Daeqwon Plowden Continues to Impress as Kings Fall to Magic

The Sacramento Kings lost to the Orlando Magic, but Daeqwon Plowden stood out with a career-high 23 points.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:19am

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The Sacramento Kings fell to the Orlando Magic 121-117, but Daeqwon Plowden impressed once again with a career-high 23 points. Plowden has been on a hot streak, averaging over 15 points per game in his last nine contests as he makes the most of his increased playing time.

Why it matters

Plowden's strong play comes at a crucial time for the Kings, who are in the midst of a difficult season. His consistent scoring and three-point shooting provide a bright spot as the team looks to the future, and he is making a case for a more permanent role on the roster next season.

The details

Plowden topped his previous career-high, which he set against the Charlotte Hornets, by scoring 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 6-of-10 from three-point range. Outside of DeMar DeRozan, Plowden was the only Kings player to stand out, as the team struggled to keep up with the Magic.

  • The Kings fell to 19-55 on the season with just eight games remaining.
  • Plowden has averaged 15.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.1 steals per game over his last nine contests.

The players

Daeqwon Plowden

A 27-year-old wing player for the Sacramento Kings who has been making the most of his increased playing time, averaging over 15 points per game in his last nine contests.

DeMar DeRozan

A veteran guard for the Sacramento Kings who is capable of carrying the team on any given night.

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What they’re saying

“Tonight wasn't the start of a new trend for Plowden, and it's not even just back-to-back career-high games for the 27-year-old wing. It is now a nine-game trend where he's averaging more than 15 points per game.”

— Will Z. Stats, Sports Analyst

What’s next

Plowden's future with the Kings is uncertain, as he is currently on a two-way contract and will have to compete for minutes next season with the team's veteran wings. However, his recent play has likely earned him a more permanent contract for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Daeqwon Plowden's impressive performances in the final stretch of the Kings' season have shown that he deserves a spot in the NBA, and he is making a strong case to be a part of Sacramento's plans going forward.