Game ID: 22500766
Sacramento Kings @ New Orleans Pelicans
Monday, February 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NOP 31 30 31 28 120SAC 26 20 21 27 94
NOP vs SAC ScoutingNOP vs SAC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NOP availability going into 1/31 · back-to-backOUT Murray missed 20 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 3 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 4 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 46 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 4 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 5 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 10 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 27 min since (96% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 19 min since (85% of 22)
NOP availability going into 2/02 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 21 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 4 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 5 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 47 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 5 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 6 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 11 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 28 min since (99% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 18 min since (84% of 22)
NOP availability going into 2/04 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 22 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 5 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 6 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 48 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 6 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 7 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 12 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 21 min since (95% of 22)
NOP availability going into 2/06 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 23 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 6 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 7 since 1/23, returns tonight: 28 min (132% of 21)
OUT Jordan missed 49 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 7 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 8 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 13 since 1/11, out tonight
NOP availability going into 2/09 · 2 days' restOUT Murray missed 24 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 7 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 50 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 8 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 9 since 1/21, returns tonight: 5 min (35% of 14)
OUT Alexander missed 14 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 2/06 after 7, 28 min since (132% of 21)
NOP availability going into 2/11 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 25 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 8 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 51 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 9 since 1/23, returns tonight: 14 min (95% of 15)
OUT Alexander missed 15 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 2/06 after 7, 26 min since (124% of 21)
BACK Hawkins back 2/09 after 9, 5 min since (35% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/20 · 8 days' restOUT Murray missed 26 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 9 since 1/25, returns tonight: 25 min (105% of 24)
OUT Jordan missed 52 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 16 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 2/06 after 7, 24 min since (116% of 21)
BACK Looney back 2/11 after 9, 14 min since (95% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 2/09 after 9, 5 min since (35% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/21 · back-to-backOUT Murray missed 27 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Missi missed 2 since 2/11, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 53 since 10/31, returns tonight: 32 min (190% of 17)
OUT Peavy missed 2 since 2/11, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 17 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Poole back 2/20 after 9, 25 min since (105% of 24)
BACK McGowens back 2/06 after 7, 26 min since (123% of 21)
BACK Looney back 2/11 after 9, 14 min since (95% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 2/09 after 9, 5 min since (36% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/24 · 2 days' restOUT Murphy III missed 2 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 28 since 12/23, returns tonight: 25 min (89% of 28)
OUT Missi missed 3 since 2/11, out tonight
OUT Peavy missed 3 since 2/11, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 2 since 2/20, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 18 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Poole back 2/20 after 9, 25 min since (104% of 24)
BACK McGowens back 2/06 after 7, 26 min since (124% of 21)
BACK Jordan back 2/21 after 53, 32 min since (190% of 17)
BACK Hawkins back 2/09 after 9, 4 min since (27% of 14)
SAC availability going into 2/01 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 14 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Westbrook missed 2 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 13 since 1/09, returns tonight: 6 min (37% of 15)
OUT Eubanks missed 11 since 1/12, returns tonight: 4 min (31% of 13)
BACK LaVine back 1/29 after 2, 26 min since (83% of 31)
BACK Plowden back 1/30 after 37, 7 min since (27% of 26)
BACK Monk back 1/30 after 2, 23 min since (105% of 22)
BACK Carter back 1/25 after 8, 9 min since (48% of 18)
BACK Ellis back 1/25 after 5, 21 min since (118% of 18)
BACK Stevens back 1/30 after 49, 4 min since (24% of 14)
SAC availability going into 2/04 · 2 days' restOUT Murray missed 15 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 2 since 1/30, returns tonight: 24 min (81% of 30)
OUT Westbrook missed 3 since 1/29, returns tonight: 26 min (89% of 29)
BACK LaVine back 1/29 after 2, 29 min since (93% of 31)
BACK Plowden back 1/30 after 37, 16 min since (60% of 26)
BACK Monk back 1/30 after 2, 20 min since (92% of 22)
BACK Carter back 1/25 after 8, 11 min since (61% of 18)
BACK Ellis back 1/25 after 5, 21 min since (118% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 2/01 after 13, 6 min since (37% of 15)
