The Sacramento Kings are navigating a challenging season, and their latest setback-a 139-122 loss to the San Antonio Spurs-extends their winless streak to 16 games. This rough patch has drawn the attention of Charles Barkley, who didn't shy away from critiquing their performance.
The Kings' recent opponents haven't all been powerhouses. Before falling to the Spurs and Orlando Magic, Sacramento faced the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz, teams more likely to be eyeing top draft picks than playoff berths.
Yet, despite the Pelicans and Jazz holding the third and second-worst records in the Western Conference, respectively, Sacramento suffered significant defeats. The Pelicans handed them a 120-94 loss on February 9, followed by a 121-93 drubbing by the Jazz two days later.
Throughout this losing streak, the Kings have faced a diverse array of opponents, falling to over half the league in just over a month. While this might seem dire, there's a silver lining for Sacramento-they retain their first-round draft pick.
This is crucial, especially after losing key players Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and De'Andre Hunter to season-ending injuries. These setbacks, while unfortunate, enhance their odds in the upcoming NBA draft lottery.
The Kings recently set a new franchise record for consecutive losses and are poised to extend it further as they face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, kicking off a five-game road trip.