On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Phoenix Suns, losing 123-116 in a hard-fought game that started as a tight contest. The Sacramento Kings, on the other hand, took the night off on Friday following a narrow 117-115 home defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves the previous night. The Lakers’ game against Sacramento marks their first back-to-back of the season, adding an extra challenge to their schedule.
Heading into this matchup, Sacramento appears to have the upper hand, but the Lakers hold a slight advantage with three consecutive home games under their belt. Lakers star Anthony Davis has been off to an explosive start this season, amassing a staggering 71 points, 24 rebounds, eight assists, five blocks, two steals, and drawing 32 free-throw attempts in just two games. For Sacramento, DeMar DeRozan made an impressive debut, contributing 26 points and eight rebounds, though he was unable to score in the final two minutes of the Kings’ first game.
So far this season, the Los Angeles Lakers have played just two games, securing victories in both, which gives them a 100% win rate. They average 110 points per game, allowing 103 points to their opponents, with a combined over/under average of 213 points per game. Their defense has also been strong at home, where they maintain the same scoring average while holding opponents to 103 points.
The Sacramento Kings, in contrast, have only played one game, which ended in a loss, leaving them with a 0% win rate for the season so far. The Kings are currently averaging 115 points per game while conceding 117 to their opposition, resulting in an average over/under of 232 points. This early season imbalance highlights the Kings’ need to improve defensively to stay competitive in the Western Conference.
The Kings are eager to redeem themselves after Thursday’s nail-biting loss to the Timberwolves. In that game, DeRozan led with 26 points, shooting 7-for-18 from the field, while Domantas Sabonis added 24 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Keegan Murray also contributed significantly with 23 points, while De’Aaron Fox delivered a strong performance, racking up 15 points and 11 assists. Sacramento shot 46% overall and connected on 11 of 29 from three-point range, controlling the game early and establishing a lead. However, a fourth-quarter slump allowed the Timberwolves to capitalize, ending the game on an 11-1 run that ultimately sealed Sacramento’s defeat.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers come into this game with impressive momentum, riding the high of two consecutive victories. Their latest win over the Suns was marked by a strong showing from Anthony Davis, who led the team with 35 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Austin Reaves was another standout, contributing 26 points, eight assists, and three steals. LeBron James also played a critical role, scoring 21 points and dishing out eight assists. The Lakers boasted a 53% shooting percentage from the field, hitting 14 of 27 from beyond the arc. Despite a rocky start where they conceded 38 points in the first quarter and trailed by as many as 22 points, the Lakers rallied with a remarkable second-half comeback, putting up 71 points to clinch the victory in front of their fans at Crypto.com Arena.
This Saturday night clash between the Kings and Lakers at Crypto.com Arena promises to be a thrilling contest. Divisional matchups in the Pacific Division are known for their intensity, and every game carries weight, even early in the season. Although the season has just begun, each divisional game sets the tone for the teams’ standings and rivalries moving forward.
Sacramento might have a rest advantage, having had a day off while the Lakers are in the second game of a back-to-back. However, early in the season, back-to-backs are often less impactful as players’ stamina is still fresh from the offseason. Despite this, the schedule imbalance could still favor Sacramento, allowing them to bring more energy to the game.
The Lakers’ two wins so far have been by a narrow combined margin of seven points, while the Kings struggled to close out their first game. As both teams face off, they will aim to establish their footing in the competitive Western Conference, setting the stage for an early-season showdown that could prove crucial in building momentum.