BACK Stevens back 1/30 after 49, 11 min since (79% of 14)
BACK Eubanks back 2/01 after 11, 4 min since (31% of 13)
NEW Clifford 25 to 31 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 2/06 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 16 since 1/06, out tonight
BACK LaVine back 1/29 after 2, 27 min since (87% of 31)
BACK Sabonis back 2/04 after 2, 24 min since (81% of 30)
BACK Westbrook back 2/04 after 3, 26 min since (89% of 29)
BACK Plowden back 1/30 after 37, 16 min since (60% of 26)
BACK Monk back 1/30 after 2, 19 min since (88% of 22)
BACK Carter back 1/30 after 2, 17 min since (91% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 2/01 after 13, 6 min since (37% of 15)
BACK Stevens back 1/30 after 49, 11 min since (79% of 14)
BACK Eubanks back 2/01 after 11, 4 min since (31% of 13)
SAC availability going into 2/07 · back-to-backOUT Murray missed 17 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 2 since 2/04, returns tonight: 8 min (54% of 15)
OUT Stevens missed 2 since 2/04, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 2 since 2/04, out tonight
BACK LaVine back 1/29 after 2, 26 min since (82% of 31)
BACK Sabonis back 2/04 after 2, 24 min since (81% of 30)
BACK Westbrook back 2/04 after 3, 23 min since (79% of 29)
BACK Plowden back 1/30 after 37, 15 min since (58% of 26)
BACK Monk back 1/30 after 2, 20 min since (92% of 22)
BACK Carter back 1/30 after 2, 18 min since (98% of 18)
SAC availability going into 2/09 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 18 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 2 since 2/06, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 3 since 2/04, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 3 since 2/04, returns tonight: 6 min (45% of 13)
BACK Westbrook back 2/04 after 3, 26 min since (89% of 29)
BACK Plowden back 1/30 after 37, 21 min since (81% of 26)
BACK Monk back 1/30 after 2, 20 min since (92% of 22)
BACK Carter back 1/30 after 2, 20 min since (108% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 2/01 after 13, 7 min since (46% of 15)
NEW Clifford 25 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Cardwell 21 to 26 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 2/11 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 19 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT LaVine missed 2 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 3 since 2/06, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 2 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Monk missed 2 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 4 since 2/04, returns tonight: 20 min (142% of 14)
BACK Westbrook back 2/04 after 3, 25 min since (85% of 29)
BACK McDermott back 2/01 after 13, 7 min since (48% of 15)
BACK Eubanks back 2/01 after 11, 5 min since (38% of 13)
NEW Clifford 25 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Cardwell 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Carter 18 to 24 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 2/19 · 7 days' restOUT Murray missed 20 since 1/06, returns tonight: 32 min (92% of 34)
OUT LaVine missed 3 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 4 since 2/06, not on tonight's roster
OUT Hunter missed 3 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Monk missed 3 since 2/07, returns tonight: 20 min (91% of 22)
BACK Westbrook back 2/04 after 3, 25 min since (85% of 29)
BACK McDermott back 2/07 after 2, 12 min since (77% of 15)
BACK Stevens back 2/11 after 4, 20 min since (142% of 14)
BACK Eubanks back 2/09 after 3, 6 min since (45% of 13)
NEW Clifford 25 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Cardwell 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Carter 18 to 27 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 2/21 · 1 day's restOUT LaVine missed 4 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 4 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Murray back 2/19 after 20, 32 min since (92% of 34)
BACK Monk back 2/19 after 3, 20 min since (91% of 22)
BACK McDermott back 2/07 after 2, 12 min since (77% of 15)
BACK Stevens back 2/11 after 4, 20 min since (142% of 14)
BACK Eubanks back 2/09 after 3, 9 min since (66% of 13)
NEW Clifford 25 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Cardwell 21 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Carter 18 to 27 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 2/23 · 1 day's restOUT LaVine missed 5 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Hunter missed 5 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 2 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 2 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Murray back 2/19 after 20, 34 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Monk back 2/19 after 3, 24 min since (109% of 22)
BACK McDermott back 2/07 after 2, 10 min since (67% of 15)
BACK Eubanks back 2/09 after 3, 11 min since (80% of 13)
NEW Clifford 25 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Carter 18 to 24 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 25 and Bey at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Murray (24 straight), Poole (7 straight), Jordan (50 straight). 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; LaVine at 17 and Clifford at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Murray (18 straight), Sabonis (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-10 and the arc, New Orleans at 40 percent from three to Sacramento's 34. Call it New Orleans 119, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.
1/31 @ PHI 114-124 — NOP notes
NOP lost 114-124. NOP shot 43% (40 of 92) to PHI's 48%, 15 of 36 from three. Bey led with 34 (12 of 19, 4 of 7 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Murphy III added 19, Fears 12. Q3 was theirs, 27-20, the deficit cut from 13 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 104-87 against them. Williamson's -17 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/02 @ CHA 95-102 — NOP notes
NOP lost 95-102. NOP shot 39% (33 of 84) to CHA's 40%, 11 of 34 from three. NOP turned it over 7 times to CHA's 16. The glass went 34-59 against them. Murphy III led with 27 (10 of 20, 3 of 8 from three); Queen added 16, Williamson 14. Q2 was theirs, 34-26, but the other 3 periods went 76-61 against them. They led by as many as 22.
