Humbled in Houston: Sacramento Kings get blown out by Rockets for second time in 48 hours
Mike Brown is imploring his team to play fast and physical without fouling on defense, but the Kings aren’t doing any of those things right now.
Brown held an hourlong film session Sunday to address the team’s issues following Saturday’s blowout loss to the Houston Rockets, but Sacramento’s identity crisis only deepened with another embarrassing performance Monday night.
Jalen Green scored 23 points to lead the Rockets to a 122-97 victory over the Kings before a crowd of 15,130 at Toyota Center in Houston. The Rockets, who only won five games by 10 points or more last season, led by as many as 40 despite sitting their starters in the fourth quarter.
“They kicked our behind, starting with me,” Brown said. “… They came ready to play tonight and punched us in the mouth, and we didn’t respond.”
Brown hinted at the possibility of lineup and rotation changes, saying he isn’t going relent in demanding a fast and physical style of play that will give the Kings a chance to win in the playoffs.
“For me, that’s what our identity is,” Brown said. “We want to play fast, we want to play physical and we want to play the right way together. We know what our identity is. It’s a matter of can we get five guys on the floor who believe in it and will go do it, and that’s my job.”
Alperen Sengun had 17 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists for the Rockets (3-3). Houston shot 57.3% from the field and made 15 of 31 from 3-point range.
The Kings shot 36.7% through the first three quarters while going 7 of 29 (.241) from beyond the arc. They were outscored 19-9 on points off turnovers and 50-38 on points in the paint.
Keon Ellis came off the bench to score a team-high 15 points for the Kings (2-4), who have lost three in a row with De’Aaron Fox out due to an ankle injury. Kevin Huerter scored 13 points, making 5 of 10 from the field and 3 of 8 from 3-point range after coming into the game shooting 20% from beyond the arc.
Keegan Murray added 12 points for Sacramento. Domantas Sabonis was held to eight points in 30 minutes. Harrison Barnes scored three points on 1-of-6 shooting.
“Our spirit got deflated and we didn’t have anybody out on the floor that could bring it back up, so that also was tough to watch,” Brown said. “When Keon came in the game, just his activity, his confidence, you could feel it. It was at a level that we weren’t at tonight, and then same with Kessler (Edwards). I thought both those guys impacted the game at a high level on both sides of the floor.”
The Rockets outscored the Kings 32-22 in the first quarter and continued to pour it on in the second period, amassing a 25-point lead before the halftime break. Murray, Malik Monk and JaVale McGee were already on the bench with three fouls apiece when Sabonis joined them after being whistled for his third foul with 1:04 to play in the opening half.
Sacramento committed 17 fouls and sent the Rockets to the free-throw line 22 times in the first two quarters. The Kings, meanwhile, attempted only four free throws.
“I’m OK if we get a foul with our chest, sliding your feet or going vertical at the rim, but if you watch the game, we just reach,” Brown said. “And we do it not just one possession, but we do it possession after possession after possession. We lead with our hands instead of our chest and we have to lead with our chest. If they score, look at the bench and point at us. We’ll take the blame, but right now we’re reaching when we get beat instead of relying on our help defense.”
Fred VanVleet made a halfcourt runner at the buzzer to send the Rockets into the break with a 67-42 lead. The Rockets shot a sizzling 57.1% from the field and went 9 of 14 from 3-point range while holding the Kings to 38.1% shooting.
At that point, it didn’t look like things could get any worse for the Kings, but they did. A third-quarter 3-pointer by VanVleet gave the Rockets an 89-54 lead. A stepback 3 by Jabari Smith Jr. put them up 95-56.
Houston led by as many as 40 in the fourth quarter after coach Ime Udoka went deep into his bench, giving his starters the rest of the night off.
“It’s definitely been tough,” Ellis said. “Everyone can feel that. We’re not playing our best. We know we’re better than what we’re playing, but it’s a long season, so we’ll make some adjustments and figure it out.”
Fox report
Fox missed his third game after spraining his right ankle in an overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 29, but he could be nearing a return.
Fox took the floor for a 15-minute workout prior to Monday’s game under the watchful eyes of coaches, trainers and medical staff. He started with some stationary shooting drills under the basket and worked his way out to the 3-point line, shooting from the corners, the wings and the top of the arc.
Fox still appears to be slightly hobbled by the injury. Brown didn’t have an update on Fox’s recovery before the game, but he seems to be progressing toward a return during the team’s upcoming three-game homestand.
Up next
The Kings will return to Sacramento to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. They will also face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday as part of a three-game homestand.
The Blazers (3-4) won three in a row before suffering a 112-100 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Robert Williams III left the game with a knee injury with 10:14 to play and did not return. The Blazers led 98-86 before getting outscored 26-2 over the final 7:53. ESPN reported Williams will need surgery.
Upcoming schedule
Nov. 8 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Nov. 10 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Nov. 13 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Nov. 15 at Los Angeles Lakers
Nov. 17 at San Antonio Spurs
