Kings-Jazz notes: Ingles ejected, Davion’s defense, Hield sets record and Bagley plays
Kings rookie Davion Mitchell didn’t think Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles should have been ejected for the foul that sent him crashing to the floor late in the first quarter Friday night at Golden 1 Center, but the officials ruled otherwise.
After reviewing the play, officials determined Ingles committed a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2. The call resulted in an automatic ejection, sending Ingles to the locker room with 1:36 to play in the opening quarter.
Crew chief Kevin Cutler took a question from The Sacramento Bee after receiving a pool report request following the Jazz’s 110-101 victory over the Kings.
“When we looked at it, we had reckless contact to an airborne shooter,” Cutler said. “The contact was deemed unnecessary and excessive, which is the criteria for a flagrant foul penalty 2.”
Mitchell was seen shaking his left wrist after taking a hard fall, but he remained in the game. Mitchell was asked about the play later.
“I just saw a wide-open lane and I took off,” Mitchell said. “I think he kind of undercut me a little bit. I don’t think he meant to, so I didn’t think he should have got ejected, but I guess the ref had a different opinion.”
Davion’s defense
The legend of Mitchell’s defense continues to grow. And it isn’t hype. This kid is for real.
Mitchell electrified the crowd with his defense on numerous occasions throughout the night. Every time he stepped up to check an opposing ball handler, fans clamored with anticipation. Mitchell didn’t disappoint, wreaking absolute havoc on the defensive end.
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell had lots of problems with Sacramento’s rookie. He scored 27 points, but committed five turnovers while making only 9 of 25 from the field and 6 of 14 from 3-point range. Jordan Clarkson, the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year, also suffered the wrath of Davion. Clarkson was held to 15 points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field and 2-of-11 shooting from 3-point range.
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox has already called Mitchell one of the top five on-ball defenders in the NBA. Teammate Buddy Hield went a step further Friday night.
“I think he’s the best on-ball defender in the league,” Hield said. “The way he hawks the ball is different. His lateral movement. The way he closes out is different. It’s just a special gift he has, a special knack he has. He’s always on time. He’s aggressive and I think he sets the tone for this team.”
Broken record
With his first 3-pointer of the night, Hield broke Peja Stojakovic’s franchise record for 3-point goals.
Stojakovic made 1,070 3-pointers in 518 games for the Kings from 1998-2006. Hield now has 1,076 in 332 games since the Kings acquired him in the trade that sent DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017.
“It’s a blessing,” Hield said. “Like I always say, coming from where I came from, being a guy from the Bahamas, coming to Sacramento and beating Peja Stojakovic’s record, it’s a blessing and I’m humbled. Peja taught me a lot during the time he was in Sacramento and I’m blessed. I want to just keep writing my name in the history books, in the Sacramento history books. I can’t wait to see what I got in store for the year and many more years to come.”
Big ovation for Bagley
Marvin Bagley III received a rousing ovation when he checked in for the first time with 3:07 remaining in the first quarter. The 22-year-old forward came off the bench to finish with two points and four rebounds in 10 minutes.
Bagley, the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, did not appear in Wednesday’s season-opening 124-121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Earlier this week, Bagley’s agent, Mark Schwartz, released a statement blasting the team for its handling of his client, saying Bagley was informed he would not be part of coach Luke Walton’s rotation to start the season.
Bagley was needed against Utah after Maurice Harkless was ruled out due to left hip soreness.
“I’ve told you guys the whole time, this is our team,” Walton said. “We’re here to win games. So, Moe goes down, next man up, and Marvin, I thought, he’s had a good week of practice. He stayed ready and I thought he went in there and did some nice things for us tonight.”
This story was originally published October 23, 2021 at 8:50 AM.
