Golden 1 Center used to be a safehaven for the Sacramento Kings. Times have changed.
Sacramento opened up a five-game homestand in familiar fashion on Tuesday night, losing by a final of 114-103 to the Phoenix Suns.
The Kings (14-49) have lost 18 of their past 20 games, including an eight-game losing streak on their home floor.
Sacramento’s eight-game home losing streak is tied for the second-longest such skid in franchise history, joining the 2021-22, 2008-09, 1993-94, and 1971-72 teams. The 1989-90 and 1990-91 Kings hold the record with 12-straight home losses (streak was over two seasons).
Hey, at least the Kings are keeping pace for a top-five pick in this summer’s NBA Draft. They’ll end the night with a two-game lead over Brooklyn and Indiana for the worst record in the league with 19 games to go.
Malik Monk beats the shot clock buzzer with this WILD shot off one foot.
📺 NBC (PT/Select MT) and Peacock pic.twitter.com/5mluJwXVgJ
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) March 4, 2026
Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns takeaways
On the heels of an entertaining opening period that was headlined by 11 points from Malik Monk, the Suns brought Sacramento’s offense to a halt as play entered the second quarter.
Phoenix opened the second on a 22-4 run, one that turned an eight-point Kings lead into another double-digit deficit, something Sacramento has been used to this season as they continue to crawl towards the regular season finish line.
Precious Achiuwa has been arguably playing the best basketball of his NBA career over the past few weeks, and the forward continued to showcase his ability to attack the basket on Tuesday night.
Achiuwa helped Sacramento weather the Suns’ run by scoring 16 first-half points, marking the fifth time over his past seven games that he’s scored 14 points or more.
Thanks to the efforts of Achiuwa and Russell Westbrook (10 points in the second quarter), the Kings kept things close entering the break, trailing 59-55 with plenty of game left to be played.
“Precious got vicious!”
Another huge slam for Precious Achiuwa!
📺 NBC (PT/Select MT) and Peacock pic.twitter.com/4vhvItHOjV
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) March 4, 2026
Sacramento entered the night with the fourth-worst three-point defense in the NBA, allowing opponents to shoot nearly 37 percent from deep in 2025-26, and their bad track record was on full display in the third quarter.
The Suns knocked down seven of their 19 attempts from long distance during the period to open things up, taking a 15-point lead into the fourth to put the Kings on the ropes.
Phoenix coasted the rest of the way, with three-point shooting and second-chance points looming large as the Playoff-hopeful Suns picked up their 35th win of the season, putting them one victory short of matching their entire win total from last season.
By the time the final horn sounded, Phoenix had outscored the Kings 27-13 on second-chance points and made 19 triples (on 38% shooting) against Sacramento’s seven (on 25% shooting).
Meanwhile, the Kings inched closer to loss number 50, something they haven’t done since the 2021-22 season when they finished with a record of 30-52.
Max Keeps Rolling
Maxime Raynaud continues to look like a steal for Sacramento.
The rookie center was drafted with the 42nd pick in last summer’s NBA Draft, but it’s becoming clear why draft experts viewed him as a first-round talent.
Raynaud scored in double figures for the seventh-straight game, the longest such streak during his NBA career, scoring 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the floor to go along with 10 rebounds and four assists–his Rookie class-leading 13th double-double of the season.
The French product has stepped up in a big way as the Kings navigate the rest of the season without Domantas Sabonis (knee) and has firmly planted his flag in Sacramento’s starting center role the rest of the way.
Only seven Kings rookies in the Sacramento era (1985-present) have scored 10+ points and grabbed 5+ rebounds in seven or more straight games, and Raynaud is one of them:
Sacramento Kings rookies in the Sacramento Era (1985-present) to post 10+ points and 5+ rebounds in 7+ consecutive games:
Maxime Raynaud (2025-26)
Marvin Bagley III (2018-19)
DeMarcus Cousins (2010-11)
Omri Casspi (2009-10)
Jason Thompson (2008-09)
Brian Grant (1994-95)
Lionel…
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) March 4, 2026
Sacramento Kings Injury Updates
Forward Keegan Murray will be re-evaluated in the next two weeks with a mild left ankle sprain.
Center Dylan Cardwell (left ankle sprain) will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Guard Zach LaVine (left fifth finger tendon repair) will miss the rest of the season.
Forward De’Andre Hunter (left eye retinal repair) will miss the rest of the season.
Center Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair) will miss the rest of the season.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will continue a five-game homestand on Thursday night when they face the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento dropped an ugly 120-94 contest on February 9th in New Orleans, a game in which the Pelicans shot 54 percent from the field.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, March 5th vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 8th vs. Chicago Bulls – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 10th vs. Indiana Pacers – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, March 11th vs. Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, March 14th @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 PM PT
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