Injuries create openings. Daeqwon Plowden seizes the moment, delivering career-high scoring streaks and proving his NBA readiness for the shorthanded Sacramento Kings.
In an injury-riddled season for the Sacramento Kings (19-55), many young players have stepped up for the team, including Daeqwon Plowden, who's showing he belongs in the NBA.
The reserve guard, who signed a two-way deal with Sacramento in July 2025, is coming off a career-high performance against the Orlando Magic. He scored 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting and went 6-for-10 from 3-point range.
The 6-foot-6 wing is averaging 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 29.3 minutes while shooting 37.2 percent from beyond the arc, with 6.5 3-pointers a game in March.
Injuries to guards Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook and Nique Clifford, and forward Keegan Murray have created opportunities that Plowden and his young teammates are taking advantage of.
"We're all using it as an opportunity to grow our game and continue to grow chemistry," Plowden said during a postgame press conference following last week's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. "We've had a good long year and whatnot, so this is definitely an opportunity for us to continue to try to grow our chemistry and just try to gain that experience out there on the floor."
Plowden has scored 10 points or more in the last nine games for the Kings, playing a crucial part in four of their most recent wins. He's been on a three-game tear, averaging 21.6 points on 57-percent shooting from the field and 50-percent from 3-point range.
An undrafted free agent out of Bowling Green in 2022, Plowden is technically in his second year in the NBA, after playing with the Atlanta Hawks briefly in 2025. His two-way contract with the Kings gives the team's G-League affiliate, the Stockton Kings, his return right should Sacramento waive him.
Plowden has joined teammates DeMar DeRozan, Maxime Raynaud, LaVine and Westbrook, in scoring 20 points or more in three or more straight games.
Although some of Sacramento's veterans are injured, they are imparting their wisdom on Plowden, which broadened his understanding of the game.
"A lot of people kind of get it misconstrued sometimes, but you know those guys are household names that have been around the league," Plowden said. "They drop gems to me about scoring positioning, about defense, about coverages that they've seen over the years."
Plowden is having a career year with the Kings and may have found a home in Sacramento. Coach Doug Christie and Plowden built a relationship last summer.
Christie recalled a moment during Summer League last year, when he pulled Plowden to the side, looked him in his eyes, and affirmed his standing in the league.
"Those are moments that it's probably uncomfortable, but I like looking at him right in his eyes. And I said, 'You belong here,'" Christie told reporters after the loss to the Magic.
Plowden showcased his talent with the Stockton Kings, averaging 22.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
As the injuries piled up for the Kings, they called him up, andsince February, he has earned consistent minutes.
Plowden scored 16 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and 19 against both the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks.
The 27-year-old Philadelphia native has become a reliable player for Sacramento amid the team's rash of injuries. His recent play supports Christie's sentiment that he belongs in the NBA, and he'll continue to make the most of the opportunities provided to him.
Plowden and the Kings continue their five-game road trip, as their next stop is against the Hawks (41-32) on Saturday at the State Farm Arena.
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