Can the Kings Make It Five Straight? Here’s What to Watch for on Sunday
The Sacramento Kings are riding a wave of momentum that few saw coming just a week ago. After stumbling through the early part of January without a win, Sacramento has flipped the script and now enters Sunday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on a four-game tear. And this isn’t just a soft stretch against bottom-feeders - the Kings have taken down some heavy hitters along the way.
They kicked off the streak by outlasting a surging Houston Rockets team, then followed that up with statement wins over the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers - two squads that have been grinding out wins in the thick of the playoff race. Friday’s win over the Washington Wizards may not have carried the same weight, but it showed something else: Sacramento is finding ways to win, regardless of the opponent.
Now, with Portland coming to town, the Kings have a chance to make it five straight. The Blazers are hovering just below .500, but this isn’t a team to overlook. Still, Sacramento will walk into the Golden 1 Center as the clear favorite - and for good reason.
Here are three key storylines to keep an eye on as the Kings look to keep the streak alive:
1. Domantas Sabonis: Back in the Mix, and Making an Impact
If there were any concerns about Domantas Sabonis’ health, he squashed them in a hurry on Friday night. Coming off the bench in his return from injury, Sabonis delivered a performance that reminded everyone just how essential he is to this team’s identity.
He logged just 21 minutes, but those minutes were loud - 13 points, a commanding presence in the paint, and a noticeable shift in momentum the moment he checked in. Case in point: Sacramento was clinging to a 22-20 lead when Sabonis entered the game. By halftime, they had blown the doors open with a 41-22 run.
His knee didn’t appear to be an issue, and that opens the door for a potential bump in minutes on Sunday. Maxime Raynaud has held his own in the starting role, but Sabonis brings a different level of offensive orchestration and rebounding tenacity. Don’t be surprised if head coach Doug Christie leans more heavily on his All-Star big man this time around.
2. Will Russell Westbrook Take the Scoring Lead?
There’s been a bit of a back-and-forth going on between Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan when it comes to leading the team in scoring. Lately, it’s felt like a game of musical chairs - one night it’s DeRozan, the next it’s Westbrook.
If the pattern holds, Westbrook could be due for a big night. He’s been showing flashes of vintage Russ - attacking the rim with force, pushing the pace, and finding his rhythm in the midrange. But here’s the wrinkle: the last time he faced Portland, it was one of his quieter outings of the season.
That sets up an interesting subplot for Sunday. Westbrook has always been a player who responds to off nights with extra fire, and with the Kings clicking offensively, he could be the one to set the tone early.
3. Dennis Schroder’s Role on the Rise
Dennis Schroder made his return from a three-game suspension on Friday and wasted no time making his presence felt. Coming off the bench, he poured in 15 points, handed out five assists, and knocked down a pair of threes - all in just 20 minutes of action.
That kind of efficiency is exactly what Sacramento needs from its second unit, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Christie expand Schroder’s role against Portland. He’s proven he can be a spark plug, a steadying hand, and even a primary scorer when needed - just look at his 21-point performance the last time the Kings faced the Blazers.
With the rotation starting to solidify and key players returning to form, Schroder could be the X-factor that helps Sacramento maintain its offensive rhythm when the starters sit.
Bottom Line
The Kings are heating up at the right time, and Sunday’s matchup gives them a chance to keep building on that momentum. With Sabonis back in the fold, Westbrook eyeing a bounce-back performance, and Schroder providing instant offense off the bench, Sacramento is starting to look like a team that’s figuring things out.
Five straight wins? It’s right there for the taking.