Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie on Jan. 18, 2026, talks about the experience of being head coach. By HECTOR AMEZCUA
De’Andre Hunter started in his Sacramento Kings debut Wednesday, but it ended in defeat on a night when coach Doug Christie leaned into the team’s youth movement.
Ty Jerome scored 28 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 129-125 victory before a crowd of 15,017 on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center, extending Sacramento’s losing streak to 10 games.
Devin Carter, Nique Clifford, Dylan Cardwell and Hunter logged most of the fourth-quarter minutes while Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis watched from the bench. The Grizzlies outscored the Kings 40-34, shooting 66.7% from the field and 70% from 3-point range while Sacramento went 12 of 29 (.414) from the field and 2 of 11 (.182) from beyond the arc.
Christie was asked if the team’s front office influenced his decision to play the youngsters down the stretch.
“We’re all aligned in what we’re doing,” Christie said. “We want to make sur our young players are developing, our fans are getting to see them, and they are out there on the court. I thought they all did really well, but it’s also the ability for them to get that experience in those moments and what those moments feel like.”
Clifford took the blame for the loss after committing two costly turnovers in a span of 34 seconds as a tie game turned into a five-point deficit with four minutes remaining. Clifford said he’s adjusting to a new role as a primary ballhandler.
“It’s something I haven’t done too much this year, so definitely getting more and more comfortable the more reps I get at it,” Clifford said. “Definitely had some learning experiences there at the end. Turning the ball over kind of cost us the game. I take accountability for that. I’ve got to be better.”
Cam Spencer came off the bench to score 20 points for the Grizzlies (20-29), who were shorthanded with Ja Morant out due to injury and Jaren Jackson Jr. headed to Salt Lake City after being traded to the Utah Jazz.
Jaylen Wells, a Sacramento native and former Folsom High School star, went 6 of 9 from 3-point range to finish with 18 points. GG Jackson had 16 points and seven rebounds.
Sabonis had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Kings (12-40). DeRozan scored 20 points. Clifford had 14 points and five assists while Cardwell grabbed 11 rebounds.
Kings guard Russell Westbrook scored 13 points, passing Hakeem Olajuwon for 14th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
The Kings acquired Hunter on Saturday in a three-team trade that sent Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the Cleveland Cavaliers with Dario Saric going to the Chicago Bulls. Hunter was held to nine points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Christie said getting Hunter comfortable with new teammates and a new system will take time.
“You have to know it’s going to be up and down with that,” Christie said. “He had one practice. You’re trying to figure out plays and sets, and you’re doing it on a stage in front of everybody, but there’s a lot of good in what De’Andre brings.”
Hunter was welcomed to Sacramento with a warm ovation when he was introduced with the starting lineup before the game. He received another big round of applause when he sank a corner 3-pointer on the opening possession.
The Kings started the game with a 7-0 run and went up by as many as eight in the opening period. They led 31-29 at the end of the first quarter.
There were seven lead changes in the second quarter. The Grizzlies carried a 58=57 lead into the halftime break.
The Kings trailed by eight midway through the third quarter, but they were up 91-89 at the start of the fourth. Sacramento led by six following a reverse layup by Maxime Raynaud with 9:45 remaining, but they found themselves trailing by four after Santi Aldama hit a 3-pointer with 6:06 to go.
Memphis led 119-114 with 3:59 remaining. The Kings cut the deficit to one on a 3-pointer by DeRozan with 35.8 seconds to play, but Spencer answered with a clutch 3-pointer to seal Sacramento’s fate.
Welcome home
Wells, who was named The Sacramento Bee’s All-Metro Player of the Year as a senior at Folsom, was all smiles as he greeted fans and signed autographs following pregame warmups.
Wells said he was happy to be back in his hometown a year after scoring a career-high 30 points against the Kings in his first pro game in Sacramento.
“I love it, man,” Wells said. “I’m seeing a whole bunch of familiar faces in the stands and feeling the Sacramento love, so it’s definitely a dream come true.”
Wells, 22, came out of Washington State as the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft. He was honored as an All-Rookie First Team selection last season after averaging 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
Up next
The Kings will play host to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.
The Clippers (23-26) have lost two of their last three games after winning nine of 10. They will be playing their first game since trading James Harden to Cleveland on Tuesday.
The Cavaliers (30-21) might emerge as the top team in the Eastern Conference with the additions of Harden, Schroder and Ellis. Harden could make his Cavaliers debut against the Kings while Schroder, Ellis and Hunter will be facing their former teams for the first time.