Sacramento Kings’ losing streak reaches 11 games
With a mostly uneventful NBA trade deadline finally in the rearview, the Sacramento Kings were able to take the floor on Friday night without outside noise for the first time in weeks.
Speaking of weeks–Sacramento has now gone three weeks without winning a basketball game.
The Kings’ losing streak hit 11 games following a 114-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, a game that featured another late effort from Sacramento’s young core.
Although the Kings led for 21 minutes of gametime (versus Los Angeles’ ten minutes), the Clippers did just enough to hold off a valiant final push from a closing lineup that included five players who suited up in 2025 Las Vegas Summer League.
Sacramento (12-41) has lost eleven-straight games for the first time since March-April 1998, putting them two losses away from tying the longest losing streak in the Sacramento era (13 games in 1990).
MALIK FOR 3 🔥pic.twitter.com/dPFj5ApZXI
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 7, 2026
Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers takeaways
Both of these teams entered play on Friday with somewhat new looks, with Sacramento still getting acclimated to recently acquired forward De’Andre Hunter, while the Clippers played their second game following the stunning deadline deal that sent James Harden to Cleveland.
Los Angeles entered play ranked 21st among NBA teams in made three-point field goals, and those struggles came into focus during the first half.
As bad as the Sacramento Kings’ defense has been this season, defending the perimeter hasn’t been the primary issue on that end of the floor.
Sacramento, which entered play holding opponents to 35.7% shooting from beyond the arc this season (13th in the NBA), did a good job of containing the Clippers’ shooters during the first two periods of the night.
Los Angeles went two-for-12 (16%) from deep before the break, allowing the Kings to survive a rough start from three-point range themselves (four-of-17).
The Kings ended the first quarter on a 9-0 run 💪pic.twitter.com/ctSMeZzw4Q
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 7, 2026
Earlier on Friday, Sacramento general manager Scott Perry addressed the media for the first time since the trade deadline, where he laid out his plans for the remaining 30 games.
“We are going to take our time and use this year to evaluate our roster,” Perry said, a quote that raised some eyebrows following what transpired on Wednesday night as the Kings went with their younger players rather than the veterans.
It seemed as if Friday’s game was on a similar path as Malik Monk sat for most of the second and third quarters after drilling all three of his attempts from beyond the arc–but the former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up had one more hot streak in the tank.
Monk helped Sacramento build a 19-6 run that erased a 10-point Clippers lead, one that saw the Kentucky product knock down another three triples to give the Kings the lead as play entered the fourth quarter.
Although Monk was cooking on Friday (18 points on six-of-nine shooting from deep), head coach Doug Christie once again called on the younger players to close things out.
Dylan Cardwell, who had a career night one day removed from having his contract converted to a standard deal, shared the floor with fellow Las Vegas Summer League teammates Devin Carter, Daeqwon Plowden, and Nique Clifford in the fourth quarter, allowing Los Angeles to regain the lead for good in the process.
Cardwell is gone fishing 🎣😂pic.twitter.com/0ucf0dzGlQ
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 7, 2026
Once the Clippers pushed their lead back into double-digits, rookie center Maxime Raynaud entered the game for the final minutes of regulation, giving the Kings a full ‘Las Vegas Summer League’ lineup.
As Perry stated in his press conference, Sacramento isn’t “tanking,” a word the GM says isn’t in the Kings’ vocabulary. Call it what you want, it’s clear that this team is prioritizing its young players–and if the losses continue to pile up, so be it.
The final 30 games shouldn’t be graded on wins and losses for this group. That ship has sailed.
For this Sacramento Kings team, the final two months of play should focus on the young players. Who can be a part of Perry’s solution?
Cardwell appears to be a clear candidate to stick around for the foreseeable future, and the fan-favorite continues to act as a bright spot during this brutal stretch of losses.
The Auburn product tallied career-highs in 14 points (seven-of-11 shooting) and rebounds (14) to go along with two blocks over 31 minutes.
Fellow center Maxime Raynaud scored 12 points, grabbed five boards, and swiped two steals. Nique Clifford added 16 points, marking the third time over the past four games he has scored 14 points or more.
Devin Carter, the 13th pick from last year’s NBA Draft, had another strong showing off the bench (14 points, four rebounds, and four assists). Carter has registered back-to-back games playing 20-plus minutes for the first time this season.
“They’re finding their way, finding their confidence,” head coach Doug Christie said of his young players postgame. “Just a lot of really good stuff.”
Nique with the HAMMER 🔨pic.twitter.com/jjlPIkgrzh
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 7, 2026
While these rookies and second-year players logged the majority of the minutes during the second half, veterans like Russell Westbrook (seven minutes), Zach LaVine (five minutes), and DeMar DeRozan (ten minutes) played sparingly.
This is what searching for answers looks like. This is what, as Perry stated, evaluating the roster looks like.
It may not be for everyone, but if this is Perry’s plan, it may include a lot of closing lineups (and results) like Friday night from now through April. It may not translate to wins, but it very well could translate to success down the line.
Sacramento needs to establish a new core to build around for the next five-plus years. If they’re going to do that, they have to see what they have on this current roster. What we have seen over the past two games confirms Perry and his front office feel the same way.
Sacramento Kings Injury Updates
Center Domantas Sabonis missed Friday’s game due to lower back soreness and is considered day-to-day.
Forward Keegan Murray will miss the next 2 weeks with a moderate left ankle sprain.
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will continue a three-game homestand on Saturday night against the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden 1 Center.
Not only will former Kings guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis be making their returns to Sacramento, but star guard James Harden is also slated to make his Cavs debut following a blockbuster deadline deal that sent Darius Garland to Los Angeles.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
- Saturday, February 7th – vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 PM PT
- Monday, February 9th – @ New Orleans Pelicans – 5:00 PM PT
- Wednesday, February 11th – @ Utah Jazz – 6:00 PM PT
- Thursday, February 19th vs. Orlando Magic – 7:00 PM PT
- Saturday, February 21st @ San Antonio Spurs – 5:00 PM PT
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