2/04 @ MIL 137-141 — NOP notes
NOP lost 137-141 in 1 overtime. NOP shot 48% (45 of 94) to MIL's 61%, 24 of 46 from three, and went to the line 29 times to MIL's 10 — 23 points from the stripe to their 8. NOP turned it over 8 times to MIL's 14. Murphy III led with 44 (15 of 28, 12 of 19 from three); Bey added 22, Williamson 20. Q1 was theirs, 34-30, but the other 4 periods went 111-103 against them. Queen's -12 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/06 @ MIN 119-115 — NOP notes
NOP won 119-115. NOP shot 54% (43 of 80) to MIN's 42%, 15 of 34 from three. NOP turned it over 16 times to MIN's 9. Bey led with 30 (10 of 21, 3 of 10 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Williamson added 29, Murphy III 26. The hinge was Q3, 33-24: the deficit went from 14 to 5. NOP trailed 56-70 at the half and won the second half 63-45. Murphy III was the night's best plus/minus at +9.
2/09 vs SAC 120-94 — NOP notes
NOP won 120-94. NOP shot 54% (47 of 87) to SAC's 40%, 16 of 39 from three. The glass went 39-50 against them. Murphy III led with 21 (8 of 15, 5 of 11 from three); Fears added 20, Williamson 18. The hinge was Q2, 30-20: a lead of 5 became 15, and the lead reached 32. Fears was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
2/11 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 27 and Bey at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Murray (25 straight), Poole (8 straight), Jordan (51 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Adebayo at 19 and Wiggins at 19 a game. Without Herro (14 straight), Larsson (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been plus-2 a night and New Orleans minus-11 and the arc, New Orleans at 43 percent from three to Miami's 35. Call it Miami 117, New Orleans 115, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/20 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 27 and Williamson at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Murray (26 straight), Poole (9 straight), Jordan (52 straight). 8 days' rest. Milwaukee comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 14 free throws a game; Rollins at 21 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Rollins (2 straight), Gia. Antetokounmpo (9 straight), Prince (45 straight). 7 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been plus-6 a night and New Orleans minus-12 and the line, where New Orleans takes 22 free throws a game to Milwaukee's 14. Call it New Orleans 116, Milwaukee 114, Milwaukee keeping it close.
2/21 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 122, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 28 and Williamson at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Murray (27 straight), Missi (2 straight), Jordan (53 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 30 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Edgecombe at 14 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without George (8 straight), Embiid (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 40 percent from three to Philadelphia's 30 and the line, where Philadelphia takes 30 free throws a game to New Orleans's 23. Call it New Orleans 119, Philadelphia 116, Philadelphia keeping it close.
2/24 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Williamson at 25 and Murphy III at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Murphy III (2 straight), Murray (28 straight), Missi (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 13 free throws a game; Moody at 18 and Podziemski at 15 a game. Without Ste. Curry (7 straight), Williams (2 straight), Cryer (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the line, where New Orleans takes 25 free throws a game to Golden State's 13 and the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Golden State's 34. Call it New Orleans 117, Golden State 115, Golden State keeping it close.
2/01 @ WAS 112-116 — SAC notes
SAC lost 112-116. SAC shot 46% (39 of 84) to WAS's 52%, 8 of 21 from three, and went to the line 29 times to WAS's 15 — 26 points from the stripe to their 11. LaVine led with 35 (13 of 26, 4 of 10 from three); DeRozan added 32, Raynaud 14. Q2 was theirs, 34-30, the deficit cut from 9 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 86-78 against them. DeRozan's -14 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/04 vs MEM 125-129 — SAC notes
SAC lost 125-129. SAC took 10 more shots (100 to 90), fed by 14 offensive rebounds, but shot 45% to MEM's 50%, 11 of 36 from three. Sabonis led with 24 (10 of 18); DeRozan added 20, Clifford 14. Q1 was theirs, 31-28, but the other 3 periods went 101-94 against them. LaVine's -13 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/06 vs LAC 111-114 — SAC notes
SAC lost 111-114. SAC took 21 more shots (92 to 71), fed by 12 offensive rebounds, but shot 45% to LAC's 52%, 10 of 37 from three, and got to the line 22 times to LAC's 36. Monk led with 18 (6 of 13, 6 of 9 from three); Clifford added 16, Cardwell 14. Q1 was theirs, 27-17, but the other 3 periods went 97-84 against them. They led by as many as 10.
