3-point Kings? Most shocking stats from Sacramento’s winning streak

The Kings are still attempting the fewest number of 3-pointers in the NBA, but no team has shot the long ball better than Sacramento during the team’s four-game winning streak.

That is one of the most surprising statistical trends to emerge for the Kings, who won again Friday, beating the Washington Wizards 128-115 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The Kings went 15 of 31 from 3-point range, shooting 48.4%.

The Kings (12-30) have won four in a row for the first time this season, suddenly playing like one of the top teams in the league after posting one of the worst records in the NBA over the first 38 games. The sample size is small, but most of the opponents have been formidable with impressive wins over the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, three teams that are currently in position to earn automatic playoff berths.

Over the past four games, the Kings ranked fourth in the NBA in offensive rating (124.0), eighth in defensive rating (110.9) and fourth in net rating (+13.1). When compared to Sacramento’s season rankings, those figures represent a stunning turnaround for a team that rates 29^th in offensive rating (109.5), 27^th in defensive rating (119.1) and 29^th in net rating (-9.6).

The most noticeable improvement at the offensive end has been Sacramento’s 3-point shooting.

Going into Friday’s game, the Kings were 21^st in the NBA in 3-point shooting (.349) and 30^th in 3-point attempts (30.0). Over the past four games, they are No. 1 in 3-point shooting at 46.7%.

Zach LaVine, Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook combined to shoot 18.4 of Sacramento’s 26.8 3-point attempts per game during that stretch, all with expert efficiency. LaVine shot 56% on 6.3 attempts. Westbrook shot 51.7% on 7.3 attempts. Monk shot 47.4% on 4.8 attempts.

“I think shot profile probably helps out a little bit,” Kings coach Doug Christie said. “We’re touching the paint. We’re advancing the basketball. We’re creating advantages. Guys are setting really good screens. Now you’ve created a 2 v 1 and now guys are touching the paint and spraying the basketball.”

This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 7:16 PM.

Jason Anderson

The Sacramento Bee

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Jason Anderson is The Sacramento Bee’s Kings beat writer. He is a Sacramento native and a graduate of Fresno State, where he studied journalism and college basketball under the late Jerry Tarkanian.