The Sacramento Kings are riding a rollercoaster this season, and right now, they’re back on the descent. After stringing together four straight wins to open their current home stand - a stretch that featured gutsy victories over the Rockets, Lakers, and Knicks - the Kings have stumbled again, dropping two straight to the Trail Blazers and Heat. And with the schedule tightening up, things aren’t getting any easier from here.
Let’s rewind for a second. That four-game win streak was a rare spark in what’s been a challenging season.
The Kings came out swinging, taking down three playoff-caliber teams in a row. The win over the Rockets showed defensive grit, the Lakers game was a back-and-forth battle that Sacramento managed to close out late, and the Knicks - who had been surging - got caught off guard by a Kings team playing with renewed energy.
The fourth win, against the Wizards, felt more routine, but still - four straight is four straight, and for a team sitting near the bottom of the standings, that kind of momentum matters.
But just as quickly as things turned around, they turned right back. The loss to Portland wasn’t exactly a surprise - the Blazers have had Sacramento’s number this season, and this latest defeat marked the third time they’ve beaten the Kings.
Then came the Heat, who flipped the script from their last matchup. In that earlier meeting, Zach LaVine exploded for 42 points to carry Sacramento to a win.
This time around, Miami clamped down, and the Kings didn’t have an answer.
Now, there’s one more chance to salvage something from this home stand - a matchup tonight with the Toronto Raptors. Toronto’s been one of the more consistent teams in the East this season, currently sitting fourth in the conference and playing with the kind of cohesion Sacramento’s still searching for. It’s a tough test, no doubt, but a win here could be a much-needed shot of confidence before the Kings hit the road.
And that road trip? It’s a gauntlet.
After tonight, the Kings will pack their bags for a six-game swing that includes first meetings with the Cavaliers and 76ers - two teams that bring elite defensive pressure and playoff-level intensity. Then it’s back into familiar territory with games against the Knicks, Celtics, Wizards, and Pistons. Boston is a title contender, Cleveland and Philly are no joke, and even the teams with losing records - like Washington and Detroit - have shown they can be dangerous, especially at home.
There’s also a bit of revenge hanging in the air. The Kings recently beat both the Knicks and Wizards, so you can bet those teams will be circling the rematch on their calendars.
And with Sacramento sitting at 12-32, wins aren’t coming easy. This team has pulled off some surprises - those recent wins over playoff hopefuls weren’t flukes - but consistency remains elusive.
Realistically, expecting wins over the Cavs, Celtics, Sixers, or even the Pistons might be a stretch. The Knicks are struggling right now, so there’s a window there.
And the Wizards? They’re one of just three teams in the league with a worse record than Sacramento, so that could be a chance to steal one on the road.
But before looking too far ahead, tonight’s game against Toronto looms large. A win would send the Kings out on the road with at least a little momentum and help shake off the sting of back-to-back losses. For a team trying to build something - anything - positive in a season that’s been full of stops and starts, that kind of morale boost could go a long way.