Kings are facing a frustratingly obvious trend, despite team’s denial
As Miami Heat players, including star Jimmy Butler, missed Monday’s game against the Kings, Sacramento fans were quick to predict a blowout loss. However, what started as a social media meme has now become a troubling reality for Sacramento.
Four months into the 2023-24 NBA season, the Kings have developed a reputation for struggling against shorthanded teams or those with losing records. Surprisingly, they have managed to pull off impressive wins against top teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Kings coach Mike Brown denies that this is a trend, attributing Monday’s 121-110 loss to basic mistakes in gameplay. However, the team’s history tells a different story.
From losses to teams missing key players like the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Portland Trail Blazers, to falling to lower-ranked teams like the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans without their star players, the Kings have struggled in unexpected matchups.
Despite coach Brown and forward Keegan Murray downplaying these losses, the reality is that Sacramento’s inconsistency has cost them in crucial games, impacting their playoff standings.
As the Kings find themselves slipping in the Western Conference ranking, it’s clear that they need to address their issues when facing undermanned opponents. While it may have been a laughing matter earlier in the season, the stakes are higher now as the playoff race heats up. It remains to be seen if the Kings can overcome this trend and secure a spot in the postseason.
