Kings Roll, Hornets Sting Themselves Again
The Sacramento Kings came into Spectrum Center on Tuesday night and did exactly what they were supposed to do, handling the Charlotte Hornets 123-107. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a professional effort against a team that’s struggling to find its footing. De'Aaron Fox led the way for Sacramento with 26 points and 11 assists, his third double-double in the last five games. Domantas Sabonis added his league-leading 11th triple-double with 13 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, continuing his dominant season on the glass.
Charlotte, meanwhile, looked exactly like a team missing its best players. LaMelo Ball is out for the season, and Gordon Hayward's been in and out of the lineup all year. Miles Bridges dropped 24 points, and rookie Brandon Miller had 23, but it felt like empty calories in a game that was pretty much decided by the third quarter. The Kings shot 50.5% from the field and hit 15 threes, just a consistent, steady offensive attack. Malik Monk came off the bench and chipped in 22 points, hitting 5-of-9 from deep, reminding everyone why he was such a fan favorite in Charlotte before heading west.
The Sabonis Effect
Real talk: Sabonis is quietly putting together an All-NBA caliber season. His 17 rebounds against the Hornets weren't just a high number; they were impactful. He controlled the paint, allowing Fox to run in transition. The Kings outrebounded Charlotte 53-39, a huge part of their success. It's not always flashy, but Sabonis’s ability to grab boards and immediately initiate the offense is what makes Sacramento’s attack so potent. He’s averaging 13.7 rebounds per game, a career-high, and it's no coincidence the Kings are a top-five offensive team.
Here's the thing: people talk about Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, and rightfully so. But Sabonis deserves more love in that elite big man conversation. He might not have the same individual scoring punch, but his all-around game, especially his passing and rebounding, makes everyone around him better. He’s the engine of this Kings team, and without him, they’re just another fast-paced squad.
Hornets Still Searching
The Hornets are in a tough spot. They’ve now lost six of their last seven games, and their record sits at 15-43. When you’re relying on Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges to carry the scoring load every night, you’re going to have some rough patches. Miller, to his credit, has been impressive, averaging 16.3 points since the All-Star break. He’s showing flashes of why he was the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft. But he needs more help.
Thing is, this team needs a true point guard. Terry Rozier's departure left a gaping hole, and while Vasilije Micic had 12 points and 7 assists against the Kings, he’s not a long-term answer. The Hornets’ 19 turnovers against Sacramento were a killer, leading to 25 Kings points. You can't be that sloppy against a playoff-bound team and expect to win. They’re stuck in no-man's land, too good to be truly awful but not good enough to compete. They’re going to finish with one of the worst records in the league again, and I’m starting to wonder if their front office truly has a coherent plan to build around Ball, whenever he returns.
Bold prediction: The Kings will finish as a top-four seed in the Western Conference this year, leveraging their consistent offense and Sabonis's quiet dominance to surprise a lot of people come playoff time.