The Sacramento Kings’ preseason has not offered much comfort to anyone wearing purple and black, but there was at least something to build on in their latest loss.
Sacramento dropped a 110-98 decision to the Blazers, a result that looked much uglier at halftime before the Kings settled in and made it respectable. The preseason record is now 0-4, and a fifth loss is likely coming against the Spurs. Still, this one had more encouraging signs than the score might suggest.
Portland did most of its damage with Deni Avdija, Damian Lillard, and Ja Morant doing the heavy lifting. The three combined for almost half of the Blazers’ points, a strong early look at what the rest of the league may be dealing with from Portland, assuming health holds. “Looking at you, Dame D.O.L.L.A.”
Sacramento was also dealing with a thin lineup. At least two key players were out injured, and several others did not play for no apparent reason, including most of the Kings’ projected starters. Given that context, the loss came with a few real positives.
Precious Achiuwa and Jonathan Mogbo were two of the biggest bright spots. Both posted double-doubles.
Achiuwa finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Mogbo put up 15 points and 10 rebounds. Each also added four assists, one steal, and one block.
The rookies had their moments too. Emanuel Sharp scored 12 points and chipped in three rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Alex Karaban came close to a double-double himself, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
Tristan Newton also made his case. He matched Mogbo for Sacramento’s top scoring total with 15 points and added two rebounds, three assists, one steal, and zero turnovers. The King could use his hustle.
In all, seven of the 11 Kings who played reached double figures. Sacramento also controlled the offensive glass, grabbing 17 offensive rebounds to Portland’s nine. The next step is turning those extra chances into more points.
In Other News...
Kings Final Two-Way Choice Says Plenty About Their Roster Priorities
After weighing their preseason options, the Kings have turned their final two-way spot over to Leaky Black, waiving Isaiah Stevens in the process. Black, an undrafted 2023 forward who previously held a two-way deal with Washington, earned the look with a preseason showing that highlighted the kind of support skills Sacramento clearly values: defense, three-point shooting and rebounding.
The move also says plenty about where the roster is headed at the margins. With Black joining Adam Flagler and Jonathan Mogbo on two-way contracts, the Kings have filled all three of those slots with players who bring different complementary pieces, and Blacks arrival suggests the team is still sorting out which young role players can provide the most immediate help as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Just Gave Fans A New Defense First Name To Watch
The Kings have added another name to the roster mix, converting forward Leaky Blacks Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way deal. Sacramento had an open two-way spot to work with, so the move comes without any corresponding roster shuffle, and it gives the club a closer look at a player who has already logged NBA time with the Hornets and Wizards.
Black has also made a case for himself with the Kings in preseason and in the G League, where his defensive versatility has stood out enough to keep him in the conversation. For a team still sorting through the edges of its roster, the move gives Sacramento a low-risk way to keep evaluating a wing who fits the kind of depth every contender eventually needs. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Mogbo Is Forcing His Way Into A Real Kings Debate
Jonathan Mogbo has spent the preseason turning a two-way deal into something much more interesting for Sacramento. The 24-year-old forward has stood out in three appearances, using his length and athleticism to affect both ends of the floor while putting together a line that has caught the eye of the coaching staff.
For a Kings team still sorting out its regular-season rotation, that kind of early momentum matters. Injuries have left room for someone to push into the conversation, and Mogbo has done enough to make his case for minutes before the games start to count, even if the final answer is still being sorted out. [Read more 🡒]