The Sacramento Kings have had a challenging season, starting from their first game of the 2025-2026 campaign. But last night's game against the Hornets added a new twist to their narrative. With nine active players and eight sidelined due to injuries, the Kings managed to win two consecutive games, shaking up the league standings a bit.
While Sacramento is still holding the worst record in the Western Conference, their back-to-back victories nudged them up slightly, leaving the Pacers at the bottom of the league. This shift has sparked conversations among fans and analysts about the potential impact on the Kings' draft lottery prospects. Staying in the league's bottom three is crucial, as it ensures a 14% chance of securing the coveted number one pick.
The real intrigue lies in the possibility of Sacramento inadvertently climbing out of those bottom three slots if they continue winning while other struggling teams keep losing. Such a scenario could jeopardize their draft position, pushing them to the fourth spot and out of prime lottery contention.
The question on everyone's mind: Are the Kings tanking or just having a rough season?
Last night's game raised eyebrows, particularly from a tanking perspective. With eight players out, including some with long-term injuries, the absence of Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, and Devin Carter was notable. Carter, in particular, was coming off a stellar performance against the Pacers, making his absence even more puzzling.
The Kings cited "general soreness" as the reason for benching these key players. Both Monk and Westbrook have been nursing persistent injuries, and Carter did seem to tweak something late in the Pacers game. However, resting all three after a two-game winning streak does raise questions.
Despite the timing, there's no concrete evidence suggesting the Kings intentionally lost to the Hornets. With a record of 16-51, their struggles seem to come naturally without needing any extra effort to lose. The situation remains a curious subplot in a season filled with challenges for Sacramento.