The New Orleans Pelicans extended their dominance over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night, securing a resounding 133-100 victory at the Golden 1 Center. Despite missing Zion Williamson, the Pelicans displayed prowess throughout the game, establishing a 12-point lead by the end of the first quarter and maintaining control. CJ McCollum’s stellar performance, contributing 30 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 11/16 shooting, including 7/10 from three, significantly contributed to the Pelicans’ success.
In the postgame press conference, head coach Mike Brown issued an apology to the fans in attendance, acknowledging the team’s lackluster performance. Expressing disappointment, Brown emphasized the absence of competitiveness, particularly noting the challenges posed by poor shooting performances from key players like De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk.
The Sacramento Kings fans voiced their frustration with boos throughout the game, understandable given the team’s substantial deficit, which reached a staggering fifty points at one point. Domantas Sabonis, reflecting on the disappointing performance, acknowledged the fans’ reaction, describing it as normal but expressing understanding of their disappointment.
Looking ahead, the Kings are gearing up for a five-game road trip, starting with a matchup against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, followed by a game against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. The challenging stretch also includes games against the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns. As the Kings navigate this segment of the season, they aim to rebound from the Pelicans’ blowout and regain momentum in the competitive NBA regular season.
Upcoming Schedule:
– Tuesday, January 9th – Sacramento Kings @ Detroit Pistons – 4:00 PM PST
– Wednesday, January 10th – Sacramento Kings @ Charlotte Hornets – 4:00 PM PST
– Friday, January 12th – Sacramento Kings @ Philadelphia 76ers – 4:30 PM PST
– Sunday, January 14th – Sacramento Kings @ Milwaukee Bucks – 4:00 PM PST
– Tuesday, January 16th – Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns – 4:00 PM PST
