A Royal Pain
Fansided

The Sacramento Kings do something that they haven't done in nearly two years

By Mat Issa

Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) attempts get the rebound against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) attempts get the rebound against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

The Sacramento Kings have gotten off to a nightmare start to the 2024-25 regular season, as they have played two games and lost both of them by a combined total of six points. First, in their home opener, they lost 117-115 to the Minnesota Timberwolves (ruining DeMar DeRozan's debut). Then, on Saturday, the Kings experienced another heart-breaking defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers, falling 131-127.

The end of a great win streak against the Los Angeles Lakers

The latter loss to the Lakers marks the first time in nearly two years that the Kings have not come away with a win against the Purple and Gold. Last season, the Kings won all four of the two team's meetings against each other. Three of those four wins were by double digits. The Kings also won the last meeting between the two teams in 2022-23. On Wednesday, January 18, the Kings beat the Lakers 116-111.

The last time the Lakers beat our Kings was on Saturday, January 7. In that game, the Lakers narrowly escaped that week with a 136-134 win. That means that 658 days elapsed between the last time the Lakers beat the Kings and yesterday's victory.

Before that, the Kings won the last three encounters. So, before Saturday's game, the Kings had won eight of the last nine matchups between the two teams.

The Lakers are becoming a real threat in the West

Yesterday's win bumps the Lakers' record up to 3-0. Under their new head coach, JJ Redick, the Lakers have looked like a brand new team, becoming one of the most versatile/creative offenses in the sport.

Their emergence throws a major wrench in the Kings' plans to win the division and make some noise in the Western Conference. Heading into the season, the Kings looked like a frontrunner to win the division. Meanwhile, it seemed like the only teams they truly had to worry about in the West were the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets. If the Lakers are forreal, that's another obstacle for the Kings to overcome.

The Kings will have their next chance to enter the win column on Monday, October 28, as they play host to the Portland Trail Blazers (10 PM EST).

feed

Home/Kings News