Rookie Davion Mitchell makes Kings history vs. Pelicans; vows to make Sacramento proud
Kings rookie Davion Mitchell made a promise. Then he made history.
The 23-year-old guard started by vowing to make Sacramento proud when he addressed the crowd before the Kings played their final home game of the season. He ended the evening by putting his name in the team record books.
Mitchell’s performance wasn’t enough to prevent the New Orleans Pelicans from clinching a play-in spot with a 123-109 victory over the Kings on Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center, but maybe it was enough to offer some hope.
Mitchell uttered the words Sacramento wanted to hear after the Kings were eliminated from playoff contention for an NBA-record 16th consecutive season earlier this week, telling fans their time is coming.
“This offseason we’re going to get better and make you guys proud,” Mitchell said.
Then he went out and tried to do it, treating an announced crowd of 16,047 to a brilliant display of vision, playmaking and ballhandling ability. Mitchell finished with 15 points and a career-high 17 assists, breaking the franchise’s Sacramento-era rookie record of 15, set by Kenny Smith in 1988.
“It makes you feel good to make history,” Mitchell said. “But at the end of the day, we lost the game, so it really don’t mean that much to me.”
Interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry, who has described Mitchell as the hardest worker he has seen in his 33 years in the NBA, was asked if he wished Mitchell would enjoy the moment.
“Yeah, but it doesn’t matter,” Gentry said. “He’s not going to.”
Jaxson Hayes had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Pelicans (35-44), who shot 50.6% from the field and 48% from 3-point range. CJ McCollum also scored 23 points. Brandon Ingram finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
Damian Jones led the Kings with 22 points. Jeremy Lamb came off the bench to post 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Harrison Barnes had 12 points and six rebounds.
Mitchell has been sensational since stepping into the starting lineup in place of De’Aaron Fox, who is out with a hand injury. Over the past nine games, Mitchell has averaged 18.6 points and 8.9 assists.
Gentry said he has seen growth in Mitchell’s game and his leadership.
“A month and a half ago, he was still this quiet little rookie who would not say very many words during timeouts or anything, and I think that’s changed drastically,” Gentry said. “I think he feels confident. He’s not afraid to have an opinion or voice something, and I think that’s really good.”
Barnes receives award
Barnes was presented with the Oscar Robertson Triple-Double Award prior to the game, honoring him for his excellence on the court and in the community.
Barnes received the award for the second year in a row during a pregame ceremony. Barnes and his wife, Brittany, are active in advocating for humanitarian causes and social justice issues. During the holiday season, they provided grocery gift cards and meals to 100 families associated with Sierra Health Foundation.
Earlier this year, Barnes helped lead discussions as part of the Kings’ award-winning social justice initiative, Team Up for Change. He has also launched a series entitled “Conversations with Harrison,” in which he speaks to nonprofit and community leaders, educators, athletes, elected officials and business leaders to promote their work and bring attention to their causes.
“I am honored to be the recipient of this year’s Oscar Robertson Triple-Double Award,” Barnes said in a team news release. “We are in unparalleled times. But as a daily reminder, it is important to my family and I to keep an open-minded perspective of the different walks of life around us. I am always searching for ways to amplify the causes of organizations I care deeply about and to help make the voices of our generation heard. I am privileged to give back to the Sacramento community and make a positive impact to those that love this community just as much as I do.”
Fox and the Ox
Fox missed his ninth consecutive game due to right hand soreness. Domantas Sabonis missed his seventh straight game with a left knee contusion. Gentry would not rule out the possibility of them returning for the team’s final two road games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns, but that seems highly unlikely after the Kings were eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week.
“At this point, we’re not going to do anything stupid, so unless it was something where they were ready to go and 110%, we would not risk a situation like that,” Gentry said.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 11:57 PM.
