Matt George here, the host of the daily Locked On Kings podcast, with your daily Locked On Kings newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Kings and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Sacramento Kings Light Their First Beam: A Defensive Triumph
The Sacramento Kings pulled off a hard-fought victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, lighting up the city with their iconic beam. After a challenging first half, the Kings found their rhythm, showcasing a stellar defensive performance that set the tone for the rest of the game. The third quarter was a turning point, with the team shooting an impressive 61% from the field, a testament to their resilience and determination.
DeMar DeRozan’s Impact
DeMar DeRozan was instrumental in this win, not only being the one to light the first beam of the season, but also leading the charge with his ability to draw fouls and score consistently. His presence on the court slowed the game down, allowing the Kings to capitalize on free throws, a crucial factor in maintaining their lead. DeRozan’s knack for getting to the foul line was evident as he went 9 of 10 from the line in the first half alone. His defensive contributions, including three steals, further highlighted his all-around impact on the game.
Kevin Huerter’s Standout Performance
Kevin Huerter delivered what I’d consider to be a near-perfect performance, contributing 18 points and demonstrating his defensive prowess with three blocks. His ability to make the right reads and distribute the ball effectively was crucial in keeping the Kings’ offense alive during the sluggish first half. Huerter’s defensive activity, including leading the team in deflections, showcased his commitment to both ends of the floor. His performance was a key factor in the Kings’ ability to maintain control and eventually pull away from the Trail Blazers.
The Kings’ victory was not just about individual performances but also about the team’s collective effort to outwork their opponents. Both De’Aaron Fox and Huerter emphasized the importance of playing with desperation and not being outworked, a mindset that was evident throughout the game. This approach is crucial for the Kings as they aim to build on this win and carry the momentum into their upcoming road trip.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Sacramento Kings’ season opener, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
- De’Aaron Fox’s milestone achievement of reaching 10,000 career points.
- Analysis of Keegan Murray’s rebounding efforts and his impact on the game.
- Discussion on the Kings’ upcoming road trip and the opportunities it presents.
- Insights into the team’s strategy and mindset going forward.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) shoots the ball while being defended by New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) and New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at Madison Square Garden|Photo by John Jones-Imagn Images
Darius Garland in the Garden, it has a nice ring to it. Less than ringing though, the dominant sounds in the Cavs win last night against the Knicks were thuds, the deep resonance of bodies colliding in motion and feet, seconds before airborne, hitting the floor.
Garland welcomed contact all game but stepped it up in the fourth quarter, picking a Jalen Brunson dead set on steamrolling to the basket up at mid-court and forcing Brunson to slow through him. Garland stripped the ball by making Brunson absolutely stuck, deceleration via sucking all the momentum out of him. Garland used it at both ends, this method of forcing the tempo to control the game. Went downhill offensively, tip-toeing to the baseline for an off-balance layup or shouldering though defenders, drawing them close, just to snap the ball backward to Jarrett Allen now with a clean runway to the rim.
You’re likely familiar with Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the concept that to achieve self-actualization people must have their basic needs met first. Carl Rogers put a light spin on the theory, arguing instead that humans innately hold the tendency toward self-actualization, but that their environment dictates whether or not they’ll realize it. I’ll admit that my perspective of the Cavs has long been biased — I am embarrassingly fond of Jarrett Allen, and have been since he and Caris LeVert created identity out of nothing for the Nets — but what we’re seeing now through the first four games of this season, this fleet-footed dominance, this assurance through deep skill, was not gifted by gaining Donovan Mitchell, but has been here all along.
Without a doubt, Mitchell nudged something in Cleveland. Athletes with the star quality of Mitchell tend to move like self-contained environments (sometimes universes), and the people around necessarily adapt. This is where Rogers’ theory kicks in. What the Cavs had pre-Mitchell were the same hard-fought talents, perhaps a little more raw, less controlled, the same belief that they were good enough to not just be hanging around at the top by fluke but securing their spot up there. Mitchell brought with him from Utah an environment of self-actualization and it fit perfectly with what the Cavs already created: tight-knit trust in each other, quiet confidence, never the loudest or flashiest but emphatic in their actions.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Milestone De’Aaron Fox scored his 10,000th point as a King last night. He joins Oscar Robertson, Jack Twyman, Mitch Richmond and Tiny Archibald as the only members of the franchise to achieve that feat. It took Fox 472 games to get there. Congrats, De’Aaron!(Sacramento Bee)
Fans Want to go to a game at Golden 1 Center? Get your wallet ready. Bookies.com says a Kings game will set you back roughly $278. That’s for four tickets, parking, two beers, two sodas, and two hot dogs. It’s lower than the NBA average of $320.
Fantasy Basketball Impact Of Taylor Hendricks’ Injury
Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks (0) is taken off the court after suffering a leg injury during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center.|Photo by Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
NBA Fantasy Insights: Injury Woes and Lineup Shifts
The NBA landscape is ever-changing, and today was no exception with 11 games on the slate. The most significant development was the devastating injury to Taylor Hendricks. The young Utah Jazz player suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle, effectively ending his season. This injury is a massive blow, not just for Hendricks but for the Jazz, who will now need to adjust their lineup significantly. John Collins is expected to step up, likely taking on more minutes at the power forward position. Cody Williams might also see increased usage, although his impact remains to be seen.
Golden State Warriors’ Injury Concerns
The Golden State Warriors are facing their own set of challenges with Steph Curry and De’Anthony Melton sidelined for the next two games. Andrew Wiggins is also questionable with a back problem, which could further deplete their roster. This situation opens up opportunities for players like Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green to step up. The Warriors’ rotation is shrinking, and it’s crucial for fantasy managers to keep an eye on these developments. The absence of key players might also mean more playing time for lesser-known names like Lindy Waters and Reece Beekman, who could be worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.
Click the button below to find out about two Magic stars that you should snap up.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
LeBron James & Terrible Defense Kills the Sacramento Kings Matt George reacts to the Sacramento Kings loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, where LeBron James went crazy in the 4th quarter while the Kings defense completely fell apart.
The Sacramento Kings’ Winning Plays Erased by 2nd Half Mistakes Matt George reacts to the Sacramento Kings’ season opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the Kings did so much right but were unable to close with a victory.
Kevin Huerter is Back & Will Start for the Sacramento Kings Matt George reacts to the good news out of Sacramento Kings practice that Kevin Huerter & Trey Lyles are back, and the surprising news that Huerter will be right back into the starting lineup.
