The Los Angeles Clippers Kawhi Leonard (2) goes in for the lay up as the Sacramento Kings Richaun Holmes (22) and Buddy Hield (24) can only watch Fri Jan 15, 2021 at Golden One Sacramento (AP News photo)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
The Sacramento Kings are coming off their most recent game against the Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday night at Golden One Center. It was a competitive game, but in the end the Kings fell in defeat. Ultimately, the Kings backcourt was just out matched by the likes of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The Kings were looking to get back on track on Friday night.
Friday night it was a tough matchup for the Kings. The Los Angeles Clippers were coming to town. The Clippers have been playing much better this year than they finished last year. Paul George seems to be back on track after a rough season. He and Kawhi Leonard appear to have a chemistry that was lacking last year. Tip-off was set for 7 PM PST in Sacramento. The Kings dropped their seventh in nine games 138-100 with the loss to the Clippers.
In the first half, the Kings and Clippers played very competitively. The Kings scored 31 points in the first quarter compared to the Clippers who scored 34. In the second, the Kings scored 30 more points but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the Clippers who added 35 points. Richaun Holmes led the Kings in the first half with 13, and early MVP candidate Paul George led the Clippers thus far with 20 points. Going into halftime the Clippers led the Kings 69-61.
In the second half, the Kings fell apart. In the third, they allowed the Clippers to score 37 compared to a dismal 16 from the Kings. It was a bit of a flashback for Kings fans who grew accustomed to third quarter meltdowns last year.
In the fourth, it wasn’t much better. The Kings were outscored 32-23 in the final session. The Kings will need to look to their next game to get back on track. Things could get out of hand for them really quickly if they don’t right the ship. Marvin Bagley led the Kings with 20 points and Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 27 points.
Up Next: The Kings welcome in the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night at 6 PM PST in Sacramento.