Kings Late Game Collapse to Pistons Reinforces Need for Big Trade Target

Winning in the NBA is not easy, but even bad teams tend to have the ball bounce their way every now and then. That’s not the case with the Kings this season, who are dropping close games down the stretch at a historic rate.

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Sacramento isn’t just losing, though they are five games below .500 and currently twelfth in the Western Conference, they are losing by the skin of their teeth. The team is the first franchise to lose 11 games by five or fewer points in the first 31 games of the season since the Nuggets in 1996. They are also only the eighth team ever to achieve that feat.

They have talent, they have role players, and they look great on paper. However, the games tell a completely different story. One where they stay competitive through the first three quarters and then fall apart in the fourth.

A Bitter Pill to Swallow

That story was on full display against the Pistons on Thursday night, when the Kings had one of their worst collapses of the season. After leading by 19, and being up by 14 heading into the fourth quarter, they ended up losing by one point 114-113.

In what first appeared to be an easy-win, the Kings saw the Pistons slowly chip away at their second half lead until De’Aaron Fox fouled Pistons guard Jaden Ivey to create a four point play at the end of the regulation. The shot put Detroit ahead and sunk Sacramento.

That play extended the Kings losing streak to five games, and dropped them to their worst record in years. Now, with the Western Conference playoff picture starting to take shape, it’s officially time for them to worry about getting back on track.

De’Aaron Fox was his usual self, putting up 26 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and four assists, while Trey Lyles scored 20 alongside DeMar DeRozan’s 19. However, with Domantas Sabonis out due to illness, they couldn’t keep the Pistons off the board down the stretch.

They were outscored an incredible 37-22 in the fourth quarter, which rapidly closed the gap and allowed Detroit to pull ahead in the closing seconds. For some teams, the game would be something to forget. For the Kings, it’s something they need to remember and work on going forward.

The Season Slipping Away

The loss to the Pistons shows that the Kings simply don’t have what it takes to currently compete at the top of the NBA. Playoff squads need to win the easy ones. That’s a major struggle for them right now. Good teams also know how to finish games. That’s something they just can’t do.

It’s unclear exactly where the blame lies for the Kings, but many fans are upset with both head coach Mike Brown and general manager Monte McNair. The pair put together a great roster. Now, it seems that they don’t know how to win with it.

There was even some confusion with Fox on the last play of the game.

“We told our guys if someone catches and their back is to the basket, foul then,” Brown said in the postgame interview when explaining the foul. “We were ok with them scoring a two at the rim, so you should not be in a position to help at all.”

That lack of communication shows the team isn’t on the same page right now. Giving up such a big swing to lose the game is inexcusable, especially for a franchise struggling to right the ship.

However, even if the team did follow his advice and came away with a victory, it would not explain why the Kings are having such a historically bad season in tight contests. Right now, all signs point to coaching.

The Next Move

No one in Sacramento is happy right now. With recent reports that Fox wants the franchise to get serious about winning, and with so many grumblings about leadership on the sideline, there’s no doubt they’re going to do something before the upcoming trade deadline.

Whether that’s bring in some help for Fox, or trade some key role players in order to get ready for next year, remains to be seen. Regardless, if the Kings want the star point guard in purple next season, they have to do something quickly.

He’s visibly upset, and that frustration isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“We knew this was a game that was winnable,” he said in a postgame interview. “…We gotta be able to finish games better. Know where the shot’s coming from, and we have to be able to get stops.”

In addition to being historically bad in close games, the Kings dropped to 6-12 at home on the season. That ties the New Orleans Pelicans for the worst home record in the NBA.