Kings suffer disheartening road loss to Philadelphia 76ers after building second-half lead
The Sacramento Kings suffered what might be one of their most disheartening losses of the season Wednesday night in Philadelphia, given the circumstances.
Sacramento lost, 117-104, at the Wells Fargo Center, against a 76ers team missing former MVP Joel Embiid and All-Star Paul George, and that was also playing on the back end of a back-to-back.
The loss came a day after news broke that the team is listening to trade offers for former All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
The Kings, now 24-23 on the season, didn’t show much resolve against Philadelphia. Fox in the loss scored 19 points with eight rebounds and five assists. Malik Monk led the Kings with 21 points. DeMar DeRozan had 19 points. Domantas Sabonis earned his eighth triple-double of the season with 13 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.
Fox earlier Wednesday confirmed reports the team told him it was fielding trade offers, while he said he had a “preferred destination” and pointed to the reports coming out Tuesday that said he was hoping to land with the San Antonio Spurs to play alongside rising big man Victor Wembanyama.
Interim coach Doug Christie was asked before the game about how he’s handling the situation with his team.
“It’s the business of basketball,” Christie said. “This is space out here is our sanctuary. This is where we come to relax. This is where we love each other. This is where we hold arms. I’ve been traded in this league. I’ve been traded on this team. So it’s part of what we do, and we know when we sign up. But this is our sanctuary and that’s how we treat it when we step on the court.”
The Kings were outscored 28-17 in the fourth quarter and were dealt their third loss of their four games on the road trip. The trip continues Saturday against the No. 1 team in the Western Conference, Oklahoma City Thunder, before wrapping up Feb. 3 in Minnesota.
The Sixers were on the second night of a back to back having beat the Lakers on Tuesday, 118-104. They came in winners of three straight games. Philadelphia came into the game 11th in the Eastern Conference at 18-27.
Tyrese Maxey scored 30 for the 76ers, who shot 54.2% from the floor and 41.4% from 3-point range. The Kings made just 10 of 41 from distance and shot just 29% in the fourth quarter.
Monk carries offense early
The Kings jumped out to a 30-28 lead in the first quarter thanks largely to a strong start from Monk, who scored 12 points in 10 minutes. He made five of his first seven shots in his highest scoring first quarter of his career.
No other King had more than 5 points in the frame.
Monk had 16 points and five assists in the first half while going 7-of-13 from the floor. It was his second strong opening half of the road trip after logging 23 points in the loss Saturday to the New York Knicks, including 18 in the second quarter.
Third quarter spurt, but Sixers respond
The Kings moved to a zone defense early in the third quarter that seemed to flummox Philadelphia. It led to a 13-4 start to the second half that included three Keegan Murray makes near the basket, including two dunks. On the second, Murray spun to his left against Kelly Oubre Jr. and dunked with two hands, leading to a timeout by Sixers coach Nick Nurse.
The Kings opened the quarter making six of their first eight shots. Fox got going after a 7-point first half, scoring 8 in the third.
Sacramento went on a 24-8 run and led by as many as 12. But Philadelphia bounced back with a 21-7 run over the remainder of the period and took a 89-87 lead into the fourth quarter.
Are trade rumors a distraction?
Fox’s uncertain future with the Kings has been among the hot topics in the NBA after it was reported the Kings were listening to trade offers for the former All-Star point guard ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Fox confirmed the news during shootaround on Wednesday, which didn’t do anything to quell the noise surrounding the team.
Christie, who was traded five times during his 15-year playing career, said pregame Wednesday he addressed the situation directly with his team.
“Of course,” he said. “We’re a family, so I want them to feel as comfortable and as safe as possible in our space, because that’s our space to do what we do. And coming in that space, it’s all love.”
Halftime report
Maxey hit a spinning layup as the first half expired to give the 76ers a 60-56 lead at the break. He had 17 points and five assists at the break while Eric Gordon added 14.
The Kings were paced by Monk’s 16 and DeMar DeRozan’s 12. Sabonis had seven points, nine rebounds and six assists in his first 20 minutes, putting him on pace for his eighth triple-double of the season. He helped the Kings win the early rebounding battle, 26-15.
Sacramento shot 48% from the floor but made just 6-of-20 from 3 (30%). Philadelphia went 7-of-13 from distance.
The Kings had 20 assists on their 22 made baskets in the first half.
Injury report
The Kings were without sharp-shooter Doug McDermott, who was ruled out before tipoff with an illness.
The 76ers banged up and without their two best players in Embiid (left knee injury management) and George (left finger). They were also missing rookie and Sacramento native Jared McCain (meniscus surgery), Caleb Martin (right hip sprain), KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction) and Andre Drummond (left toe injury recovery).
This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM.
