The Sacramento Kings saw their chances of entering the playoffs diminish after falling 105-98 to the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA play-in tournament.
Failed Opportunity
Even though the team previously defeated the already-eliminated Golden State Warriors, it came up short this time around and ended up in the fourth seed of the playoffs. The Pelicans with Zion Williamson omitted as the Sacramento Kings entered as 8th in the Western Conference.
Star Performances Not Enough
De’Aaron Fox was the top gamer for the Kings and dropped 35 points on the floor, while the second half of the double-double combination was done by Domantas Sabonis who totaled 23 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Still, however, they were struggling to cope with the situation of nine turnovers throughout the match.
De’Aaron Fox this season:
26.6 PPG • 5.6 APG • 2.0 SPG • 2.9 3PM
• Led NBA in SPG
• 2nd in 4Q PTS
• 4th most 40-point games
• 4th most jump shots made
• 5th most points in the clutch
• Career-highs in PPG, RPG, SPG, and 3PM pic.twitter.com/0zb5oQCHrB— StatMamba (@StatMamba) April 20, 2024
Impact of Absences
The guards, Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk couldn’t get their game on; it was difficult for the team to shoot from behind the arc with just 27% of their efforts. Not to mention, they made crucial misses at the free throw line, only 15-22 from the charity stripe.
Individually, his biggest feat was unquestionably scoring 47 points on 12/15 3pt on December 16 vs Utah
Keegan will play a huge role for the Kings with Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter unavailable and the play-in tournament beginning tomorrow night pic.twitter.com/FRsGYsoqvG
— dave (@IowaHoopsDave) April 15, 2024
Trolling from NBA Fans
The fans of the NBA instantly got into social media to clear the Kings of the choice for their defeat the way that they had failed to create the team to make the playoffs with a strong regular season record.
Continued Criticism
Criticism was toward Sabonis, with some asking the question by the implication of his playoff contribution. The public also generated some comparisons: the Rockets are better than us, and even when Anthony Davis is not on the floor, the Pelicans can defeat us.
End of Season
This effect also impacted the season’s result since the post-season elimination disappointed Sacramento, such as the Warriors beating them last year.
I woke up yesterday a KINGS fan … I woke up today a KINGS fan.
If you didn’t do the same, you never were one. 😉#JustSayin. 💜#BeamTeam #SacramentoKings 💜 pic.twitter.com/y2dsawYqcv— 🦁Marnie@TheKings🦁 (@MarnieAtKings) April 20, 2024
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