Some Sacramento Kings fans are more concerned about securing a top draft pick than winning games, but the players on the floor aren’t paying Tankathon any mind right now.
The streaking Kings continued their winning ways on Friday night, securing a 128-115 win over the Washington Wizards behind another group effort–one that saw six players in double-figures.
Sacramento (12-30) extended its season-long winning streak to four games and improved to 9-13 at Golden 1 Center this season (3-17 on the road).
Star center Domantas Sabonis made his return after missing the past two months, Dennis Schroder was back in the lineup after a three-game suspension, and the Kings remained perfect (4-0) to begin this seven-game homestand.
BRODI3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/NkG7j5Oo8w
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 17, 2026
Sacramento Kings vs. Washington Wizards takeaways
After scoring a season-high 20 points and pulling down 14 boards during Sacramento’s win over the Knicks on Wednesday, Precious Achiuwa had his offense going early against the Wizards’ defense.
Achiuwa continued his high-scoring ways by racking up nine points (four-of-four shooting) during the opening period–including two highlight-reel jams in transition–to lead all scorers.
The Kings came out swinging, ending the first quarter with a 19-point lead as Sacramento shot 62 percent from the field and scored nine points off Washington’s four turnovers.
Dylan Cardwell, the undrafted rookie center out of Auburn, continued to add to his fan-favorite case by completing two alley-oop jams–one being a reverse finish–that brought Golden 1 Center to its feet as the Kings took control of the game before fans had fully settled into their seats.
Cardwell shared the floor with Domantas Sabonis, giving Sacramento a mix of defense and offense in the frontcourt that paced a 19-0 run to end the first quarter–but that’s where things came to a standstill for the Kings.
The Wizards opened the second quarter on a 35-19 run, one that trimmed a once-21-point lead to three as the momentum from the opening frame dissipated.
Dylan Cardwell’s reverse dunk caps of a 19-0 Kings run to end the first quarter 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QoA03uADN4
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 17, 2026
As play entered the second half, Russell Westbrook got his offense going.
Westbrook, who earlier this week said that he enjoyed facing his former teams, continued to showcase his improved marksmanship by converting his fourth triple of the game in the third, scoring his 20th point before the end of the period.
The veteran guard is in the midst of the best-shooting season of his career from beyond the arc (35%), besting the 34 percent mark from the 2016-17 season.
Westbrook scored nine points in the third as Sacramento pushed its lead back to double-digits, outscoring the Wizards 34-23 in the period and ending the quarter on an 11-2 run.
With the Kings back in front by 17 entering closing time, Golden 1 Center reawakened, and Sacramento’s veterans put the game away.
Six players finished the night in double-figures, with Westbrook (26 points on six-of-nine from downtown), DeMar DeRozan (17 points), Zach LaVine (16 points), and Precious Achiuwa (16 points) leading the way for a Kings offense that shot 58 percent from the field and went 15-of-31 (48%) from deep.
Aside from a rough second quarter, Sacramento coasted to another double-digit win, with all four of their wins during this streak coming by 11 points or more.
The crowd at G1C rises to their feet as the Kings win their FOURTH straight game 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8HEUwxfNBn
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 17, 2026
This story is currently being updated.
Domas Returns
After missing the past 27 games due to a partial meniscus tear in his left knee, Domantas Sabonis made his return on Friday night against Washington.
Sabonis, who hadn’t appeared in a game since November 16th, came off the bench for the first time in his Kings career, marking the first time he didn’t start a contest since December 3, 2021.
The former All-NBA center finished the night with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, and one block over 21 minutes of action.
Sacramento Kings Injury Updates
Forward Keegan Murray will miss the next 2-3 weeks with a moderate left ankle sprain.
Guard Keon Ellis was ruled out of Friday’s game due to left knee soreness. Ellis is considered day-to-day.
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Sacramento will continue a season-long seven-game homestand on Sunday afternoon when it faces the Portland Trail Blazers for the third time this season.
Portland is 2-0 against the Kings this season, winning the most recent matchup by a final of 98-93 back on December 20th at Golden 1 Center.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 6:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Sunday, January 18th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, January 20th – vs. Miami Heat – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, January 21st – vs. Toronto Raptors – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, January 23rd – @ Cleveland Cavaliers – 4:30 PM PT
Sunday, January 25th – @ Detroit Pistons – 12:00 PM PT
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