Mat Issa

Mat Issa

Joined: Jun 1, 2024

Mat Issa is the Site Expert for A Royal Pain. Mat is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He went to Michigan State University for seven years, earning his Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctor. Now, he covers the NBA at large for Forbes, The Analyst, Basketball Insiders, and, of course, FanSided. His work has also been featured on ESPN, The Sporting News, and SB Nation, among other places. Yes, he spells his name with one "t."

Nov 24, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (left) and Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) battle for the ball during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Kings making multiple players available as they attempt to get back to contention

Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) passes against Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

LeBron James injury status and update ahead of Kings' game against Los Angeles Lakers

Dec 16, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

De'Aaron Fox gets called out from an unlikely source

Mike Bibby, Predrag Stojakovic, and Vlade Divac

Kings' record on Christmas Day reveals the NBA doesn't care about Sacramento

Feb 28, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Sacramento Kings may have the secret to stopping Nikola Jokic

Dec 16, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) and Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Aaron Gordon exposes the Sacramento Kings' biggest weakness

Oct 15, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11), forward Keegan Murray (13) and guard De'Aaron Fox (5) react to a play against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Sacramento Kings' record this time the last two years reveals that this core is losing its luster

Feb 14, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Jamal Murray injury status and update ahead of Sacramento Kings' game against Denver Nuggets

Oct 11, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) passes away from defensive pressure by Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

How the Sacramento Kings can emulate the Golden State Warriors

Oct 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Isaiah Crawford (24) dribbles the ball during the third quarter of NBA preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Don't forget about this stud the Sacramento Kings have waiting in the G-League

Mar 25, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) is interviewed after a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

The Sacramento Kings should be thankful that they aren't this team

Dec 12, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Advanced metric makes the Sacramento Kings' record look even worse than it is

Dec 12, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis (10) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Kings News: Team misses out on chance to make history, Sabonis' special game, & more

Apr 2, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shakes hands with head coach Willie Green during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Zion Williamson injury status and update ahead of Kings' game against the New Orleans Pelicans

Apr 14, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) defends Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (8) in the first quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Analyst suggest that the Sacramento Kings need a Keegan Murray clone

Dec 6, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) and forward DeMar DeRozan (10) embrace before a game the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

How to vote for Sacramento Kings players for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game