The Sacramento Kings have started the season with a 1-2 record, showcasing both strengths and areas for improvement. While only three games into the season, certain statistics highlight their current performance trends.
Key Statistics Highlight Kings’ Opening Three Games
Rebounding Challenges
One alarming statistic for the Kings is their average of just 36.7 rebounds per game. This figure ties them with the Brooklyn Nets for the lowest in the NBA. This marks a significant decline from their average of 44.2 rebounds per game last season.
Over the first three games, Sacramento has been outrebounded by a considerable margin of 148 to 110. Their rebounding struggles were notably pronounced in the absence of star player Domantas Sabonis during the first game. Although he has since returned from a hamstring injury, the team still faced difficulties on the boards. Furthermore, Keegan Murray’s return from injury is anticipated to improve their rebounding efforts, as he is the team’s second-best rebounder.
Assist Numbers for Domantas Sabonis
Domantas Sabonis’s contributions have also raised some concerns. Through his first two games back, he has recorded only four assists, averaging 2.0 assists per game. Last season, he averaged six assists per game, and the year prior, that figure rose to 8.2 assists per contest. Sabonis’s current numbers are a significant drop-off and indicate potential issues with the offensive flow.
Improving the shooting percentage of his teammates will be crucial as they move forward. Concurrently, Sabonis’s average of 6.0 potential assists per game is notably lower compared to 9.5 from the previous season.
Strong Three-Point Performance
On a positive note, the Kings are excelling in their three-point shooting. They are shooting 41.4% from beyond the arc, which ranks among the top percentages in the league. Meanwhile, they have limited opponents to a mere 31.0% from three-point range, showing improvement in their defensive efforts.
- Malik Monk has been particularly impressive, making 12 of 19 three-point attempts, translating to 63.2% accuracy.
- Russell Westbrook has also contributed by hitting five of his ten attempts from beyond the arc.
The Kings’ recent performance indicates potential for growth. If they can maintain their high three-point efficiency while addressing their rebounding and assist challenges, they could position themselves competitively for the remainder of the season.
