The Sacramento Kings traveled to New Orleans to face the Pelicans, losing 149-129, despite Marvin Bagley III’s career game.
Recap
Marvin Bagley III finally got a chance to play for the Sacramento Kings tonight and despite the lopsided loss, he certainly looked worthy of being the second overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Bagley did a little bit of everything, putting up 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block in a game that got out of hand late
Everything started out well for Sacramento as they were able to keep pace with New Orleans for much of the first half despite neither side playing any defense. The up-tempo play style and excellent passing showed up throughout the first quarter, even with Sacramento going deep into their bench early on.
Bagley was the first man off the bench for the Kings, making an immediate impact. Despite some lapses on defense while checking Julius Randle, Bagley put up 10 points, two steals, one rebound and one block in nine minutes of play on a perfect 3-3 shooting.
More from Kings News
- 3 Ways Chris Duarte improves the Kings chances in 2023-24
- Bleacher Report crazily lists Kings’ All-Star as “most overrated NBA player”
- Kings and Heat fans clash on Twitter to debate All-Star players
- Sacramento Kings’ Chris Duarte playing in 2023 FIBA World Cup
- 3 Young players the Kings must develop, 2 to give up on
Anthony Davis was big reason the Kings were unable to get out to an early lead as he destroyed the Kings bigs from all over the court, finishing with 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.
The poor defense gave the Pelicans easy looks and also allowed the Pels to drive in and draw fouls at an alarming rate. 15 fouls were called in the first quarter alone, though that accounts for both sides.
Sacramento went 11-players deep into its bench in the first half, with 10 of those playing five minutes or more.
De’Aaron Fox did his best to help the Kings claw back in the third quarter pouring in nine points, but things got out of hand quickly for the Kings. They ended the third down 110-89, despite 19 points from Bagley and 16 total from Fox.
The Kings gave up an additional 39 points in the fourth, cementing a second-straight loss to open the season, falling to the Pelicans by a score that looks more like something you’d see during All-Star Weekend.