Welcome to your morning update on the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings have had a mixed run recently, winning four of their last nine games, leaving fans curious about what this means for their lottery prospects. As the regular season winds down, the focus will shift to the draft lottery odds.
Currently, the bottom three teams each have a 14% chance of securing the top pick, with the fourth and fifth teams having 12.5% and 10% chances, respectively. The Kings, sitting at 16-51, are tied for the second fewest wins, positioning them well in the lottery standings.
In practice news, Dylan Cardwell returned to the court after an ankle sprain, sharing his excitement with the media. Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook also returned to practice, with Westbrook expected to play against the Clippers on Saturday.
The decision on Monk's return is still pending. Meanwhile, Keegan Murray's status remains in question as he approaches re-evaluation for his ankle injury.
Reflecting on Wednesday night's game, the Kings' brief two-game winning streak was snapped by the Charlotte Hornets, with a final score of 117-109. Here are six quick takeaways from the game:
- DeRozan's Flashback: DeMar DeRozan turned back the clock, scoring 39 points on an efficient 17-of-22 shooting, proving he still has plenty left in the tank.
- Daeqwon's Impact: Daeqwon Plowden continues to impress with his defensive skills and clutch shooting, contributing 13 points and hitting 3-of-7 from beyond the arc.
- Clifford's Endurance: Nique Clifford logged heavy minutes once again, showing resilience with 18 points and 8 assists, despite the back-to-back games.
- Achiuwa's Hustle: Precious Achiuwa was a force on the boards, grabbing 8 rebounds and adding 14 points, demonstrating his value on the glass.
- Hayes' Hot Start: In his first start, Killian Hayes came out aggressive, scoring the Kings' first 7 points, finishing with 11 points and 4 assists.
- Raynaud's Struggles: Maxime Raynaud had a tough night offensively but made his presence felt defensively with 3 blocks, adding to his recent defensive contributions.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Kings continue their journey through the season.