The Golden 1 Center was buzzing Thursday night, but not in the way Sacramento Kings fans had hoped. The arena, once celebrated for its electric atmosphere, echoed with boos as the Kings faced a tough 131-94 defeat against the Orlando Magic. This reaction wasn’t just about the loss; it marked a historic low for the franchise with their 15th consecutive defeat.
Fans started heading for the exits with just under five minutes left on the clock, a scene captured by Kevin John of ABC 10. As the final buzzer sounded, the chorus of discontent only grew louder.
While Orlando set a franchise record with 27 made three-pointers, the real headline was Sacramento's continued struggles. The Kings haven’t tasted victory since January 16, and the once-iconic beam above the arena remains unlit.
Local media, including Frankie Cartoscelli from Sactown 1140 AM, are now bracing for the possibility of a record-setting season for all the wrong reasons. At 12-45, the Kings are on track to match their 2008-09 season's dismal record of 17-65.
Matt George, also of Sactown 1140 AM, highlighted the grim statistics that define this season. The Kings appear to be in the running for a top draft pick, eyeing talents like BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Kansas' Darryn Peterson, or Duke's Cam Boozer. However, with the NBA's increased scrutiny on player participation and tanking, this strategy could come under fire.
On the court, no Kings player scored more than 18 points. Rookie Maxime Raynaud led with 17, hinting at a possible shift towards a youth-focused lineup as the season winds down. Keegan Murray, returning from an ankle injury, added 15 points, while Precious Achiuwa and Malik Monk each contributed 14, and DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 13.
Despite six players hitting double digits, the night was overshadowed by the franchise's longest losing streak. For Kings fans, the once vibrant arena now stands as a reminder of a season they'd rather forget.