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’ Overtime Struggles Against the Raptors
The Sacramento Kings faced a tough battle against the Toronto Raptors Saturday, ending in a 131-128 overtime loss. Despite the Kings’ relentless effort, self-inflicted mistakes were their downfall. The Raptors outplayed and outworked Sacramento, countering every move with precision. This game was a testament to the importance of mental focus and execution, especially in high-pressure situations.
De’Aaron Fox’s Critical Moment
De’Aaron Fox found himself at the center of controversy during the final moments of the game. With 8.9 seconds left, Fox had a chance to tie the game but missed a crucial three-pointer. He claimed the shot was tipped, but after reviewing the play multiple times, it’s hard to say definitively. Despite his struggles, including a poor shooting night and costly turnovers, Fox remains a key player for the Kings. His decision to take the final shot, rather than pass to Malik Monk, sparked debate among fans. However, as the team’s star, Fox is expected to step up in these moments, and his track record of clutch performances supports this expectation. There shouldn’t be any frustration with Fox taking that final shot.
Turnovers and Defensive Woes
Turnovers were a significant issue for the Kings, with 18 in total, leading to 26 points for the Raptors. These mistakes were largely unforced, highlighting a lack of mental sharpness. The Kings’ defense also struggled, particularly against the Raptors’ three-point shooting. Toronto, ranked 27th in the NBA for three-point shooting, managed to hit 46% from beyond the arc. This trend of poor perimeter defense has been a recurring problem for Sacramento, and it’s something that needs urgent attention.
The Kings’ defensive strategy often leads to scrambling, resulting in open shots for opponents. This breakdown in defense is something that needs to be addressed, whether through a change in philosophy or personnel adjustments. The Kings must find a way to tighten their defense and reduce turnovers if they hope to improve their performance in future games.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Kings’ performance and strategies, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
- Analysis of DeMar DeRozan’s performance and his impact on the game
- Discussion on the Kings’ approach and how it affected their gameplay
- Insights into the Raptors’ strategy and how they capitalized on the Kings’ mistakes
Reflections from Vince Carter’s jersey retirement night
The Toronto Raptors retired Vince Carter’s jersey on Saturday night. The ceremony came during half time of the Raptors-Kings game, where an emotional Carter and his family watched a banner with his number and the iconic photo of him mid-between-the-legs-dunk rise up to the rafters in the arena it all started in for him. That moment marked a culmination. Of a career, of a person’s trepidatious relationship with a city and its fan base, of a distinct era of NBA basketball and identity of a franchise, but also of a month’s worth of moments for Carter.
The Raptors made the announcement at a community basketball court dedication to Carter in late September, where franchise president Masai Ujiri thanked Carter for all he did to inspire the game in Canada and put the Raptors franchise on the map. “Time heals things,” Ujiri told the crowd before he confirmed Carter would be the first player in team history to have their number retired. Carter was overcome and fought back tears as he thanked the crowd, Ujiri and the city.
The tributes continued. Carter had an airplane dedicated to him by one of the country’s major airlines, Air Canada, in a nod to his nickname of the same. A mural was unveiled in downtown Toronto, and it was announced Carter would join as a broadcaster to provide coverage for select games this season — also the Raptors 30th anniversary season.
Given the host of accolades and recognition, I found it telling when Carter sat down in front of assembled media prior to Saturday night’s game for a pre-ceremony presser, and said he wasn’t sure what to expect of the night but encouraged everyone to “live in the moment”. I asked him, in light of every tribute and celebration thus far, how he was doing that or if his perception of the moment changed. He laughed. “I’m fighting,” he admitted.
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
Biz The NBA intentionally scheduled no games on U.S. Election Day (E! News)
Paul George’s Return Is A Huge Fantasy Basketball Boost
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Brett Davis-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to delve into the latest injury updates and player performances that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With only three games on Sunday, the anticipation builds for an action-packed 15-game day. Let’s explore the key developments and what they mean for your fantasy lineup.
Injury Updates: Key Players to Watch
Zach LaVine’s shoulder issues continue to be a concern, leaving his status questionable. This ongoing problem could affect his availability, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert’s ankle sprain opens opportunities for Naz Reid and Luka Garza, especially in deeper leagues. With Aaron Nesmith out and Andrew Nembhard questionable, Ben Mathurin and Jarace Walker are set to see increased roles, potentially stepping into starting positions or gaining extra minutes.
Lauri Markkanen’s return from back spasms is imminent, which is great news for fantasy managers. In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s absence isn’t surprising, but Paul George’s expected return is a significant development. Despite being listed as questionable, reports suggest George is ready to play, albeit with a possible minutes restriction. This isn’t a long-term injury, so expect him to be back in full swing soon.
Player Performances: Who’s Stepping Up?
The Detroit Pistons secured a road win against the Brooklyn Nets, showcasing improved play compared to last season. Jalen Duren stood out with a solid performance, contributing 13 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. His increased minutes were partly due to Isaiah Stewart fouling out, but it’s a positive sign for Duren’s fantasy value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
The Sacramento Kings Pass the Test in Atlanta Matt George breaks down the Sacramento Kings win in Atlanta, where the Hawks nearly pulled off the major comeback, but the Kings learned from early season mistakes and closed it out.
What’s Real or Fake About the Sacramento Kings’ Start to the Season Matt George is joined by Sports Illustrated writer & stat master Will Z to break down the numbers for the Sacramento Kings through the first 4 games and what really reflects who this team is.
The Key to Unlocking the Best Version of the Sacramento Kings Matt George breaks down the Sacramento Kings win in Utah, and how their approach to the last two games is the key to unlocking the very best that this team can be.
