The Kings take their first lead of the game \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/sBVgs1j7Bh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) December 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Sacramento Kings vs. Trail Blazers takeaways<\/p>\n On the heels of one of their best competitive showings of the season thus far on Thursday, Sacramento didn\u2019t begin this rematch against Portland on the right foot.<\/p>\n The Blazers opened things up by putting the Kings in a 15-2 hole over the first six minutes of regulation, causing Sacramento to call on its bench early in hopes of injecting life into a lineup that looked outmatched early.<\/p>\n Rookie wing Nique Clifford (seven points) and guard Dennis Schroder (five points) brought the Kings back from a double-digit deficit, but first-year center Dylan Cardwell brought the energy on both ends of the floor.<\/p>\n Cardwell, an undrafted center out of Auburn on a two-way contract, blocked two shots during the first quarter, turning to the crowd following each swat with his arms raised to the sky as fans, bringing fans in attendance at Golden 1 Center to their feet.<\/p>\n The 6\u201910 big man knocked down a fadeaway mid-range jumper at the end of the period that brought Sacramento within two and gave the Kings a 14-3 advantage in bench scoring through twelve minutes of action.<\/p>\n Sacramento\u2019s bench carried the momentum from the end of the first quarter through the rest of the half, with Schroder and Clifford combining to score 19 of the Kings\u2019 25 first-half bench points to accomplish a feat that has been easier said than done as of late:<\/p>\n Remain competitive and keep the game close heading into the break.<\/p>\n Dylan Cardwell is lovin\u2019 G1C \ud83d\ude4c pic.twitter.com\/AiSje2Wm90<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) December 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It was a quiet third period for both teams, especially Sacramento, as they shot just seven-of-21 (33%) from the field and one-of-nine (11%) from long distance in the quarter.<\/p>\n While the starters (outside of Keegan Murray) continued to struggle, Schroder and the bench kept pace with the Blazers as play entered crunch time.<\/p>\n Cardwell had several moments on Saturday night, and fellow rookie center Maxime Rayanud made his presence felt by scoring six straight points to begin the final period.<\/p>\n Raynaud, the 42nd overall pick in June\u2019s NBA Draft, racked up his third double-double of the season against Portland, and his 13 points scored during the fourth quarter helped give the Kings their first lead of the night, and a chance to snap a four-game losing streak\u2013but the Blazers would do just enough to secure the win.<\/p>\n Both teams struggled to control the ball in this one, with Sacramento turning it over 18 times and Portland 20. The difference, however, was that the Kings scored just nine points off those mishaps, compared to Portland\u2019s 23.<\/p>\n Points off turnovers and an abysmal night from the Sacramento offense (39% FG and 20% 3PT) sunk the Kings\u2019 chances of ending the losing skid, leading to another losing effort\u2013one that dropped the not-so-Beam Team to a Western Conference-worst 6-22 on the season.<\/p>\n \u201cThe competition level is higher, and that\u2019s what we need,\u201d Kings head coach Doug Christie said of his team\u2019s effort on Saturday. Defensively, we were better tonight. That\u2019s the biggest thing. We have to compete at a high level.\u201d<\/p>\n Another DNP-CD For Malik Monk<\/p>\n Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk did not play on Saturday, marking the second straight game that the former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up failed to check in.<\/p>\n When asked about the decision to bench Monk for a second-straight game, Christie gave a similar answer that he gave on Thursday in Portland: Keon Ellis is getting a look in light of the Kings\u2019 defensive woes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe made the decision to go with Keon [Ellis], a similar position when Keon wasn\u2019t playing,\u201d Christie said of the decision to bench Monk for Keon Ellis. \u201cWe\u2019re going to turn over all the rocks and make sure we are locked in on that.\u201d<\/p>\n While Ellis, who, like Monk, has also been subject to countless trade rumors as the February 5th trade deadline approaches, will get more opportunities in the near-term, Christie made a point to say the change isn\u2019t permanent.<\/p>\n \u201cNot necessarily permanent, no,\u201d Christie said. \u201cBe ready when your number is called. We made a decision to go that way in light of the record that we have\u2026 Right now, we\u2019re searching and trying to find a product that fans are absolutely proud of, and that\u2019s the bottom line.\u201d<\/p>\n This story is currently being updated.<\/p>\n Sacramento Kings Injury Updates<\/p>\n Domantas Sabonis, who has been sidelined since November 16th due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee, will miss at least another 4-5 weeks of action.<\/a><\/p>\n Zach LaVine (moderate left ankle sprain) will be re-evaluated next week<\/a>. LaVine missed his second-straight game on Saturday.<\/p>\n When is the next Sacramento Kings game?<\/p>\n The Sacramento Kings will play 14 of their next 18 games at home, including Sunday\u2019s second leg of a back-to-back against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.<\/p>\n Sacramento dropped a 121-95 contest in Houston on December 3rd at the Toyota Center. Maxime Raynaud had 25 points and six boards during the loss, while Kevin Durant scored 24 in the Rockets\u2019 win.<\/p>\n Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on\u00a0Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from Golden 1 Center.<\/p>\n Sunday, December 21st\u00a0\u2013 vs. Houston Rockets \u2013 7:00 PM PT Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766297774_312_hqdefault.jpg\")
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\nUpcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n
\nTuesday, December 23rd\u00a0vs. Detroit Pistons \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSaturday, December 27th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Dallas Mavericks \u2013 2:00 PM PT
\nSunday, December 28th\u00a0\u2013 @ Los Angeles Lakers \u2013 6:30 PM PT
\nTuesday, December 30th \u2013 @ Los Angeles Clippers \u2013 8:00 PM PT<\/p>\n
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