Kings hopeful of halting recent troubles vs. Nuggets
The Sacramento Kings are coming off a dramatic win in Milwaukee, and their next goal is ending a losing streak against the Denver Nuggets.
Sacramento has lost five straight to the 2023 NBA champs but has a chance to snap that streak Monday night in Denver.
The Kings haven't beaten the Nuggets since Feb. 14, 2024, a 102-98 win in Denver. They have a little inside knowledge in their camp, thanks to Russell Westbrook, who played for the Nuggets last season. Westbrook signed with Sacramento late in the preseason and has already provided a spark off the bench.
He scored 12 points and had 10 assists in 34 minutes during the 135-133 victory over the Bucks, and he took on guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo when Domantas Sabonis was in foul trouble. Westbrook also was one of the Sacramento players to step in and defend Sabonis during a confrontation with Milwaukee's Bobby Portis.
It is the kind of fight Kings head coach Doug Christie was happy to see and hopes will continue Monday night.
"For me, I'm about that life," Christie said. "That's exactly what I want to see because, ultimately, we don't find out about each other until it gets rocky anyway. When things are good and sweet and things are going your way ... it's when it gets bumpy. What are we made of? What are we willing to do? They ran in and made sure he was good, so you check that box. You don't let anybody get up in your face. Check that box. And then you respond. Check that box. So, for them, well done, but that's one. There will be another one coming when we get to Denver."
Westbrook isn't the only one with inside knowledge in Monday's game. Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas played 32 games with Sacramento last year before being traded to Denver in the offseason.
Valanciunas spent the first 13 seasons of his career going against Nikola Jokic, and now he's the three-time MVP's backup. Valanciunas' strong play has allowed Jokic to rest more with the hope that he will be fresh during the playoffs.
Acquiring Valanciunas was one of several moves the Nuggets made to strengthen their bench, and it has paid dividends. Head coach David Adelman has rotated up to 10 players in some games, a change from last year when there was a noticeable drop-off after the second player off the bench.
Valanciunas has also helped boost the bench scoring.
"To have different guys and have different energy, I like that," Jokic said. "(Valanciunas) is definitely a threat down there. The guy can score, and he's big and dominant down there. He's getting people to collapse on him, and he's a really good passer. So, it's definitely an advantage for us."
Denver, coming off a disappointing 109-107 loss at Portland on Friday night, is just a few plays away from being undefeated. The Nuggets lost in overtime at Golden State to start the season and led late against the Trail Blazers before Portland scored the final seven points of the game.
Jokic finished an assist shy of starting the season with five straight triple-doubles against Portland. He matched the record of four to start a season shared by Oscar Robertson (1961-62 season) and Russell Westbrook (2020-21)