February 12, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Sacramento Kings Center Jonas Valanciunas (17) thumps the ball against New Orleans Pelicans Center Karlo Matkovic (17) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Iimagn Pictures Sacramento Kings makes progress when all-star breaks.
New Orleans Pelicans are in a very bad season in its worst stretches.
The team will meet for a second night in a row in New Orleans on Thursday in its final before Break.
The kings make a modest move in the Western Conference position after winning three straight – two of them against the Pelicans.
Sacramento prevailed 119-111 in New Orleans on Wednesday after posting a home victory 123-118 against Pelicans on Saturday. In between, the visiting kings edged Dallas Mavericks 129-128 on overtime on Monday.
Sacramento, who recalled its list at the trading deadline last week, added another player after the game on Wednesday. The kings signed free agent Marklele Fultz until the end of the season and adds their depth to the point guard after shopping to De’aaron Fox on February 3.
The progress list looked good on Wednesday, when four king starts scored in double numbers and Keon Ellis came from the bench to publish a team high 27 points.
“Keon has done this all year,” said Malik Monk, who contributed 17 points. “Many people are surprised, but I am not. I see the work he has put in.”
The newcomers Zach Lavine, Jonas Valanciunas and Jake Laravia have not been able to put in much work with their teammates for a few days since they arrived, but it can increase after the All-Star break.
“When our organization goes out and gets more talent, it means that everyone has to sacrifice,” said Interim’s head coach Doug Christie, “and when we continue to go down this way, we know that it will always be about us and not individuals . ”
Demar Derozan scored 24 points on Wednesday. Lavine, the most important acquisition in the three-team trade that sent Fox to San Antonio Spurs, had 23 points and seven assists. Mainstay Domanta’s Sabonis recorded 16 points and 15 returns.
Sacramento will search for a four-game swipe of the season series on Thursday.
“It’s hard to beat a team twice in the NBA, let alone three or four times,” Monk said. “So we know we will get their best shot (Thursday) and hopefully don’t play Zion (Williamson) (Thursday) and makes it a little easier for us.”
Williamson has played in just 18 of Pelican’s 54 matches due to a hamstrings injury and cargo handling because he has worked his way back. He has not played in games on back-to-back days since October, although he has played in the last four games in a row.
He looked in top form during both matches against Kings during the past week and set up a season high 40 points on Saturday and got a game high 33 points on Tuesday.
Pelicans have the worst record in the Western Conference, and they have lost the last ten matches. Another defeat versus the kings on Thursday would send them into the break with a ski that would match their longest of the season.
“There is frustration,” said New Orleans coach Willie Green. “We have competitors in our dressing room. We all want to step on the floor and give us a chance to win the game. We did it (Wednesday), but some key concepts and some close games do not allow us to close these games.”
Backup Point Guard Jose Alvarado had a significant impact on Wednesday, which made only his 10th start of the season but his third straight. He got 18 points and tied his season high with nine assists in 32 minutes.
“Put him in the starting lineup definitely gives us more energy,” Williamson said. “He always has an impact on the game.”
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