The Kings finally have a win, and the bench made it. Over seven games they allow 120.0 points per 100 possessions, and the Lakers arrive Wednesday scoring 121.9.
Last season
Sacramento went 22-60, with the 26th offense and the 28th defense. The net rating of minus-9.7 ranked 28th of 30 teams. Doug Christie's group came into this year trying to show that was a bottom, not a new normal.
Oct. 25 to Oct. 31
Four straight losses followed the 0-2 start: 123-112 to Memphis at home, 130-103 at San Antonio, 132-120 at New Orleans and 136-105 at Memphis. Five of the first six losses came by double digits. A report on Oct. 30 said Christie was not yet on the hot seat.
Monday
The Kings won 115-100 at Dallas. Malik Monk scored 24 in 30 minutes and finished plus-27, and the bench outscored the Mavericks' reserves' share of the night 45 points to the starters' 69 in a game Sacramento led by as many as 19. Dallas shot 6-for-19 from Cooper Flagg and never got closer than the 8-0 run in the fourth.
This season so far
The record is 1-6, 14th in the West, two and a half games behind 10th-place Denver. Over seven games Sacramento scores 106.8 and allows 120.0 per 100 possessions, a net of minus-13.2. Darius Acuff Jr. averages 26.1 points, and Domantas Sabonis averages 14.6 rebounds.
Wednesday
The Lakers come in 6-2 with Luka Doncic at 38.3 points a game over seven games, and they beat the Kings 127-103 on Oct. 5 and 114-110 on Oct. 8. Dylan Cardwell is estimated back Wednesday. Keegan Murray and Maxime Raynaud are not expected until Nov. 10.
What is the Kings' record this season?
The Kings are 1-6 and 14th in the West after beating Dallas 115-100 on Nov. 2. They have lost six of seven.
When do the Kings play the Lakers next?
The Kings host the Lakers on Nov. 4. Los Angeles is 6-2 and beat Sacramento in both earlier meetings this season.
