On Thursday afternoon, the NBA released its schedule for the 2025-26 season. For many, it was the first chance to make plans for the year ahead and start getting excited about what's next.
For the Sacramento Kings, it was a mixed bag.
The Kings are going to start the 2025-26 season facing off against a few Western Conference foes who may give them a tough run for their money right away. The start of the new campaign will not be a cakewalk for the team.
An 0-4 start would be a nightmare for the Kings
The Kings' season will start on October 22, when they battle the Phoenix Suns on the road. That game should be difficult but manageable. Remember, this isn't the Suns team from last year, and without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in the rotation, their lineup will still be finding its footing. The Kings could pull off a win here, but it wouldn't be shocking if they fall on their opening night.
The real challenge will come a few days later when the Kings have their first home game of the season against the Utah Jazz. On paper, this game looks like a breeze. After all, most people expect the Jazz to remain one of the worst teams in the league.
But not so fast, because Utah shouldn't be counted out. They may end up being an X-factor in the new year, and while they may not make it to the playoffs, they could be a team that surprises others and plays with more spirit and grit than expected. If the Kings fall to the Jazz at home, it'll send a shiver down the spines of all Sacramento fans.
Then come a couple of back-to-back games that could make life unbearable for the Kings. On October 26, they will take on the Los Angeles Lakers. With the new additions of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart alongside a healthy Luka Doncic and fully rested LeBron James, the Lakers might be a massive juggernaut in this game, especially just days into the season. Plus, this will be Jake LaRavia's first chance to remind the Kings what they are missing out on. Their showdown with LA could be painful.
However, that is only setting them up for the next night, when the Kings will travel to Oklahoma City to take on the reigning champion Thunder. Obviously the Kings are the underdogs here, and with good reason. Not only are the Thunder the best team in the West, but Sacramento will have played the night before. And their Thunder match is the first of a four-game road trip.
Beating the Suns is possible, and taking down the Jazz should be easy, but the Lakers and Thunder will be difficult opponents in the opening days of the season. It might not be a huge one, but there is a chance the Kings will go 0-4 at the start of 2025-26, and that will quickly sink the fanbase's already wavering morale.