The Sacramento Kings end their eight-day rest. But is this game winnable for the 12-44 franchise?
The Sacramento Kings haven't lit the beam since Jan. 16.
They've received an eight-day rest period to end that streak. But also aim to end one notable skid.
Sacramento enters Thursday night against the Orlando Magic riding a 14-game slide. That mark matches the 1971-72 skid made by the franchise when they were known as the Cincinnati Royals. One more loss marks a new franchise low.
Furthermore, the Kings may become tempted to improve their chances at landing the top overall pick in the June NBA Draft. However, Adam Silver sent out a warning on that front to teams that even think about "tanking."
The "T" word is attached to the Kings by fans and analysts amid their dismal 12-44 record. Silver and the league office will be monitoring teams that violate player participation rules. Silver already came down on the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz with slapping fines to both.
The 2025-26 season looks like a throwaway year anyway. Domantas Sabonis is now officially out after undergoing season-ending surgery on his knee. Zach LaVine is also in a similar situation by undergoing hand surgery to end his season.
If anything, the Kings will welcome back Keegan Murray. Which will benefit veteran DeMar DeRozan in the front court.
"I think it’s a big opportunity for me just to kind of grow as a player,” Murray said to reporters on Wednesday. “I mean, with DeMar these last couple years, [De’Aaron] Fox guys like that, I haven’t been able to take those big shots and things like that and those in those moments…. just to be able to grow in those moments and be able to make and take shots that win or lose games. I think that’s the thing that I haven’t really done in my career so far.”
But Murray is walking into a game where his Kings are a 8.5-point underdog per FanDuel Sports.
Sacramento has battled a mix of injuries, youth, and a disorganized rotation under head coach Doug Christie. Theories of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer and now Kingston Flemings continue to manifest for the Kings fanbase.
NBC Sports California will air the contest scheduled for 7 p.m. PT. FanDuel Sports Florida will also air it for Magic fans.
Unfortunately for the Kings, it's looking like a 15th straight loss is on deck.
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