It’s been the story for much of the Sacramento Kings’ season: they couldn’t put two halves together.
The Kings lost the fourth consecutive game, 129-102, to Phoenix Suns on Friday, falling to 8-27 on the season in front of a sellout crowd at Mortgage Matchup Center. It marked the fifth time this season that Sacramento has lost at least four in a row.
The Kings were outscored 67-46 in the final two quarters after staying within striking distance in the first half. They shot just 29.5% from the field after the break.
Worse yet, rookie center Maxime Raynaud exited in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury. The prognosis was not immediately available, though Raynaud grabbed his left knee in pain before walking to the locker room with the help of a trainer.
The Kings, who lost to the Boston Celtics on Thursday, dropped to 1-5 on the second night of back-to-backs. Keegan Murray led the Kings with 23 points after scoring just seven Thursday. Russell Westbrook added 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
According to the Kings, Westbrook passed Oscar Robertson (26,710) as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer at the point guard position with a basket in the fourth quarter.
Devin Booker had a game-high 33 points, including 20 in the first quarter. Sacramento was outscored in each of the first three quarters. There were eight lead changes, and the game remained competitive in the first half. But the Kings’ offense faltered in the third while Phoenix intensified its defense, holding Sacramento to 33% shooting as the lead grew to 18. The fourth quarter was largely garbage time.
The Kings entered the night having lost three straight by an average of 26 points to the Lakers, Clippers and Celtics.
The Suns, who began Friday seventh in the Western Conference, had won four of their previous five games. Friday marked their first home game following a 3-1 road trip.
Sacramento played its ninth game in a row without Zach LaVine, who traveled with the team and worked out pregame. The team has not provided an official update in more than a week on LaVine’s ankle injury, which has sidelined him since Dec. 14.
Halftime report
The Kings were efficient in the first half, shooting 55% overall and 64% on two-point attempts. But they struggled at the free-throw line, making just 6 of 13, and trailed 62-56 at the break.
Booker scored 20 of his 27 first-half points in the first quarter. He found open lanes despite Sacramento cycling through defenders. The four-time All-Star was Phoenix’s only player in double figures before halftime.
Murray led Sacramento with 16 points in the half. DeMar DeRozan and Dennis Schroder each scored eight. Westbrook opened with four points, four rebounds and five assists.
Up next
The Kings return home Sunday to open a two-game homestand, facing the Milwaukee Bucks before hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. The Bucks edged the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, 122-121.