Sacramento Kings snap seven-game skid, hand Rockets loss
It’s been a rough season for Malik Monk and the Sacramento Kings, but Sunday night was a break from the chaos.
Monk, who has spent most of the past month outside of the Kings’ main rotation, had his highest-scoring game since December 14th as Sacramento defeated the Houston Rockets by a final of 111-98 at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings (9-30) snapped a seven-game losing streak, one that halted the bleeding of what has been the franchise’s worst start to a season during its 40-year history in Sacramento.
Thanks to the efforts of Monk, DeMar DeRozan, and rookie big Dylan Cardwell, the Kings were able to dust off the Beam and gift fans with a win for the first time in 2026.
Malik for three? BANG. pic.twitter.com/ipyNlzSvdK
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 12, 2026
Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets takeaways
Neither team was able to get out and run much in the first half, keeping the score close, though the pace of play slowed to what felt like a crawl.
While both Sacramento and Houston remained within one possession of each other for most of the first half, Malik Monk took advantage of a boost in playing time as Dennis Schroder (suspension) was out of action.
Monk, who has been in and out of head coach Doug Christie’s rotation in recent weeks as the Kings evaluate guard Keon Ellis ahead of the February 5th trade deadline, was back in a familiar setting–the backup point guard role–with Schroder sidelined.
The veteran guard scored nine points off the bench during the first half, including a rim-rattling hammer that in some ways looked like venting in the form of a poster dunk.
It’s been a tough season for Monk and the Kings, but his big dunk to end the first half helped provide Sacramento with some momentum to take a three-point lead into the break.
Monk and DeMar DeRozan (13 first-half points) led the way for a Kings offense that converted 13 of its 19 attempts (68%) in the paint over the first two quarters.
MALIK AHMAD MONK FOR THE JAM 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rB3FrXxcU5
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 12, 2026
Sacramento and Houston continued to play neck-and-neck as play entered the second half, causing 16 lead changes and seven ties to take place through the first three periods.
Although the Kings were on their way to another atrocious performance from the perimeter, they found success in the mid-range thanks to the strong play from DeRozan, the ‘King of the Mid Range.’
As play entered the fourth quarter, undrafted center Dylan Cardwell put his stamp on the game early in the period.
Cardwell, a rookie center who plays with a high level of energy and enthusiasm, established a new career-high of nine points and ten rebounds while also doing a solid job of keeping the Rockets–a team that entered play ranked first in rebounds per game–off the glass.
While Cardwell stole the show for most of Sunday’s contest, Monk came through in much-needed fashion.
Monk’s triple with 3:49 to go gave the Kings a 100-92 lead–their largest of the game to that point. Sacramento wouldn’t look back, defeating the sixth-seed Rockets for the second time this season.
Head coach Doug Christie had been playing two-way guard Keon Ellis big minutes in recent weeks, but the three-and-D guard only logged six minutes of playing time–all during the first half.
Sunday was Monk’s turn, and the former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up didn’t squander his opportunity.
“I feel like that’s been my role since I’ve been in the NBA. Being a ballhandler,” Monk said. “I was out there flowing and free, felt good. Felt great to do it in front of our home fans at Golden 1. Always good to get a win here because the fans always bring it.”
Monk, who said he hasn’t lost his confidence during the extended period out of the rotation, finished the game with 15 points (six-of-12 shooting from the field), four boards, and three assists over 26 minutes.
Dylan Cardwell’s gritty bucket makes G1C erupt 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/vejwfu1kF4
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 12, 2026
Aside from Monk’s return to old ways, the story of Sunday’s game was rookie center Dylan Cardwell.
Cardwell, an undrafted center out of Auburn, has quickly become a fan-favorite thanks to his energy on the floor, ability to block shots, and battle on the glass–three aspects of basketball that the Kings have sorely lacked this season.
The Kings ended the night with 46 rebounds against Houston’s 42, and Cardwell’s career-high 10 boards led the way.
“Dylan is a special young man,” Christie said of the center postgame. “Watching him rebound the basketball, play with joy, physicality. Our team plays calmly when he’s protecting the paint. He continues to impress, man.”
Joining Cardwell in the post was fellow rookie center Maxime Raynaud, who continued to perform well in a starting role as Domantas Sabonis (knee) remains sidelined.
Raynaud racked up his seventh double-double of the season, scoring 12 points on six-of-ten shooting to go along with 10 rebounds over just 20 minutes of playing time.
DeMar DeRozan finished with a team-high 22 points on eight-of-13 shooting from the field during the win. Russell Westbrook finished with 15 points and 10 assists for his 12th double-double of the season.
Tankathon Update
The Kings’ win doesn’t change much as far as this summer’s NBA Draft outlook is concerned.
Sacramento (9-30) sits one game ahead (or…behind..?) the Indiana Pacers (8-31) for the worst record in the league. The three-worst teams in the league will have indentical odds for the top pick (14%) and a top-four selection (52.1%).
Notes
With his field goal at the 9:24 mark of Q2 tonight vs. HOU, DeMar DeRozan reached 26,000 career points in the regular season. He is the 23rd player in NBA history to hit the 26,000-point mark.
Sacramento Kings Injury Updates
Guard Dennis Schroder will miss the next two games after being suspended by the NBA for a postgame altercation that took place on December 28th with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic. Schroder served the first of a three-game suspension on Sunday.
Forward Keegan Murray will miss 3-4 weeks with a moderate left ankle sprain.
Center Domantas Sabonis, who has been sidelined since November 16th due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee, will miss at least another 2-3 weeks of action.
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will complete a back-to-back on Monday night against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento has dropped both games against the Lakers this season, including the most recent matchup–a 125-101 loss in Los Angeles on December 28th.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers 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.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
- Monday, January 12th – vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PT
- Wednesday, January 14th – vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 PM PT
- Friday, January 16th – vs. Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM PT
- Sunday, January 18th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 6:00 PM PT
- Tuesday, January 20th – vs. Miami Heat – 7:00 PM PT
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