Kings Fall to Warriors in Third Straight Loss
SAN FRANCISCO – Kings fall to Warriors in third straight loss as their defensive struggles continued in a 130-104 defeat at Chase Center on Thursday night (March 14). Just days after a crushing loss to the New York Knicks, Sacramento once again failed to contain their opponents, raising concerns as they fight to secure a playoff spot.
The defeat against the four-time NBA champions wasn’t the worst part, especially with Domantas Sabonis still sidelined due to a strained hamstring. It was how they lost that was most concerning.
Sacramento’s season-long defensive struggles were on full display. The Warriors repeatedly found easy, wide-open shots, and even when the Kings tried to tighten up, Golden State’s offense proved unstoppable.
Surprisingly, Stephen Curry wasn’t Sacramento’s biggest issue. Although the NBA superstar reached a career milestone with his 4,000th three-pointer, it was the Warriors’ supporting cast that truly overwhelmed the Kings.
On the positive side, DeMar DeRozan continued his strong form with 23 points and seven assists. Keon Ellis added 18 points off the bench, while Zach LaVine and Jake LaRavia chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Phoenix Showdown Looms
The Kings (33-32) won’t have much time to reflect on this loss, as they travel to Phoenix for a crucial matchup against the Suns on Friday. Despite the defeat, Sacramento still holds the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, while the Suns remain in the fight for a play-in tournament spot.
Sacramento started strong, managing to contain Curry. However, their defensive focus on him left other Warriors’ shooters open, and they made the Kings pay.
Draymond Green, Moses Moody, and Buddy Hield each drained four three-pointers, while Quinten Post and Gary Payton II hit three apiece. The Kings trailed by 23 points in the first half before a late second-quarter push made the score more respectable. But Golden State quickly regained control in the third quarter and cruised to an easy victory.
Defensive Struggles Continue
Sacramento’s perimeter defense was virtually nonexistent. Warriors shooters repeatedly found themselves wide open, whether in the corners or at the top of the arc and capitalized on those opportunities.
Defending the three-point line has been an ongoing issue for the Kings, something former coach Mike Brown frequently criticized. If they don’t fix it soon, Sacramento’s postseason run could be short-lived.
No Sabonis, No Interior Presence
Sabonis’ absence was once again painfully evident. Without him, the Kings lacked a strong presence inside, both offensively and defensively.
Within the first 10 minutes, Sacramento had already been blocked four times at the rim. Although they initially found some success scoring inside, they soon settled for contested jumpers and low-percentage shots.
Jonas Valančiūnas stepped in for Sabonis but managed only five points and nine rebounds. Sabonis’ ability to score both in the post and from outside was sorely missed. However, interim coach Doug Christie remains optimistic about his return.
Malik Monk Struggles in Second Game Back
Making his second consecutive start after missing three games due to a toe injury, Malik Monk had a tough night. He finished with just seven points on 3-of-13 shooting (0-for-5 from beyond the arc) but still contributed four rebounds and six assists.
Monk has built a strong reputation as an explosive bench scorer but has also been effective in the starting lineup. Despite his struggles against the Warriors, keeping him with the starters could help the Kings regain momentum.
With a critical matchup against the Suns approaching, Sacramento must regroup quickly. If they hope to secure their play-in position and push deeper into the playoffs, fixing their defensive woes and rediscovering their form will be crucial.
For more updates, visit the official Sacramento Kings website.