Kings Rookie Raynaud Scores 28 to Defeat Pelicans

Sacramento overcomes 17-point deficit in comeback win at home.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:05am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in bright orange, deep purple, and electric blue, conceptually representing the dynamic action of a basketball game.A cubist interpretation of the Kings' comeback victory, with Raynaud's scoring explosion deconstructed into a vibrant, geometric display of athletic energy.Today in Sacramento

Rookie forward Maxime Raynaud scored a game-high 28 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 117-113 comeback victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. The Kings rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to secure the win at home.

Why it matters

The Kings' victory over the Pelicans showcases the continued development of their young roster, led by Raynaud's standout performance. As the team looks to build on last season's success, games like this demonstrate their ability to overcome deficits and win close contests against Western Conference opponents.

The details

Raynaud, a first-round draft pick for the Kings last year, scored 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting to pace Sacramento's offense. The Kings trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half before rallying in the second half to secure the win. Sacramento outscored New Orleans 32-26 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • The Kings overcame a 17-point deficit in the first half.

The players

Maxime Raynaud

A rookie forward for the Sacramento Kings who scored a game-high 28 points in the win over the Pelicans.

Sacramento Kings

The NBA team that rallied from a large first-half deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans at home.

New Orleans Pelicans

The NBA team that lost to the Sacramento Kings despite building a 17-point lead in the first half.

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What they’re saying

“Maxime really stepped up for us tonight. His scoring and energy helped us fight back and get this important win.”

— Mike Brown, Head Coach, Sacramento Kings

What’s next

The Kings will look to build on this comeback victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference standings.

The takeaway

The Kings' ability to overcome a large first-half deficit and rally for the win showcases the team's resilience and the continued development of their young core, led by the standout performance of rookie Maxime Raynaud.