Desperate to improve (or maintain) their standing in a crowded Western Conference, the Sacramento Kings couldn’t control the ball Friday night in PHX Arena.
Recording 18 turnovers, which the hosting Phoenix Suns turned into 38 points**,** led to a 122-106 loss, taking their season record to an even 33-33.
It’s Sacramento’s fourth straight loss, placing them three and half games behind the 8th seeded LA Clippers with 16 games remaining.
Phoenix shot 56 percent from three (24/43), converting a new season-high attempt from beyond the arc. Sacramento, meanwhile, was 8/32 (25 percent) from deep and 49.4 percent (40/81) from the field.
DeRozan (23) and LaVine (21) each ended with upward of twenty points, but the Kings got minimal help from their reserves.
Durant (22) and Booker (22) led the way for their side, helping the Suns stay in the play-in race as the 2024-25 regular season winds down.
Kings at Suns Injury Report
Sacramento
Trey Lyles – OUT (low back soreness)
Jae Crowder – OUT (low back soreness)
Mason Jones – OUT (G-League)
Phoenix
Grayson Allen – OUT (left foot strain)
Nick Richards – OUT (right ankle sprain)
Monte Morris – OUT (low back injury management)
Jalen Bridges – OUT (G-League)
Sacramento’s Starters: Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis
Phoenix’s Starters: Ryan Dunn, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Mason Plumlee
Kings at Suns Game Notes
With Sabonis back in the lineup, little changed stylistically. The Kings still had their on-ball creators, who need the rock to create for themselves and others.
Keegan Murray came out of the gates aggressive, a mindset he’s seemed to have had over the last handful of games.
The third-year forward recorded seven of the Kings’ first 11 points as they faced a one-point deficit halfway through the opening quarter.
Keegan Murray pic.twitter.com/VQddjfLeZZ
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 15, 2025
Keon Ellis, Christie’s usual first substitution, came into the game. Usually he would replace Monk, but DeRozan was the first one to hit the bench Friday night.
Turnovers have been a weakness for Sacramento for stretches, which became apparent early in Phoenix. Committing four first-quarter turnovers, two from Sabonis, enabled the Suns to put together a 19-4 run. They had a 19-point lead in a hurry.
Ending the first quarter with the home team leading 36-22, Sacramento was juits 9/2 from the field compared to Phoenix’s 13/25. The impactful difference in total shot attempts comes from the Kings’ turnovers (5) and the Suns’ offensive rebounding (4).
They also had 15 bench points, while the Kings struggled to get production from their reserves. Rookie Devin Carter saw the floor early in the second, functioning as a backup point guard rather than Markelle Fultz.
Managing to increase their pace, both in the halfcourt and transition, Sacramento began to find an offensive rhythm. Gettings stops certainly helped with those efforts as well.
Attempting to overcome the early deficit, the Kings faced a 54-47 disadvantage with 3:27 until halftime. Recognizing the moment’s importance, they put together a 21-6 to nearly take the lead.
Monk started to get his scoring rolling, attacking the paint with intent. Yet, the Suns still held a 62-57 lead at the midway point.
DeRozan (3/3) and LaVine (2/4) had a combined 14 points on 5/7 shooting. Meanwhile, Murray had 14 points on 6/10, while Monk managed 12 points on 5/12.
The unfortunate primary highlight up to that point was Phoenix scoring 16 points off of Sacramento’s eight turnovers. DeRozan, Monk, and Sabonis each had two turnovers apiece.
It didn’t stop there; this was the story of the second half too. Ten turnovers soon turned into 21 Phoenix points, owning a nine-point lead (78-69) in their own building.
Mason Plumlee got tied up with Sabonis while fighting for a rebound but was ejected upon review for a flagrant two after his elbow made contact with his head.
Nothing was going to swing the night in Sacramento’s favor, however. The impact of a back-to-back, having played in Golden State last night, may have been showing, but the turnover problem simply never disappeared.
Monk attacked the paint with seconds remaining before finding DeRozan at the top of the three. The veteran knocked down a triple as the buzzer signified the end of the third quarter.
Six more turnovers in the frame led to 11 more points for their opposition. Phoenix lead 97-82.
DeMar beats the buzzer 🚨
pic.twitter.com/ApkDfeHdcQ
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 15, 2025
There was little promise that existed in the final frame. Coach Christie tried to go with their jumbo lineup, playing Sabonis and Jonas Valanciuns together, but found little success.
Phoenix was on fire from beyond the arc, punishing each continued turnovers from the Kings.
LaVine started to find his shot, but it was too little, too late. Sacramento’s first made triple from a reserve came in the frame, while Tyus Jones was perfect on six three-point attempts.
Nineteen turnovers, leading to 38 points for the Suns, covers more than the final 122-106 deficient the Kings faced on Friday night in PHX Arena.
Phoenix shot 56 percent from three (24/43), converting a new season-high attempt from beyond the arc. Sacramento, meanwhile, was 8/32 (25 percent) from deep and 49.4 percent (40/81) from the field.
DeRozan (23) and LaVine (21) each ended with upward of twenty points, but the Kings got minimal help from their reserves.
Durant (22) and Booker (22) led the way for their side, helping the Suns stay in the play-in race as the 2024-25 regular season winds down.
Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings
Monday, March 17th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, March 19th – vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 20th – vs. Chicago Bulls – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, March 22nd – vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 7:00 PM PT
Monday, March 24th – vs. Boston Celtics – 7:00 PM PT
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