The Sacramento Kings suffered a disappointing loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night, marking the end of the Hornets’ 11-game losing streak. The game was marked by excessive turnovers, poor free-throw shooting, and a general sense of lethargy from the Kings, leaving coach Mike Brown frustrated.
Despite a strong performance from De’Aaron Fox, who scored 30 points, the Kings were unable to overcome their turnovers and lack of urgency on the court. Domantas Sabonis recorded 27th double-double of the season, but also committed a career-high 11 turnovers.
The game also saw a moment of tension between Brown and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk, who exchanged words during the game. Monk, who spent four seasons with the Hornets, had a challenging night after being benched in the first half.
Brown also made a notable change in the team’s lineup, starting Chris Duarte in place of Kevin Huerter, in an attempt to shake things up on the court. Despite Duarte’s contributions, the Kings struggled to find their offensive rhythm throughout the game.
One of the key issues for the Kings was their poor free-throw shooting, as they only made 10 of 17 attempts at the line. Overall, it was a disappointing performance for the Kings, who will have to regroup quickly as they face the Orlando Magic on the second night of a back-to-back.
The upcoming schedule for the Kings includes games against the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons, and a rematch against the Charlotte Hornets.
Overall, the loss was a setback for the Kings, who will need to address their turnover issues and lack of urgency as they continue through the season.
This article was originally published on January 3, 2024, in The Sacramento Bee.