Kings Break Franchise-Worst Losing Streak with Gritty Road Win Over Grizzlies 123-114

DeMar DeRozan and Daeqwon Plowden each added 20 points, with Plowden providing a crucial scoring punch in the fourth quarter. His 10 points in the final period helped Sacramento maintain distance when Memphis threatened to mount a comeback.

The Turning Point

Memphis briefly seized momentum early in the third quarter, taking the lead and threatening to turn this into another heartbreaking Kings loss. But Sacramento responded with an 18-6 run that built its first double-digit lead of the game, midway through the period.

That surge proved decisive. Sacramento carried a 92-89 advantage into the fourth quarter and never looked back, opening the final frame with a devastating 15-4 run. Westbrook capped the stretch with a three-pointer that gave the Kings a comfortable cushion with 8:45 remaining.

From there, it was about staying composed—something this team hadn’t managed to do in nearly six weeks.

Statistical Dominance

The Kings shot an impressive 50% from the field compared to Memphis’s 48.3%, while both teams connected on better than 54% of their attempts in the first half alone. Sacramento’s height advantage proved crucial, especially with Memphis lacking an active player taller than 6-foot-9 GG Jackson.

Achiuwa capitalized on that mismatch from the opening tip, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds before halftime. His presence in the paint gave Sacramento a physical edge it’d been missing during the losing streak.

For Memphis, Javon Small led the way with 21 points and nine assists, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper contributed 17 points, and GG Jackson added 16. But the Grizzlies, sitting in 11th place in the Western Conference at 21-35, couldn’t find enough answers defensively to slow down a Kings team hungry for redemption.

What This Win Means

Make no mistake—one victory doesn’t erase 16 losses. Sacramento still owns the league’s worst record. They’re still 22.5 games behind the Pacific Division-leading Lakers. The road ahead remains daunting.

But Monday night proved that this roster, decimated by injuries and demoralized by defeat, still has fight left. They showed they can execute down the stretch, make winning plays, and protect a lead when it matters most.

“This is just the first step,” DeRozan emphasized.

Looking Ahead

The Kings visit Houston on Wednesday night, looking to build on this momentum and string together consecutive victories for the first time in months. Meanwhile, Memphis hosts Golden State, hoping to bounce back from its second straight loss.

For Sacramento, the math says playoffs are impossible. The standings say this season is lost. But Monday night in Memphis, the Kings proved something more important: they haven’t quit. And sometimes, especially after 16 straight losses, that’s worth more than any playoff position.

The beam is back. Now let’s see if they can keep it lit.