Sacramento Kings Struggle to Blow Out Opponents in Dismal Season

The Kings were the only NBA team to not record a 20-point win in 2025-26, highlighting their lack of a true star player.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors like royal blue, fiery orange, and deep purple, conceptually representing the fragmented nature of the Kings' season.The Kings' inability to blow out opponents reflects their need for a true star player to lead the team back to relevance.Today in Sacramento

The Sacramento Kings had a forgettable 2025-26 season, finishing with just 22 wins and tied for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. A telling stat that defined their struggles was the fact that they were the only team in the league that failed to win a single game by 20 or more points. Even the league's worst teams managed to blow out opponents a few times, but the Kings' biggest margin of victory was just 16 points.

Why it matters

The Kings' inability to blow out opponents points to a larger issue - the lack of a true star player who can take over games and lead the team to easy victories. Their young core of Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell all showed promise, but none project as an All-Star caliber player that the Kings can build around long-term.

The details

The Kings' biggest win of the season was by a 16-point margin, which they accomplished twice - against the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. In comparison, even the 17-win Washington Wizards and 19-win Indiana Pacers managed to record three 20-point victories each. The Kings' lack of blowout wins was a reflection of their overall struggles, as they finished with the fourth-worst record in the league.

  • The Kings' 2025-26 season concluded in April 2026.
  • The NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the Kings' draft position, is scheduled for May 10, 2026.

The players

Nique Clifford

A rookie guard who impressed in his first NBA season and projects as a solid role player.

Maxime Raynaud

A rookie center who had a couple of 30-point games, but is not expected to be an All-Star caliber player.

Dylan Cardwell

A rookie signed after the draft who showed promise in his first NBA season, but is also projected as a role player rather than a star.

Keegan Murray

The Kings' fourth-year forward, who missed much of the season due to injury, was expected to take on a larger offensive role but was unable to do so.

DeMar DeRozan

The veteran guard scored 30+ points 17 times for the Kings, the most on the team.

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What’s next

The Kings will be hoping to land a top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery on May 10, 2026, as they look to add a true star player to build around and improve their ability to blow out opponents.

The takeaway

The Sacramento Kings' inability to record a single 20-point victory in the 2025-26 season highlights their lack of a dominant, star-caliber player who can take over games and lead the team to easy wins. This will be a key area of focus as they head into the offseason and NBA Draft, where they will be looking to add that missing piece to their roster.