2/07 vs CLE 126-132 — SAC notes
SAC lost 126-132. SAC shot 51% (48 of 94) to CLE's 52%, 16 of 37 from three, and got to the line 20 times to CLE's 32. Clifford led with 30 (12 of 19, 5 of 9 from three); Westbrook added 21, Carter 18. Q1 was theirs, 31-25, but the other 3 periods went 107-95 against them. They led by as many as 11.
2/09 @ NOP 94-120 — SAC notes
SAC lost 94-120. SAC took 12 more shots (99 to 87), fed by 19 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to NOP's 54%, 4 of 31 from three. The glass went 50-39 for them. Raynaud led with 21 (8 of 14, 5 of 6 at the line); Westbrook added 17, Carter 12. Q4 was theirs, 27-28, but the other 3 periods went 92-67 against them. Cardwell's -23 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/11 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Markkanen at 23 and Collier at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Kessler (49 straight), Mykhailiuk (2 straight), Harkless (40 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; LaVine at 17 and DeRozan at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Murray (19 straight), LaVine (2 straight), Sabonis (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-9 a night and Sacramento plus-3 and the defense, Utah allowing 116 a night to Sacramento's 122. Call it Utah 121, Sacramento 115.
2/19 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 123, shooting 43 percent and 28 from three, 23 free throws a game; Clifford at 15 and Carter at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Murray (20 straight), LaVine (3 straight), Sabonis (4 straight). 7 days' rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bane at 22 and Banchero at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Bitadze (3 straight). 7 days' rest.
So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-2 a night and Orlando minus-7 and the defense, Orlando allowing 112 a night to Sacramento's 123. Call it Orlando 116, Sacramento 113, Sacramento keeping it close.
2/21 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 113, shooting 53 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 26 and Castle at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 124, shooting 42 percent and 27 from three, 21 free throws a game; Carter at 15 and Raynaud at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without LaVine (4 straight), Hunter (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the arc, San Antonio at 36 percent from three to Sacramento's 27 and the defense, San Antonio allowing 113 a night to Sacramento's 124. Call it San Antonio 125, Sacramento 108, San Antonio by 17.
2/23 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Prosper at 18 and Jackson at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Aldama (6 straight), Coward (3 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 129, shooting 43 percent and 28 from three, 22 free throws a game; Raynaud at 15 and DeRozan at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without LaVine (5 straight), Hunter (5 straight), Cardwell (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been minus-0 a night and Memphis minus-12 and the arc, Memphis at 37 percent from three to Sacramento's 28. Call it Memphis 122, Sacramento 112, Memphis by 10.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
SACDC D. Cardwell
DC D. Carter
DD D. DeRozan
DE D. Eubanks
DM D. McDermott
DP D. Plowden
MR M. Raynaud
NC N. Clifford
PA P. Achiuwa
RW R. Westbrook
NOPBM B. McGowens
DQ D. Queen
HJ H. Jones
JF J. Fears
JH J. Hawkins
KM K. Matković
MA Matkovic
SB S. Bey
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
ZW Z. Williamson
SAC/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Murphy scores 21, Fears 20 as Pelicans send the Kings to their 13th consecutive loss, 120-94
NEW ORLEANS -- — Trey Murphy III made five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, Jeremiah Fears scored 14 of his 20 in the second half and the New Orleans Pelicans sent the Sacramento Kings to their 13th straight loss Monday night, 120-94.
The Kings have their most consecutive losses since the franchise moved from Kansas City to Sacramento ahead of the 1985-86 season.
Murphy has made 23 3-pointers on 40 attempts (72.5%) in the last three games. Zion Williamson scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and had six assists for New Orleans.
Maxime Raynaud had 21 points and career-high 20 rebounds — the 7-foot-1 rookie’s eighth double-double this season — for Sacramento. Russell Westbrook added 17 points, Devin Carter scored 12 and Nique Clifford 10.
Westbrook became the 14th player in league history to score at least 27,000 career points. The 18-year NBA veteran has 27,001 career points, 312 behind Elvin Hayes for 13th place on the league's career points list.
DeMar DeRozan made a driving layup with 4:08 left in the first quarter that gave the Kings a 20-15 lead, but Bryce McGowen and Murphy made back-to-back 3-pointers to give New Orleans the lead for good and spark a 25-6 run. Williamson scored eight points in the spurt.
Westbrook made a step-back jumper that trimmed the deficit to nine points with 7:36 left in the first half, but Sacramento got no closer.
Zach LaVine (finger), Keegan Murray (ankle), Malik Monk (illness) and Domantas Sabonis (lower back) did not play for Sacramento. The quartet combines to average 62 points this season.
The Pelicans snapped a string of 14 consecutive games in which they have not won or lost by more than 10 points.