What we learned as Kings’ new faces shine in California Classic win

What we learned as Kings’ new faces shine in California Classic win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SACRAMENTO – With their first-round draft pick unavailable while awaiting shoulder surgery, the Kings again turned to a few of their young players and prospects to shoulder the load in a lopsided 85-59 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the California Classic at Golden 1 Center on Sunday.

Keon Ellis, who has evolved into a key role player with the Kings over the previous two seasons after going undrafted out of college, led the way with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. Colby Jones, the Kings’ second-round draft pick in 2023, added seven points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

As expected, Kings first-round draft pick Devin Carter did not play. Carter is facing likely left shoulder surgery later this week that could put his availability for the 2024-25 regular season up in the air.

Another Kings player not attending was 2022 first-round draft pick Keegan Murray. Murray wasn’t likely going to participate anyway, but he’s been playing with the USA Men’s Basketball Select Team against the USA Men’s Olympic team in Las Vegas.

Although this one wasn’t as lopsided as Sacramento’s 51-point blowout of China on Saturday, the Kings still won this one handily.

They led nearly the entire way and shot 50 percent (32 of 64) from the field while limiting the Spurs to 23.6-percent shooting (17 of 72).

The Kings were coached by Doug Christie, an assistant on Mike Brown’s staff. Lindsay Harding, who coaches the franchise’s G League team in nearby Stockton, also was a part of Christie’s crew.

There still was no official announcement from the Kings about a rumored trade for DeMar DeRozan.

Here are the takeaways from Sunday’s game:

Healthy Crawford A Lift On D

Undrafted out of college before signing a two-way contract as a free agent, Isaiah Crawford used his time on the floor wisely and definitely turned some heads in his debut at Golden 1 Center.

Coming off the bench, Crawford connected on his first three shots then went quiet on offense after that, but stayed busy with six rebounds,…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/learned-kings-faces-shine-california-050700769.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-07-08 05:07:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.