As Sacramento Kings begin a new season, here’s what to know about this year’s team
The new NBA season is here, which means Sacramento Kings fans will be hoping to see the giant purple beam light up the skyline beginning Thursday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Here are a few important things to know as the Kings tip off their 2024-25 campaign at Golden 1 Center.
A new star has arrived
The Kings brought in six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan to bolster their already-potent offense and add veteran credibility to the roster. DeRozan has been one of the NBA’s most clutch players, finishing second in clutch situations in both of the past two seasons.
In 2022-23, DeRozan’s 159 clutch points trailed only Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox’s 194. Now the two will be hoping to showcase their late-game heroics in the same lineup.
New goals?
The Kings energized the capital region two years ago when they snapped the longest playoff drought in NBA history by earning the No. 3 seed and having home court advantage against the Golden State Warriors. However, they fell to the Warriors in seven games, and followed it up last year by losing in the second game of the play-in tournament to the New Orleans Pelicans as the No. 9 seed.
That means the Kings are still looking for their first playoff series win since the spring of 2004. With De’Rozan, Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray in tow, the team believes it has a chance to end that streak 21 years in the making.
Fan favorites return
Malik Monk’s knee injury helped prove his value to the Kings last year. The Kings went 4-5 over the last nine games and the offense was missing his scoring bursts when they were eliminated in New Orleans. There was some fear Monk had played his last game with Sacramento ahead of unrestricted free agency.
But Monk surprised observers by opting to come back, signing a four-year deal worth $77.98 million, after setting career highs in scoring (15.4 points per game) and assists (5.1). He’ll be among the favorites for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award after finishing second in voting last season.
Also coming back for the Kings: Murray in his third season, Keon Ellis after a breakout campaign in 2023-24 and sharpshooter Kevin Huerter, who missed the final 15 games with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
How to watch
Kings games, excluding the games that exclusively televised on national broadcasts like TNT or ABC, will be shown on NBC Sports California. Their radio broadcast remains on Sactown Sports 1140 AM.
Games will also be available on NBA League Pass and the team’s app.
Thursday’s season opener against the Timberwolves, which will not be nationally televised, is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
