Two games into the 2024-25 NBA season, the Sacramento Kings remain winless. Their defensive efforts and subsequent hopes were pummeled after they allowed a 21-0 fourth-quarter run, led by All-Time leading scorer LeBron James.

After losing their opening night matchup against the Timberwolves on Thursday, Sacramento flew to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, the same night and time as the second game of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Their injury report looked identical to game one’s. Devin Carter (shoulder) and Orlando Robinson (knee) remained sidelined. At the same time, two-way players Mason Jones and Isaiah Crawford were unavailable, leaving Isaac Jones as head coach Mike Brown’s only two-way option.

Meanwhile, the Lakers were dealing with a few early injuries as well. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot), Christian Wood (knee), Cam Reddish (personal), Christian Kolokolo (conditioning), and Jalen Hood-Schifino (illness).

Domantas Sabonis was infamously undefeated (10-0) against Anthony Davis headed into the night, and that streak ended. But he did happen to have a pretty impressive dunk over Davis.

Trey Lyles with the heads up rearview block before Domantas Sabonis threw it down over Anthony Davis. pic.twitter.com/vQPGRxLWBa

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 27, 2024

From the opening tip, Keegan Murray’s importance was apparent. As their clear best and most versatile defender, he was assigned to NBA All-Time leading scorer LeBron James after attempting to contain Anthony Edwards the previous game.

Brown made it clear after game one that they wanted to shoot more than the 29 three-pointers they attempted. This may have been emphasized coming into the night because the Kings started the game 0/8 from three before Kevin Huerter knocked down his first triple of the season.

Their two players returning from injury, Huerter and Trey Lyles, were the only ones to convert threes in their 3/13 distance shooting from the opening quarter. Forcing Los Angeles into four turnovers during the first stretch allowed them to head into the second with a narrow two-point deficit.

Preseason offensive struggles were shrugged off as ‘just preseason,’ but their halfcourt offense couldn’t get anything going to start the second. The Lakers quickly rattled off a 12-0 run before DeMar DeRozan managed to slow their roll with a trip to the free-throw line.

Coach Brown elected to run a 2-3 zone with mixed success to limit their run. When James, Davis, and Rui Hachimura shared the floor, the Lakers’ size and physicality seemed to outmatch the Kings — but new coach JJ Redick could only maintain that lineup combination for so long.

Forcing turnovers allowed their transition offense to reappear in a quick 12-0 run. The Lakers’ once 15-point lead was trimmed to two as a few minutes remained in the half.

Defense leading to offense for the Kings, who rallied off a quick 10-0 run to cut the Lakers’ once 15-pt lead down to two. pic.twitter.com/tkWhYmQHYA

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 27, 2024

The third quarter began with Los Angeles owning a 64-60 lead, but the Kings leaned into one of their defensive staples to take the lead. The team’s defensive physicality, without fouling, was on another level.

More and more Lakers turnovers were converted into points on the other end. Fox’s big-moment impact reared its head early as the Sacramento guard ended the third frame with consecutive triples, giving his team a 94-87 advantage heading into the final frame.

Q3 ends with back-to-back triples from De’Aaron Fox, giving the Kings a 94-87 lead.

12 min remaining. pic.twitter.com/17NOq9XQWm

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 27, 2024

Fox and Sabonis had combined for 43 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists through three, but all outcomes remained possible — as the Lakers made clear in a hurry.

The fourth quarter felt like The Kings vs. The King. LeBron James reminded everyone that he’s still one of the league’s best in his 21st season. The Lakers rallied a game-altering 21-0 run within the first five minutes of the fourth, with James tallying 16 on his own.

Somehow, that didn’t signify the end of competitive action as Sacramento’s stars willed them back into a puncher’s chance. DeRozan hit three big triples. Sabonis did it all en route to his 59th career triple-double, tying Larry Bird for the tenth-most All-Time.

Their change to a switch-everything defense led to points off turnovers as their Fox/Monk/DeRozan/Murray/Sabonis lineup tried to scrape away with a victory. Ultimately, the early fourth-quarter run they conceded allowed too little room for error.

Timely buckets from the Lakers handed the Kings their second loss in as many games, 131-127.

Coach Brown’s unfamiliarity with his bench remained apparent throughout the night. Outside of Malik Monk’s 14 points, Sacramento’s bench recorded five points on 1/8 shooting.

Notable Statlines:

Kings

• Domantas Sabonis: 29 points, 10 assists, 12 rebounds, one steal, one block on 10/14 FG, 1/3 3P, 8/9 FT (37 minutes)
• De’Aaron Fox: 28 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, six turnovers on 9/20 FG, 3/10 3P, 7/8 FT (41 minutes)
• DeMar DeRozan: 23 points, three assists, three steals on 9/12 FG, 2/3 3P, 3/4 FT (37 minutes)

Lakers

• LeBron James: 32 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists on 12/22 FG, 4/9 3P, 4/4 FT (34 minutes)
• Anthony Davis: 31 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals, two blocks on 10/15 FG, 1/2 3P, 10/13 FT (38 minutes)

Sacramento Kings 2024-25 Schedule

Regular Season

• Saturday, October 26th – @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7:30 pm PDT
• Monday, October 28th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7 pm PDT
• Tuesday, October 29th – @ Utah Jazz – 6 pm PDT
• Friday, November 1st – @ Atlanta Hawks – 4 pm PDT
• Saturday, November 2nd – @ Toronto Raptors – 4:30 PM PDT

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