The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans will both view the 2025-26 season as a year to forget, but only one team could come away victorious on Thursday night.
Of course, wins at this point in the year could actually be harmful for those who are looking forward to the NBA Draft Lottery.
Sacramento continues to stack losses at a rapid pace as they fortify their position in the Tankathon standings, falling by a final of 133-123 to a Pelicans team that doesn’t own its first-round pick in this summer’s draft.
The Kings (14-50) have lost nine straight games at Golden 1 Center, marking the second-longest home losing streak in franchise history, trailing only the 1989-90 team that dropped 12 home contests in a row.
For the first time since the 2021-22 season, Sacramento will finish a season with more than 50 losses–but it’s not all bad news.
The Kings maintain a two-game lead over Brooklyn and Indiana for the NBA’s worst record, although the three teams have the same odds of securing the top pick in May’s Draft Lottery (14%).
Russ scoops it in for the and-1 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wVejUAUWeI
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 6, 2026
Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans takeaways
When two of the worst five teams in the league meet, it’s fair to expect some sloppy play, and that’s how things unfolded on Thursday night at Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento and New Orleans entered the night with the worst and fifth-worst records in the NBA, and both teams also hold two of the five-worst three-point shooting percentages in the league, with the Kings (33%) ranking dead-last.
While Sacramento may roster the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA, the Pelicans started the night 0-for-10 from beyond the arc, allowing the Kings to take an early nine-point lead.
Zion Williamson has dealt with a series of lower-body injuries during his career, but the former top draft pick has always punished Sacramento when he’s available.
Williamson, who entered the night averaging 26 points per game on 68 percent shooting from the field over 11 career matchups against the Kings, scored 12 first-half points to help the Pelicans take a 67-63 lead into the break.
Sacramento’s offense ran through its two oldest veteran players, DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook, as the duo combined for 27 points on 11-of-21 (52%) shooting from the field. The rest of the Kings’ offense was 14-of-34 from the floor during the first half.
Did Russ call bank here? 🏦 pic.twitter.com/RfP7rhxEa9
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 6, 2026
As rough as New Orleans’ shooting was during the first half, they would turn the page as play entered the third quarter.
The Pelicans converted six of their nine attempts (66%) from three-point range in the third while outscoring Sacramento 38-28, putting the Kings in a 14-point hole with 12 minutes to play.
Although Sacramento got strong showings out of Precious Achiuwa, who tied his career high with 29 points, and Russell Westbrook (19 points and 10 assists), the Pelicans did just enough to hold the Kings off and secure the win.
Surprisingly, Sacramento rolled with an all-veteran lineup in crunch time, sitting rookies Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford for Westbrook, Achiuwa, DeRozan, Drew Eubanks, and Malik Monk.
Raynaud and Clifford didn’t see the floor in the fourth quarter, even though both have played 30-plus minutes in each of the past three games.
“I thought they were a little tired,” Christie said of the decision postgame. “In that moment, watching them, they’re rookies. There’s going to be ebbs and flows. Nothing besides that, they’re going to get all the minutes, but I try to read the game in a lot of ways.”
Sacramento Kings Injury Updates
Forward Keegan Murray will be re-evaluated in the next two weeks with a mild left ankle sprain.
Center Dylan Cardwell (left ankle sprain) will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Guard Zach LaVine (left fifth finger tendon repair) will miss the rest of the season.
Forward De’Andre Hunter (left eye retinal repair) will miss the rest of the season.
Center Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair) will miss the rest of the season.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will continue a five-game homestand on Sunday night when they face the Chicago Bulls at Golden 1 Center.
Chicago got the best of Sacramento back on October 29th, winning by a final of 126-113 in the Windy City.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Chicago Bulls action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 6:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Sunday, March 8th vs. Chicago Bulls – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 10th vs. Indiana Pacers – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, March 11th vs. Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, March 14th @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 PM PT
Sunday, March 15th vs. Utah Jazz – 7:00 PM PT
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