Sacramento Kings’ Spiral Continues: 13 Straight Losses and a Franchise Record in Sight
It’s been nearly a month since the Sacramento Kings last tasted victory-and at this point, that win feels like a distant memory.
After riding high on a four-game winning streak back in mid-January, the Kings have come crashing down in dramatic fashion, dropping 13 straight games. That ties the longest losing streak of the Sacramento era (1985-present), and if they can’t right the ship in Utah on Wednesday, they’ll match the all-time franchise record of 14 consecutive losses.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a cold stretch. This is a full-on freefall.
At 12-43, Sacramento has already surpassed last season’s loss total (42), and there’s still a lot of basketball left to be played. They’re firmly anchored at the bottom of the NBA standings, and the numbers don’t lie-the Kings are on pace for one of the worst finishes in franchise history.
Echoes of 2008-09
The last time things looked this bleak in Sacramento, it was the 2008-09 season. That team stumbled to a 17-65 finish, the worst since the franchise moved to Northern California. And as if that season wasn’t painful enough, the Kings didn’t even land the No. 1 overall pick-Blake Griffin went to the Clippers, and Sacramento was left wondering what could’ve been.
Fast forward to today, and the Kings are hoping history doesn’t repeat itself. The upcoming NBA Draft is loaded at the top, with names like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson drawing serious buzz. Any one of those prospects could be a cornerstone for a rebuild-but as Kings fans know all too well, lottery luck is never guaranteed.
Injuries, Instability, and Inconsistency
Injuries have played a big role in this collapse. Sacramento hasn’t had its full projected starting five on the floor together at any point this season. Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, and Zach LaVine have all missed time, and when your core pieces are constantly in and out of the lineup, it’s tough to build any kind of rhythm.
But it’s not just the injuries. The roster construction has left the Kings exposed in too many areas.
At times, they’ve simply been outclassed-overmatched by deeper, more cohesive teams. The result?
A 13-game losing streak that feels as much about identity as it is about talent.
Where This Streak Stands in Franchise History
To put this skid in context, let’s look at the longest losing streaks in Kings franchise history, dating all the way back to their roots:
- 1971-72 Cincinnati Royals - 14 straight losses Hall of Fame guard Bob Cousy was coaching that team, which dropped 14 in a row between December and January. They still managed to finish 30-52, a mark that looks almost optimistic compared to where this year’s Kings are trending.
- 1959-60 Cincinnati Royals - 14 straight losses That squad mirrored the struggles of the early ‘60s, finishing with just 19 wins for the second straight season. They bounced back into the playoffs two years later, but it was a long road.
- 1990-91 Sacramento Kings - 13 straight losses This streak actually straddled two seasons-six straight losses to end ’89-90, followed by seven more to open the next year. The Kings didn’t return to the playoffs until the 1995-96 season, where they ran into the buzzsaw that was the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round.
- 2025-26 Sacramento Kings - 13 straight losses (and counting) That brings us to the present.
With one more loss, the current Kings will tie the franchise record. Two more, and they’ll own it outright.
What’s Next?
There’s no quick fix here. First-year general manager Scott Perry is taking the long view, and honestly, that’s the only realistic approach. This roster needs a reset, and that takes time, patience, and smart moves in the draft and on the trade market.
Securing a top-four pick in this year’s draft would be a strong step forward. Continued development from young players like Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell is also key. And if Sacramento can flip veterans for future assets or promising young talent, even better.
Right now, this team is playing for the future. That’s not what fans want to hear in February, but it’s the truth. The Kings are on track for a high lottery pick, and while that’s not a guarantee of success, it’s an opportunity-one they can’t afford to miss.
The Road Ahead
The Kings close out their pre-All-Star schedule on Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz. A loss would tie the franchise’s all-time losing streak at 14 games. After that, they’ll get a brief break before returning home to face the Orlando Magic, then hit the road for a tough four-game trip through the West.
Upcoming Kings Schedule:
- **Wednesday, Feb.
11** - @ Utah Jazz - 6:00 PM PT
- Thursday, Feb. 19 - vs.
Orlando Magic - 7:00 PM PT
- **Saturday, Feb.
21** - @ San Antonio Spurs - 5:00 PM PT
- **Monday, Feb.
23** - @ Memphis Grizzlies - 5:00 PM PT
- **Wednesday, Feb.
25** - @ Houston Rockets - 5:00 PM PT
Whether or not this team ties-or breaks-the record, the message is clear: the Kings are at rock bottom. But if there’s any silver lining, it’s that rock bottom can be the first step toward rebuilding something better.
For the fans who’ve stuck through this brutal stretch, the hope is that this is the low point-because from here, there’s only one direction left to go.