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Welcome in to your morning cup of Kings. Before heading out for the All-Star break, the Kings gave fans one more stinker to hold onto during the week away when they fell to the Utah Jazz by a final of 121-93. Here are six quick thoughts as the Kings’ losing streak hit a franchise-tying 14 games.

🏀 1. First start. In his 56th career NBA game, second-year guard Devin Carter made his first start for Sacramento. There were some highs and lows, but he didn't let off the gas. Carter posted 19 points to go with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Not bad, despite the lopsided score.

🏀 2. The highs and lows of a rookie. Nique Clifford is getting a golden opportunity to play not only major minutes, but a significant role with the Kings. Clifford shot 0-for-9 in the first half, and never recovered, scoring 6 points on 1-for-15 shooting. He added 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

🏀 3. Every game. Unlike so many other veterans on the Kings' roster, DeMar DeRozan continues to show up with his uniform on each and every game. The 17-year vet started all 56 games in the pre All-Star schedule. He finished this game with 20 points. 

🏀 4. Not this time. The combination of Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell have been a bright spot for the Kings, but not in this one. Raynaud scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Cardwell finished with 6 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 fouls.  

🏀 5. #FreeDougieMcBuckets The consummate pro, Doug McDermott has sat on the bench as a healthy scratch for all but 11 games this season. The veteran came off the bench and did exactly what he has done his entire career - scored buckets. McDermott posted 14 points in 19 minutes.

🏀 6. AJ Dybantsa sighting. While the Kings struggled to look like an NBA team, BYU star and future top three pick AJ Dybantsa sat courtside with his father. If the Kings land in the top three, they may hand the keys to the franchise over to the 19-year-old freshman. 

Here is the latest Locked On Kings episode following the loss to the Jazz.

Most of the players are likely heading out on mini vacations over the next few days. The team will reconvene early next week before resuming games next Thursday night against the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center.

Following that home game, the Kings will head back out on the road, where they haven’t won a game since Dec. 6, a span of 14 games. That road trip will take them to San Antonio, Memphis, Houston, Dallas and LA, where they’ll face the Lakers.

There is no update on Zach LaVine’s right fifth finger tendon injury. The same goes for Domantas Sabonis’ left knee injury management, Malik Monk’s illness and Russell Westbrook’s left ankle soreness.

What we do know is that Keegan Murray’s left ankle sprain and De’Andre Hunter’s eye issue are both being re-evaluated during the break and it’s possible the pair of forwards make their return in the very near future.

Head coach Doug Christie and general manager Scott Perry likely want to test the pairing of Murray and Hunter for long stretches during the final 26 games with an eye on the 2026-27 season.

Murray has missed a total of 37 games this season, first with a UCL injury in his left thumb that required surgery and then a moderate left ankle sprain that has cost him the last 20 contests.

The focus down the stretch of the season should be on developing the young players and making Murray the offensive focal point with the hopes that he can take a step forward as an offensive threat as he gets ready to start a new 5-year, $140 million contract extension next season.

Playing alongside a switchable forward option in Hunter should help take some of the defensive pressure off of Murray and allow him more freedom to expand his offensive game. How Murray responds to this opportunity will help Perry further assess his roster moving forward.