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.
Kings Stun Heat in Double OT Thriller: A Turning Point for Sacramento’s Season?
Something special is brewing in Sacramento. The Kings battled back from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Miami Heat in double overtime, securing their fifth straight victory. This win feels like more than just another notch in the win column – it could be the turning point that propels the Kings to where we all thought they should be this season.
Down 85-68 with just over 10 minutes left in regulation, the Kings mounted an incredible 24-7 run to force overtime. The drama didn’t end there, as the teams traded blows through two extra periods before Sacramento emerged victorious, 123-118.
What makes this win even more impressive is that the Kings did it without their star point guard, De’Aaron Fox, who missed his second straight game with a glute contusion. In his absence, several players stepped up in crucial moments.
Keon Ellis was the unsung hero of the night, making winning play after winning play. His hustle, defense, and timely shooting embodied everything Sacramento fans love about their team. Ellis finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block – a stat line that doesn’t even fully capture his impact on the game.
DeMar DeRozan struggled for much of the night but came alive when it mattered most. He scored 9 points on perfect 4-for-4 shooting in the second overtime period to seal the win for Sacramento.
Domantas Sabonis continued his stellar play with a monster triple-double: 21 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists. He even knocked down a crucial three-pointer late in the game, showcasing his improved shooting touch.
Interim head coach Doug Christie has instilled two key demands in his players since taking over: play hard for the city and believe in yourself. Tonight, the Kings exemplified both of those qualities in spades.
This victory pulls Sacramento to within half a game of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. While there’s still plenty of work to be done, this feels like the moment we’ll look back on as the catalyst for the Kings’ resurgence.
For more insights and a deeper dive into this thrilling victory, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
• The importance of offensive rebounding in the comeback
• Doug Christie’s tactical challenges against Erik Spoelstra’s zone defense
• The Oakland A’s visit to Golden 1 Center and the debate over “beam rights”
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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.
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Roster The Sacramento Kings have waived Orlando Robinson, creating an open roster spot and additional salary space. This move could signal upcoming adjustments to the team composition. (Kings Herald)
Replay In an electrifying game, the Sacramento Kings managed to force double OT and beat the Heat, finishing with a 123-118 victory. This thrilling comeback highlights the team’s resilience. (Kings Herald)
Roster To optimize their roster and salary cap, the Kings have waived a center. This strategic move may pave the way for future acquisitions. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis DeMar DeRozan praised his standout teammate after the Kings’ victory over the Heat. His recognition sheds light on the team’s internal dynamics and individual performances. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor Despite a five-game winning streak, the Kings are not super active in the trade market. This cautious approach could mean the team is confident in its current roster. (Bleacher Report)
Prediction Updated win-loss predictions suggest varied outcomes for every team, with the Kings’ future performance being closely watched. Fans can anticipate an exciting remainder of the season. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
Making Sense of This Sacramento Kings Season with Morgan Ragan Matt George is joined by Sacramento Kings television host/analyst & co-host of the Deuce & Mo Podcast Morgan Ragan to discuss the ups and downs of this Kings season, the incoming trade deadline, and how postseason expectations have/haven’t changed.
The Sacramento Kings are Exploring Trading De’Aaron Fox Matt George reacts to the breaking news that the Sacramento Kings have had trade conversations involving De’Aaron Fox and that Fox has a preferred destination in mind.
De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis Silence the Critics in Brooklyn Matt George discusses De’Aaron Fox’s bounce-back performance after facing heavy criticism, and another monster triple double for Domantas Sabonis, who continues to be disrespected around the NBA.