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What we learned in DeRozan’s perfect Kings preseason debut vs. Warriors initially appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO — There was good, dangerous and ugly within the Kings’ 122-112 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night time at Golden 1 Heart.
However loosen up. It was simply the preseason opener.
Whereas Sacramento undoubtedly has an extended record of things to work on earlier than the 2024-25 NBA common season begins later this month, loads of positives will be taken from the defeat.
The largest? DeMar DeRozan, who was excellent in his unofficial Sacramento debut. No, actually. He didn’t miss a single shot he tried, connecting on 6 of 6 for 15 factors in 15 first-half minutes.
De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis every added 11 factors, with the latter additionally racking up eight rebounds and 4 assists.
Keegan Murray seemed sharp on each ends of the ground as he works his means towards changing into a two-way star, ending with eight factors on 4-of-6 capturing, two rebounds and one help.
Keon Ellis scored simply two factors, however he had the first job of defending Warriors famous person Steph Curry, who completed with 13 factors on 5-of-8 capturing from the sphere and three of 6 on 3-pointers in 16 minutes.
The Warriors’ main scorer was former Kings guard-turned-nemesis Buddy Hield, who completed with a game-high 22 factors on 8-of-9 capturing from the sphere and 6 of seven on 3-pointers in simply 19 minutes. He was booed by the G1C crowd when he entered the sport and sporadically thereafter, however he wasn’t fazed by it.
Listed here are three takeaways from the Kings’ loss:
All eyes on DeRozan
In his unofficial Kings debut, DeRozan seemed like he match proper in along with his new squad.
Simply 47 seconds into Sacramento’s 2024 preseason opener, DeRozan scored his first factors off a Sabonis dribble hand-off, which coach Mike Brown hopes will open many alternatives for the Kings’ offense this season.
DeRozan had 10 factors by the tip of the primary quarter, and he added 5 extra to shut the half. Along with making all his field-goal makes an attempt, he additionally knocked down each of his free-throw tries.
Not dangerous for the brand new man on the town.
The bench and the brand new guys
Aside from DeRozan, the Kings made a number of different under-the-radar strikes this offseason.
DeRozan ought to be the one new participant in Sacramento’s beginning lineup this season, however the crew’s different acquisitions will compete for minutes as soon as the common season rolls round. That is the time to show they deserve the chance.
Jordan McLaughlin, Devin Carter and Orlando Robinson all sat out due to their respective accidents, however Boogie Ellis, an undrafted free agent who signed a contract after his standout summer season league exhibiting, turned heads in his restricted minutes. The USC product completed with 10 factors on 4-of-10 capturing from the sphere and a pair of of 6 on 3-pointers.
Jalen McDaniels, acquired in a trade with the Toronto Raptors, performed 21 minutes — some with the beginning unit — and completed with six factors on 2-of-8 capturing from the sphere, with 4 rebounds and one steal.
Isaac Jones, one other undrafted free agent, added 10 factors in 20 minutes. He signed a two-way contract with the Kings over the summer season.
Veteran Kings middle Alex Len additionally impressed, falling just one rebound shy of a double-double, with 10 factors on 5 of seven capturing, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and one steal.
Mason Jones, a veteran guard who performed in 5 video games for the Kings final season, chipped in seven factors.
Sacramento’s Sixth Man exhibits out
He is so again.
DeRozan obtained the loudest ovation throughout introductions, however the response to Monk coming into the sport on the 6:02 mark of the primary quarter wasn’t far behind.
Sacramento loves its sixth man, who re-signed this offseason on a four-year, $78 million contract, and he confirmed precisely why.
When Monk will get going — regardless of when that’s — it is laborious to show off that swap. From deep 3s to huge finishes on the rim, his vitality is unreplaceable.
Monk exited the sport on the 8:18 mark of the second quarter, and The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson cited a source in reporting that it was for private causes and never damage associated.
