Looking to avoid their seventh-straight loss, the Sacramento Kings head into Oklahoma City Wednesday night to face the defending NBA champions for the third time in 12 games.
Already 0-2 against the Thunder this season — including a 29-point loss where Isaiah Hartenstein posted a career-high 33 points and 19 rebounds — it’s a tall task for the Kings (3-11).
To complicate matters further, they’ll be without another starter. Tuesday afternoon’s injury report lists Sacramento center Domantas Sabonis as out for Wednesday night with left knee soreness.
Keegan Murray is nearing a return from his UCL surgery, but remains sidelined as well. So, the Kings will be attempting to hand the Thunder (9-1) their first home loss of the season.
As mentioned, their last meeting was a beatdown, but their late October matchup came down to the final minutes before Oklahoma City walked away with a 107-101 victory. There are no moral victories in professional sports, but their six-point margin of defeat was respectable against a team that often blows out its opposition.
It’s assumed that Drew Eubanks will step into Sabonis’ role as the starting center. The other option head coach Doug Christie has gone to, two-way player Dylan Cardwell, is with their G League squad.
Meanwhile, the Thunder will be without Jalen Williams (right wrist), Aaron Wiggins (left adductor), Kenrich Williams (left knee), Nikola Topic (surgery), and Thomas Sorber (ACL).
It’s mainly the typical grouping of players that the defending champions have found plenty of ways to secure wins without early in this season. As for the Kings, they’ve played without Sabonis before and will need their other core players to step up if they want to get back on the right track.
More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
Just months after talking up free agent signing Dennis Schroder as their new starting point guard, he’s been moved to the bench.
The 2025-26 Sacramento Kings are 3-11 through their first 14 games. That’s on pace for 17 total wins, equivalent to the Utah Jazz’s record last season.
Surely they’ll put together a better stretch — and the early schedule has done them no favors — but all the roster construction concerns that were highlighted in the offseason have come to light.
Starting power forward Keegan Murray, who needed surgery in the preseason, certainly hasn’t helped their cause, but their roster lacks a clear strength. Their preferred defensive identity involves picking up 94 feet, which isn’t exactly panning out, as evidenced by their 27th-ranked defensive rating.
Read More:
An unideal start to Dennis Schroder’s Kings tenure
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, November 19th – @ Oklahoma City – 5:00 PM PT
Thursday, November 20th – @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PT
Saturday, November 22nd – @ Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PT
Monday, November 24th – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, November 26th – vs. Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PT
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