Kings fight against defending champs, but ultimatley fall to 1-3

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Kings fight against defending champs, but ultimatley fall to 1-3

The Sacramento Kings led for 39 of the 48 minutes of Tuesday night’s action in Oklahoma City, but a tough stepback from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finalized the Kings’ third loss of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Still without Keegan Murray (wrist) and Nique Clifford (hamstring), they faced a shorthanded Thunder team without Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Kenrich Williams, and Isaiah Joe. They also were on the second night of a back-to-back, having defeated the Mavericks Monday night in Dallas.

Russell Westbrook got his first start since joining the team, fittingly coming in the city where he won MVP years ago. He and other Sacramento players had solid nights, but ultimatley came up short.

Russell Westbrook gets an ovation from the crowd as he is announced in the starting lineup for the Kings pic.twitter.com/MNG80sXNgy

— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) October 29, 2025

Despite holding the defending champions to 45.7 percent from the field — and less than 30 points in three quarters — late game execution caused the Kings to fall to 1-3 on the season, all coming in close games.

Kings @ Thunder Game Notes

Westbrook was assigned to guard reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but Christie’s squad switches one through four.

More familiar with the building than any other player in attendance Tuesday night, Westbrook made a mark early on. A prolific corner three-point shooter for the last few seasons, he knocked down two catch-and-shoot looks early.

Walking into one above the break, his third make from distance in as many attempts, Westbrook tallied nine of Sacramento’s first 16 points. The visiting champs were down four halfway through the opening frame.

The Kings struggled with turnovers early in the game, a recurring issue early this season. Their rotations have led to DeRozan being featured alongside a second-unit-heavy group, where he can prioritize doing what he does best — getting to his spot and securing buckets.

He did that in the first quarter, adding seven points on 3/3 from the field. Sacramento’s 57.1 percent shooting (12/21) in the first quarter was pivotal in their 29-24 lead at the first break.

Each side had committed four turnovers, resulting in a chaotic, high-paced start.

Switching up their coverage, Christie elected to run a 3-2 zone for a majority of the second quarter. Early on, it seemed to catch Oklahoma City off guard. The defending champs moved the ball around the perimeter without many paint touches early, allowing the Kings to run after rebounds.

LaVine, who tallied just three points in the first, put together a promising stretch in the second. Seemingly finding a rhythm after converting a few free throws, the efficient sharpshooter helped his side find their largest lead up to that point, 42-32.

Ridiculous behind the back bounce pass from Malik Monk to Russ. pic.twitter.com/i739TInU7v

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 29, 2025

It was only a matter of time until Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and Gilgeous-Alexander figured out how to attack the zone. With proper screening and overcrowding of sides, the former MVP slashed his way to the bucket while shooters like Aaron Wiggins capitalized on their chances.

The Thunder’s leading scorer had 16 points at the half on 8/10 from the field, both misses coming from three. Meanwhile, LaVine (11), DeRozan (11), and Westbrook (11) had combined for 33 points as Sacramento’s 56.1 percent field-goal shooting and zone defense created a 62-58 halftime advantage.

LaVine and Westbrook continued to generate paint touches and finish looks. At the same time, SGA looked affected by playing 35 minutes in Dallas the night before, missing some of his typically automatic looks from the mid-range. Sacramento took advantage of that stretch because it was only a matter of time.

Securing offensive rebounds and continuing to implement their 2-3 zone sparked a 10-0 Kings run, once again giving them a 10-point lead, 81-71. Gilgeous-Alexander’s first trip to the free-throw line came at the 3:30 mark of the third, sparking a 9-0 run for his own side.

After a low-scoring quarter (22-21 in OKC’s favor), Sacramento held an 83-80 lead with 12 minutes remaining.

That slower pace carried over into the fourth as the Kings found ways to score by getting to the free-throw line and crashing the offensive glass.

For Oklahoma City, it was time for their MVP to take over. Christie’s squad would send two defenders at him in possessions, forcing others to beat them. The strategy helped curate a seven-point advantage with 6:30 to play.

But, sure enough, Gilgeous-Alexander came alive with a flurry of buckets. Leading a 9-0 run capped by a Lu Dort catch-and-shoot triple, Oklahoma City took a 99-97 lead with less than three minutes to play.

It’s LOUD in @PaycomCenter! https://t.co/LdLAMZJVDJ pic.twitter.com/i3UBCgzQCg

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 29, 2025

After leading on the offensive glass (and scoreboard) for most of the evening, the Thunder’s championship DNA and experience arrived in the form of outhustling the Kings to offensive rebounds in the final minutes, eventually finding triples en route to a 104-99 lead with 46.1 seconds.

Sizing up Malik Monk, Gilgeous-Alexander stepped back to his right, splashing a triple to ice the game and improve his team’s record to 5-0.

Shai puts it to sleep wow pic.twitter.com/ISykwIEw2w

— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) October 29, 2025

The reigning MVP ended the night with 31 points, nine rebounds, and four assists on 14/26 from the field and only 2/2 on free throws in their 107-101 win over the visiting Kings.

LaVine’s 30-point streak came to an end, leading Sacramento with 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists on 6/13 shooting, including 4/6 from deep and 7/7 on free throws.

Sabonis managed 10 points, 18 rebounds (six offensive), and three assists but converted just five of his 15 looks.

Despite falling to 1-3 after their 107-101 loss, Sacramento can find positives in having led for 39 of the 48 minutes. They led the best team in the NBA (albeit shorthanded) to 45.7 percent shooting and had a chance to escape with a victory.

Late offensive rebounds are likely to haunt them en route to Chicago, where they’ll face the Bulls tomorrow night (Wednesday).

Each of the King’s first four games of 2025-26 have come down to the final moments, but Tuesday night’s loss drops their record to 1-3.

More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports

New general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie were transparent, heading into the 2025-26 Sacramento Kings season, that it is about cultivating an identity.

Perry’s six principles cover their mentality: competitive, tough, team-oriented, disciplined, accountable, and professional. Their veterans at the top of the roster —DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and new addition Russell Westbrook — obviously fit the bill.

But they’d obviously prefer to win games throughout this process. Christie’s “overarching principles” on the court have been to “defend, rebound, and share.”

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Sacramento Kings lack clear strength early in 25-26 season