The Sacramento Kings’ winless preseason continued with a 110-98 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday in Sacramento.
The Kings were without many players who are expected to make the starting lineup come regular season time. Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Darius Acuff and De’Andre Hunter were all listed as out for Tuesday’s game.
Ben Simmons sat out Tuesday’s game as a health precaution. After making his preseason debut against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, Kings head coach Doug Christie said he sat him on Tuesday “to do what’s best for Ben.”
“There’s a bigger picture here, and that picture is for him to be available for 82 games in the regular season when it counts,” Christie said. “As much as I want him to play in front of our fans, we have to be smart and work together to make sure he is the best version of himself.”
The Kings fell into a 66-39 hole going into halftime. After a 27-27 third quarter, the Kings surged to a 31-17 fourth quarter but it was far too late.
“The biggest takeaway is just to keep playing,” Emanual Sharp said. “Every night is not going to be your night.”
The Kings made two more three-point shots and four more free throws than the Blazers but Portland made nine more field goals.
Jonathan Mogbo and Tristen Newton each led the Kings with 15 points, with Newton making 4-of-9 from the floor and 6-of-12 from the free-throw line. Sharp and Precious Achiuwa each scored 12 points while Daeqwon Plowden, Keegan Murray and Leaky Black each added 10 points.
Achiuwa (11 rebounds) and Mogbo (10 rebounds) registered the game’s only double-doubles. However, Achiuwa left the game due to a right ankle injury.
The Blazers were led by Deni Avdija’s 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting and nine rebounds. Damian Lillard and Ja Morant each scored 14 points while Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday each added 11 points.
A pair of jump shots from Morant and Holiday put the Trail Blazers ahead by 31 points to start the fourth quarter. A three-pointer by Holiday put Portland up 100-72 before the Kings went on a 21-6 run to make it a 106-93 game with 2:19 left in the game.
Dunks from Branden Carlson and Yang Hansen put the game on ice for Portland, who improved to 3-0 in the preseason.
The Kings announced 12,108 fans attended the last home game of the preseason. Christie said he values preseason games more than how the team has been practicing.
“Preseason games are the most valuable,” Christie said. “Some of the things that we see in practice, we’re competing at a greater level in practice than I’m seeing right now. Unacceptable.”
The Kings will conclude the preseason at San Antonio on Friday at 5 p.m. PT.