Kings’ Playoff Dreams Dashed in Loss to Pelicans
In a heartbreaking defeat, the Sacramento Kings saw their playoff hopes vanish as they fell to the New Orleans Pelicans in a hard-fought battle. Despite moments of promise, the Kings made costly mistakes and struggled to provide enough support to their star players, De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
Fox was a force to be reckoned with, scoring 35 points, his highest total against a tough Pelicans defense. However, the Kings faltered when Fox was off the court, unable to maintain their momentum and falling behind. Fatigue seemed to take its toll on Fox as the game progressed, with missed free throws and a lack of sharpness in his shots.
The Kings’ lack of depth became glaringly apparent, with Davion Mitchell and Keon Ellis struggling to make an impact. Ellis, who had been a hero in Tuesday’s game against the Warriors, failed to find his rhythm and went scoreless in 28 minutes of play. Coach Mike Brown acknowledged the team’s passivity on offense and emphasized the need to get the ball into the paint.
One player who failed to live up to expectations was Keegan Murray. After an impressive performance against the Warriors, Murray struggled against the Pelicans, shooting just 1-of-8 from the field. A slip on the court resulted in an injury and further hindered his performance. Brown expressed disappointment in Murray’s lack of aggressiveness and pointed out that he and Ellis combined for a poor shooting percentage of 4-of-17.
The Kings had devised a defensive plan to limit the Pelicans’ 3-point shooting, which had plagued them throughout the regular season. While they were successful in limiting New Orleans’ 3-point attempts, they failed to prevent easy backdoor cuts and uncontested dunks. Despite this defensive effort, Brown believed that the team’s main issue was their inability to score enough points.
Looking ahead, the Kings face an offseason filled with uncertainties. One major concern is the future of unrestricted free agent Malik Monk, whom Fox expressed a desire to retain. However, the Kings’ financial limitations may hinder their ability to offer Monk a competitive salary, potentially leading him to explore other options in the market. Fox recognized the importance of financial security for players and acknowledged that he would support Monk’s decision, regardless of whether he stayed with the Kings or not.
Although the Kings finished the season with a winning record for the second consecutive year, their 46 wins were not enough to secure a playoff spot in a highly competitive Western Conference. The team has shown signs of improvement, but they must address their inability to close out games and contend with the ever-strengthening conference.
As the Kings reflect on their season and look towards the future, they can take solace in the fact that they will retain their lottery-protected first-round pick, which will land them either the 13th or 14th spot in the upcoming draft. While this loss stings, it is clear that there is still work to be done for the Kings to establish themselves as a formidable playoff team.