For the Sacramento Kings and their loyal fan base—just two games removed from an eight-game losing streak, the team’s longest since April 2021—the time for reflection and positive thinking about this year’s iteration of “The Beam Team” has been minimal.
With injuries seemingly coming game by game and the on-court product resembling what fans watched throughout the 17-year playoff drought, the holiday season feels like the perfect excuse to step back and reflect on what the Sacramento Kings (and their fans) can still be thankful for.
What The Sacramento Kings (& Kings Fans) Should Be Thankful For
Keegan Murray
A night like the one Keegan Murray had on Monday against the Timberwolves is exactly the type that reminds you that even in a losing season, there are still things to track and be excited about. He dropped 26 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and hit three triples in what may end up being a meaningless win in the grand scheme of the season.
This season might not be under ideal circumstances for Keegan or any of the young players’ development, but after he missed the first 15 games while recovering from a surgically repaired thumb on his non-shooting hand, it’s been nice to tune in and watch the fourth-year forward continue to take massive steps in his development.
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Good Draft Class + Having Your Pick
In a world where the Oklahoma City Thunder owns more than 10% of this year’s first round (currently 4 of 30 picks), it shouldn’t be taken for granted that the Kings have full control of their own first-rounder in a draft loaded with highly touted freshman forwards.
Whether it’s Cameron Boozer (Duke), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Caleb Wilson (North Carolina), or any of the other talented freshmen projected near the top of the draft, Sacramento is positioned to potentially add a piece that could help usher in the next era of Kings basketball.
(Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Russell Westbrook
In what has at times felt like one of the bleakest seasons in recent memory, the former MVP and future Hall of Famer has arguably been the Kings’ most consistent player and already seems to have left his imprint on the young guys on the roster.
In 12 starts for Sacramento this season, Russ has averaged 15.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Many believed Westbrook was no longer capable of being a net-positive rotational player in the league—let alone a starter— but anyone who has watched the Kings this season would tell you that without him this team would’ve been somehow worse than what we’ve already seen at points in this season.
Golden 1 Center
This one might seem corny, but somewhere out there in the cosmos is a universe where the Sacramento Kings ended up in Seattle (or maybe Virginia Beach or Anaheim) and there is no Sacramento Kings and no Golden 1 Center. Take a moment to appreciate that not only are the Kings here to stay, but Golden 1 Center remains one of the great arena venues in the entire country.
The Beam
You don’t know how good you’ve got something until it’s gone. During the Kings’ recent 8-game losing streak, many asked whether the beam would ever return, and if it did, whether it would hit quite the same.
When the Sacramento Kings finally snapped their skid Saturday night in Denver, The Beam lit up once again—and for a moment, nothing else mattered. The unmet expectations, the losing streak, even the debate over whether winning is in the team’s best long-term interest—all of it fades when that giant purple laser hits the Sacramento sky.
Everyone can agree on one thing: The Beam is awesome.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, November 26th – vs. Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, November 28th – @ Utah Jazz – 6:30 PM PT
Sunday, November 30th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 6:00 PM PT
Wednesday, December 3rd – @ Miami Heat – 5:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 6th – @ Miami Heat – 5:00 PM PT
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