Kings Struggle with Three-Point Defense in Blowout Loss to Charlotte

The Sacramento Kings were routed 134-90 by the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. The loss came in Charlotte, where the Hornets held a 37-34 record entering the game.

Shooting disparity defined the game

Charlotte made 26 of 55 three-pointers. Sacramento managed only 9 of 28 from long range. The Hornets also scored 30 second-chance points off 12 offensive rebounds.

That combination widened the gap early and often. The Kings struggled with their three-point defense in the blowout at Charlotte.

Key contributors for Charlotte

Coby White led the Hornets with 27 points. LaMelo Ball added 20 points. Kon Knueppel scored 14 and Brandon Miller finished with 13.

That quartet shot 19-for-38 from three-point range. Charlotte rested its starters in the fourth quarter despite the final margin.

Injuries and lineup changes for Sacramento

Head coach Doug Christie was short-handed. De’Andre Hunter (eye), Zach LaVine (finger), Keegan Murray (ankle), Domantas Sabonis (knee), and Russell Westbrook (foot) were all out.

Additional absences included Nique Clifford (foot), Drew Eubanks (thumb), Precious Achiuwa (back), and Killian Hayes (foot). Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Malik Monk made their first starts of the season.

Limited depth affected rotations

Christie had only eight available players. He removed three starters early and used Plowden, Doug McDermott, and Dylan Cardwell off the bench. The thin roster hindered any sustained response.

Individual performances amid the rout

Daeqwon Plowden led Sacramento with 22 points on 9-for-17 shooting. Devin Carter scored 18 points. Rookie Maxime Raynaud added 16 points.

Raynaud, a second-round pick, drew minutes in the frontcourt and supplied interior scoring. Plowden flashed in transition, but the team could not overcome the deficit.

Notable milestone

DeMar DeRozan passed the 26,000-career-point mark with his first basket. He became the 23rd player in NBA history to reach that total.

Game flow and turning points

Charlotte opened a 20-10 lead early after a 16-4 run. The Hornets closed the first half on a 17-5 spurt and led 72-47 at intermission.

Charlotte outscored Sacramento 20-2 in second-chance points in the first half. The Hornets shot 13-for-29 from three in that same span, while the Kings were 3-for-12.

A 15-0 Charlotte run in the third quarter pushed the lead to 98-57. Sacramento trailed 113-76 entering the fourth quarter, after which Charlotte sat its starters.

What’s next

Sacramento will continue its road trip in Orlando on Thursday afternoon at the Kia Center. The Kings will try to regroup and address defensive issues on the perimeter.

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