Kings take the brunt of the blame in surprising play-in defeat against a Pelicans team without Zion Williamson.
It’s been three decades since a team suffered six consecutive losses against another team in a single season without facing them in the playoffs. Yet, the Sacramento Kings managed to accomplish just that against the New Orleans Pelicans. In a remarkable display of dominance over a single opponent within a season, the Pelicans secured a 105-98 victory on Friday night in the play-in tournament, effectively ending Sacramento’s season.
Throughout the season, the Kings struggled to find solutions against the Pelicans. Even with Zion Williamson sidelined for at least two weeks, the Kings still grappled with their pace and energy on Friday. Despite riding high from their impressive win over the Golden State Warriors just days prior, Sacramento couldn’t sustain the momentum, leaving significant uncertainties looming as
they enter the offseason.
Before contemplating how to compete in the formidable Western Conference next season, the Kings must first dissect what went wrong. After all, acknowledging and learning from mistakes is crucial for growth and improvement. Here are some players who must take responsibility for their subpar performance against the Pelicans.
De’Aaron Fox, in particular, struggled from the field. While he led all scorers with 35 points, it took him 29 shots to achieve that tally. His shooting from beyond the arc was particularly disappointing, making only four of 16 attempts. Despite being the team’s top player, Fox faced formidable defense from Herb Jones. In challenging moments, it’s typical to rely on superstars to create plays and carry the offensive load, but Fox’s shot selection and volume raised concerns.
To be clear, Fox’s performance left much to be desired. Taking 16 three-pointers in a game, even for someone who has improved his outside shooting, may not have been the most effective approach. It appears he settled for too many outside shots instead of seeking higher-quality scoring opportunities.
