{"id":509404,"date":"2026-01-01T07:35:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T07:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/509404\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T07:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T07:35:32","slug":"kings-embarassed-by-clippers-in-la-fall-131-90-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/509404\/","title":{"rendered":"Kings embarassed by Clippers in LA, fall 131-90"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before the game, Kings head coach Doug Christie said he wanted to see his group provide consistent effort after their blunder versus the Lakers on Sunday night.<\/p>\n

Safe to say it didn\u2019t play out how he would have preferred as the Kings were outhustled on the glass, provided minimal defensive resistance, and converted just 33.3 percent of their own looks in an eventual 131-90 defeat.<\/p>\n

In a season full of horrific losses, this was their worst one yet. The only silver lining, if you\u2019re desperately looking for one, was rookie Nique Clifford recording 13 of his team and career-high 18 points in the second half on 7\/12 shooting.<\/p>\n

Their second-worst offensive rating coming into the night may very well drop to dead last as the Kings fall to 8-25 on the season. They\u2019re ahead of only the 8-26 Pelicans in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n

Sacramento Kings @ LA Clippers Game Notes<\/p>\n

Having won four straight since their 6-21 start to the season, the Clippers had momentum coming into their matchup against the visiting Kings. Not to mention Leonard, fresh off a career-high 55-point performance, his first time recording 50+ points in his career.<\/p>\n

Murray in his return to action, was asked to slow down Harden while Precious Achiuwa was assigned to Leonard.<\/p>\n

But early on Tuesday night, it was the Harden show, taking advantage of poor pick-and-roll defense. Meanwhile, the Kings weren\u2019t playing the most efficient brand of basketball.<\/p>\n

Self-created isolation looks didn\u2019t convert as they started just 2\/7 from the field.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, as had been the case with Sacramento far too often this season, they allowed their opponents to get into the paint with ease early on. Ten of the Clippers\u2019 first 14 points came from inside the paint.<\/p>\n

That trend, along with their own inefficiency, unfortunately continued through the remainder of the opening frame.<\/p>\n

Trailing 34-20 at the end of one, the Clippers were shooting 50 percent compared to Sacramento\u2019s 30 percent. Harden (12) and Leonard (8) had combined for as many points as the Kings\u2019 entire team.<\/p>\n

Kawhi Leonard, aka the aimbot, is back at it \ud83d\udd90\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/OW9VSQ6oN4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

And it didn\u2019t stop there either. Lacking any offensive rhythm or defensive physicality, they looked outclassed. Their roster is probably in reality, but not to the extent it played out.<\/p>\n

Murray converted his first triple (and field goal) of the night early in the frame, but they were never brought back to life.<\/p>\n

The Clippers continued to secure easy offensive rebounds and penetrate the paint at will.<\/p>\n

Westbrook appeared to grow frustrated officially as Kris Dunn played his usual pesky defense, eventually picking up a technical foul after complaining to an official.<\/p>\n

Already trailing by nearly 20 points, the Kings then conceded a 19-2 run, leaving them down more than 30 (61-30) with four minutes left in the half.<\/p>\n

By the midpoint, that margin only extended as the Clippers led 73-40 at the break. Shooting 31.8 percent compared to 53.3 percent for the opposition was the story of the night, along with committing seven more turnovers (8-1).<\/p>\n

Leonard was up to 26 points while Harden had 16 and Collins added 12. No Kings\u2019 player had reached double-nique.<\/p>\n

It was a prime example of what had led to their second-lowest offensive rating entering Tuesday\u2019s late-night action, per NBA stats.<\/p>\n

Committing a 24-second violation to start the third didn\u2019t provide much hope for change in their favor. But some of their young talent began to get shots to fall, starting with a pair from Murray.<\/p>\n

But going even from that point on, or even marginally winning, wasn\u2019t nearly enough to help them chip away. At that point in the game and the season, truthfully, seeing flashes from their young talent was the best-case scenario.<\/p>\n

Clifford, quiet up to that point, put together eight straight points for Sacramento thanks to some smooth triples and soft finishes around the basket.<\/p>\n

That helped cut the lead to\u2026 28 as they still trailed 91-63. Again, slightly winning the third quarter (31-27) felt all but meaningless.<\/p>\n

One more 15-5 run for good measure to start the final frame was enough to empty some of the deeper bench pieces.<\/p>\n

Devin Carter, making his return from a short absence due to an ankle injury, made his first appearance with 7:18 remaining as the scoreboard read 115-76. Doug McDermott also entered the action.<\/p>\n

Forced to play the final moments of the game out, the final tally ended at 131-90.<\/p>\n

In a season full of horrific losses, this was their worst one yet. The only silver lining, if you\u2019re desperately looking for one, was rookie Nique Clifford recording 13 of his team and career-high 18 points in the second half on 7\/12 shooting.<\/p>\n

Their second-worst offensive rating coming into the night may very well drop to dead last as the Kings fall to 8-25 on the season. They\u2019re ahead of only the 8-26 Pelicans in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

One of the few bright spots in the Sacramento Kings\u2019 underwhelming 2025-26 season has been their rookie big men duo of Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell.<\/p>\n

Neither has been without flaws, but getting extended repetitions should play in favor of their long-term development.<\/p>\n

Having been drafted in the second round (pick 42 overall), it\u2019s unsurprising that Raynaud has played a more significant role than the undrafted Cardwell.<\/p>\n

Read More:<\/p>\n

Kings testing ideal defensive coverages for rookies Raynaud, Cardwell<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Thursday, January 1st\u00a0\u2013 vs. Boston Celtics \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nFriday, January 2nd\u00a0@ Phoenix Suns \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nSaturday, January 4th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Milwaukee Bucks \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nTuesday, January 6th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Dallas Mavericks \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nFriday, January 9th \u2013 @ Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT<\/p>\n

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

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