The Sacramento Kings suffered their 16th consecutive defeat on Saturday night, falling to the San Antonio Spurs 139-122. This loss deepens the team’s ongoing struggles, with their current record leaving them holding the worst mark in the league at 12 wins. In comparison, the next closest teams, the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers, each have 15 victories.
During the game, Sacramento found itself trailing closely at 88-89 with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter. However, the Spurs quickly pulled away, establishing a 14-point lead by the end of the third, which they maintained through to the final buzzer.
Maxime Raynaud contributed solidly for the Kings, recording 16 points and 12 rebounds in 26 minutes. Teammate Keegan Murray added 20 points over 36 minutes of play. Defensively, the Kings struggled, allowing the Spurs to score a remarkable 74 points in the paint. On the opposing side, Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with an impressive performance, finishing with 28 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks. De’Aaron Fox, a former Kings player who is now thriving in San Antonio, scored 18 points with 5 assists.
The Kings are now on pace to challenge the lowest winning percentage in franchise history, which dates back to the 2008-09 season when they finished with a .207 mark and 17 wins. Currently, the Kings hold a .211 winning percentage with a 12-45 record, making fans ponder whether they can muster five more victories as the season progresses. The upcoming schedule may offer some reprieve, but the recent form makes any expectations of wins seem daunting.
While the defeat continues to highlight the challenges ahead for Sacramento, there remains hope that a shift in fortunes could be around the corner. As the Kings look to regroup and find their rhythm, fans will be keeping a close eye on the remainder of the season for any signs of improvement.