Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa, left, handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies center Jock Landale (31) in the second half of an NBA basketball game (Credit: AP)
After the team’s most recent crushing loss, Sacramento Kings veteran DeMar DeRozan aired his displeasure, saying that the team’s mindset is in a “sh**ty place.” This frank evaluation comes after a terrible start to the 2025–26 NBA season, which was characterised by a crucial 137–96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on November 20, 2025.
Kings Struggle Amidst Losing StreakThe Kings lost to the Grizzlies for the eighth time in a row, with three of those losses being by more than thirty points. The team’s current record of 3-13 is concerning. Despite losing important players, the Grizzlies dominated right away, leading by 15 points at the end of the first quarter and 37 points at the half. Sacramento’s defence struggled, managing just 46.3% shooting from the floor while giving up 42 assists.
In a post-match interview with Chris Biderman from the Sacramento Bee, DeRozan articulated the emotional toll of the situation. ‘Don’t nobody want to lose the way we’ve been losing. I think it’s just everything right now for us is just sh**ty, honestly,’ he said. The Kings have been averaging a loss margin of 14.1 points during this challenging phase, transforming their anticipated offensive prowess into a chaotic performance.
DeRozan’s Future in QuestionThe veteran’s frustrations extend beyond the court, with ongoing trade rumours surrounding him adding to his stress. DeRozan, in the final year of his three-year, $74 million contract, acknowledged the uncertainty he faces. ‘I’m pretty sure everything comes into question when you’re in a situation like we’re in now. That’s another thing that’s frustrating. Only time will tell. We’ll see,’ he remarked. Despite these challenges, DeRozan remains focused on turning the season around for the Kings.
The desire for a turnaround is more pressing as the Kings negotiate this challenging period. Analysts and fans alike will be keeping a careful eye on the team’s performance in the next games.