Week in review: Alvin Gentry's search for consistency continues

Kings post another up and down week filled with major highs and even lower lows

Author

James Ham
December 04, 2021

Welcome to The Kings Beat. A friendly reminder that this is a free preview of soon-to-be premium content. If you want to support original columns just like this, make sure to get a premium subscription to The Kings Beat. 

Kings record: 9-14

Kings record on the week: 1-2

Interim head coach Alvin Gentry is searching for consistency, just like Luke Walton was during the first 17 games of the season. Gentry's 3-3 record doesn't quite capture the up and down nature of the team.

It's not just one game to the next. Gentry can't even count on consistency from one quarter to the next with this group.

After a wild triple overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers last Friday at Staples Center, the Kings walked into Memphis with a little confidence. Despite star guard Ja Morant sitting out, the Grizzlies smacked the Kings around for a 128-101 win.

The Kings were missing three starters in Harrison Barnes, Moe Harkless and Richaun Holmes, but giving up 76 points in the first half is embarrassing. 

Following the drubbing in Memphis, the Kings returned home for a rematch against the Lakers. Through the first 24 minutes it looked like the two teams were headed for another close battle. And then everything went wrong for Sacramento.

The Kings laid down in stunning fashion on their home floor against a Lakers squad that was missing LeBron James. This may have been a low point in the Golden 1 Center era. Lakers fans overran the building and drowned out the home crowd with chants of "Let's go Lakers."

It was an uncomfortable media session following the loss to the Lakers, but the Kings had very little time to lick their wounds. There was a team discussion following the loss and another one in Los Angles during a film session the next morning.

Whatever was said behind closed doors had an impact on the Kings when they took the floor against the Clipper on the second night of a back-to-back. Sacramento was motivated and dominant against an LA team missing Paul George. 

Terence Davis, Davion Mitchell and De'Aaron Fox all scored in double figures to lead the Kings to a 124-115 win. Sacramento let off the gas late in what was a blowout through most of the night.

Injuries

Harrison Barnes continues to miss games with a sprained right foot, although he appears to be progressing and could make his return some time this week. Moe Harkless has a sore left knee, which has held him out of three straight games and he is not expected to play Saturday against the Clippers. Marvin Bagley missed a pair of games this week with a non-covid related illness.

Player of the Week: Richaun Holmes

After missing a game with an eye injury and two more due to illness, Holmes returned to the court on Tuesday against the Lakers. Despite the lopsided final score, he scored 27 points on a perfect 12-for-12 from the field and added eight rebounds. In two games this week, the Kings' starting center averaged 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting an incredible 90.5 percent from the field.

Previous winner: De'Aaron Fox

Stats of the Week

  • 12,459: That was announced attendance for the Kings/Lakers game Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center. It's hard to judge how many were Lakers fans, but it looked like a 60/40 split in favor of the visiting team and that might be a conservative number.

  • 65-26: The Kings led the Lakers 66-52 with 9:59 remaining in the third quarter. From that moment on, Los Angeles outscored Sacramento 65-26 to come away with the 25-point win. This was a demoralizing loss with Lakers fans taking over the Kings' home building with chants supporting their team. There was no response from the Kings' players or their fans.

  • 3-8: Through 11 home games at Golden 1 Center, the Kings are just 3-8. It's a shocking record, especially when you consider that the Kings are 6-6 on the road so far this season.

Quotes of the Week

"You've got to flush it down the toilet and regroup." -Gentry

"The way you shut people's mouths when they are cheering and keep your arena is you kick their ass, and we did not do that." -Gentry

"As the coach of this team, I want to apologize to every Kings fan. You deserve better." - Gentry

"No more talking, none of that. Just get it done." -Holmes

"We've got to take this over as players and be better." -Tyrese Haliburton 

Videos of the Week

Gentry apologizes to Kings fans following Lakers debacle:

Gentry on Lakers fans:

Haliburton on his scoring struggles: 

Neemias Queta with a message to his friends back in Portugal:

Haliburton on changing the Kings' culture and not letting the culture change him:

Weekly Reading

Weekly Podcasts

What's next?

Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers, Golden 1 Center, Saturday 7PM

Kings vs. Orlando Magic, Golden 1 Center, Wednesday 7PM

Kings vs. Charlotte Hornets, Spectrum Center, Friday 4PM

Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Quicken Loans Arena, Saturday 5PM

Join the conversation

or to participate.