento, there are several positives to take, including erformances from DeRozan and LaVine, big offensive p who combined for 59 points while going 25-31 from the field. Monk added his usual double-digit scoring from the bench, and newly acquired Russell Westbrook brought his trademark energy off the bench. Westbrook will likely feature more for the Kings in the future, but he played just 18 minutes in his debut.
This is a team with a deep bench full of veteran talent that will be even more impressive when the injured starters return. Rookie Head Coach Doug Christie will have his hands full trying to balance this roster and find the right mix of veterans and youth, but he has a cadre of smart basketball players at his disposal.
Sacramento’s lack of size and three-point shooting, thanks to injury, was exposed against Phoenix, but should be less of a concern when Sabonis and Murray return to the lineup. They get a great chance at a bounce-back game in the home opener against a Utah team that is in a rebuild, but handed the Los Angeles Clippers a blowout defeat in their season opener.
