Kenny Natt used to be long-winded. The Kings' interim coach would smile and look around for the reporter with the next question.
That hasn't been the case lately.
Natt politely answers questions but appears eager to finish. Eager to move on to the next game, the next chance for the Kings to show the effort and energy they have displayed in spurts this season.
Several Kings had a hard time finding the words to describe Friday night's 139-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Natt was more interested in wrapping it up.
"We did not come out ready to play in the third quarter," Natt said. "We got off to a slow start, and we were never able to regain the momentum. That's basically it in a nutshell."
The Kings were behind 39-25 after the first quarter as the game began to mirror their worst defeat of the season, 129-81 Feb. 2 in Phoenix. But thanks to 11 points from Francisco García, the Kings outscored the Suns by 10 in the second quarter to enter halftime trailing 69-65.
The Kings tied it 69-69 early in the third quarter, but the Suns answered boos from the crowd by going on a 14-0 run. Phoenix went on to hand the Kings their third consecutive loss.
The previous two were caused by late-game defensive lapses. Against the Suns, those lapses lasted quarters.
"I really don't know what to say," said point guard Beno Udrih, who had eight assists and scored three points off 1-of-5 shooting from the field. "I don't know how we can play three games good and then one game just play bad. I don't know. I really don't know. I don't know what to say, seriously."
The Kings played without leading scorer Kevin Martin, who sat out with a sore left ankle. García started at shooting guard in Martin's place, scoring a season-high 29 points off 9-of-18 shooting from the field, with five assists and four turnovers.
"They are tough to guard when they get like that, when they're hitting every shot," García said. "They got into that run in the second half. We knew they were going to come out aggressive because they needed this win so badly."
The Suns moved within three games of the Dallas Mavericks for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. Phoenix also improved to 2-0 since declaring a "new season."
The Suns are ignoring their previous 74-game season, which ended after Phoenix lost 126-118 to the Kings on Sunday night at Arco Arena.
"We just have to take care of our six (remaining games)," said Shaquille O'Neal, who finished with 11 points and six rebounds Friday night while struggling against Spencer Hawes.
"We just have to take care of business, and we'll see what happens."
Hawes finished with a career-high 22 points, passing his previous mark by two points, while shooting 11 of 18 from the field in 38 minutes. Hawes recorded his 12th double double of the season by grabbing 10 rebounds.
"They kept pushing it at us and making plays, and we didn't respond," Hawes said. "You can't try to beat a team like that at what they do. For too long a time, we tried to match them when they pushed. They have books about that offense, and there's a reason they are good at what they do."
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521. To get alerts and game scores sent to your phone, text KINGS to 72737.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.