The 2025-26 Sacramento Kings just etched itself into the record books.
In their first action since the All-Star break, the Kings suffered a 131-94 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, one that comes with some historical context — but not on the positive side.
Sacramento suffered its 15th consecutive loss, setting a franchise record that passes the 1971-72 and 1959-60 Cincinnati Royals for the longest losing streak since the team was founded in 1923.
A historically rough season will be accompanied by a record-breaking kid as the Kings (12-45) continue to crawl to the regular season finish line.
Sacramento is on pace to match the 2008-09 team (17-65) for the worst regular-season record since the franchise relocated to Northern California in 1985.
Keegs connects again from deep đź’¦ pic.twitter.com/inuMbMSDQ4
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 20, 2026
Sacramento Kings vs. Orlando Magic takeaways
For a team that entered play having lost 14-straight games, the Kings didn’t look phased as play got underway on Thursday.
Sacramento jumped out to a ten-point lead after the first quarter while holding the seventh-seed Magic to five-of-24 (21%) shooting from the field as Malik Monk (nine points) set the tone early in his return from a three-game absence.
Although the Kings put Orlando in an early double-digit hole, they would punch back as the game rolled on.
The Magic mounted a 16-0 run that erased Sacramento’s lead (and momentum), as Orlando went on to outscore the Kings 46-27 in the second quarter.
Pushing the pace on the break (13-2 advantage in fast-break points during the second) and a 19-9 advantage in bench scoring lifted the Magic to a nine-point lead at the break, one that put the Kings on the verge of a record-setting defeat.
Max goes OVER the backboard for the and-1 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6Ok0zYtIat
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 20, 2026
Orlando entered the night ranked near the bottom of the NBA in three-point shooting, but you wouldn’t know it based on how Thursday’s game unfolded.
The Magic shook off a sluggish first quarter and hammered Sacramento’s perimeter defense the rest of the way, going on to finish the night with a franchise-record 27 made three-point field goals (27-of-51, 53% on the night) to blow things open in the second half.
Funnily enough, Orlando’s franchise-record-breaking performance beat its previous best of 25, set during a double-overtime showdown against the Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 3, 2024.
While many have already shifted their attention to College Basketball, the NBA Draft Lottery, and the NBA Draft, those in attendance on Thursday departed early as boos rained down during the closing moments of action.
Those who purchased tickets or own season ticket plans aren’t as aligned with Sacramento’s lengthy losing streak and not-so-subtle tanking ways, and they vocalized their displeasure as they made their way to the exits.
The Beam, a beacon of celebration and hope over the past three-plus years, hasn’t illuminated the Sacramento skyline since January 16th. Losing 15 straight games isn’t just a speed bump–it’s going through the guard rail and off a cliff.
This isn’t normal. Things have been bad in Kings Land for the majority of the past two decades, but none of those sub-500 teams lost at the rate this team has.
Rebuilding takes time. Some of the best current situations in the NBA were built in a similar fashion, such as Oklahoma City, Detroit, and San Antonio–even though they benefited from some lottery luck.
Losing games may benefit this franchise in the long run, but fans deserve better, and that is something the players understand.
“I know the season has been a lot for the fans,” rookie center Maxime Raynaud said postgame. “Winning is important. We’re going to get it fixed. It’s not the prettiest right now, but we’re going to get it back on track.”
Head coach Doug Christie echoed Raynaud’s message, stating that he has seen the best and worst days of Sacramento Kings basketball, but that better days are ahead.
“Our fans deserve more. We’ll get there,” Christie said. “It’s as painful as it gets. We need to make sure that we are better, and we will be.”
Another Double-Double For The Rook
Rookie center Maxime Raynaud is expected to start each game the rest of the way with Domantas Sabonis (knee) out for the rest of the season.
The Stanford product continued his recent stretch of strong performances by posting his ninth double-double of the season, scoring 17 points (eight-of-13 from the field), grabbing 14 rebounds, and handing out four assists over 39 minutes.
Keegan Returns
Following a 20-game absence that was due to a sprained ankle, Keegan Murray made his return to the hardwood on Thursday in what was his first action since January fourth.
Murray said he doesn’t expect to feel fully healthy until the offseason, adding that he suffered the worst ankle injury of his career.
Over 31 minutes of action, Murray scored 15 points on six-of-13 shooting (three-of-seven from deep) and pulled down eight rebounds in the loss.
Sacramento Kings Injury Report
De’Andre Hunter (eye) was a full participant in Sacramento’s practice on Tuesday and is expected to return during the Kings’ upcoming road trip.
Dylan Cardwell (left ankle sprain) suffered an injury during a workout and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Domantas Sabonis underwent season-ending surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his left knee. Sabonis is expected to be ready for training camp this September.
Zach LaVine underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right fifth finger. LaVine is expected to be ready for training camp this September.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will begin a five-game road trip on Saturday afternoon against old friend De’Aaron Fox and the San Antonio Spurs.
Fox led all scorers with 28 points and 11 assists (two turnovers) during the Spurs’ win over the Kings back on November 16th.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 3:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 5:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown San Antonio.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Saturday, February 21st @ San Antonio Spurs – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, February 23rd @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 25th @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
Thursday, February 26th @ Dallas Mavericks – 5:30 PM PT
Sunday, March 1st @ Los Angeles Lakers – 6:30 PM PT
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