Offensive struggles continue as Sacramento Kings fall to Blazers in Valanciunas' debut

Jason Anderson, The Sacramento Bee on Feb 7, 2025

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Anfernee Simons scored 30 points to help the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers beat the Sacramento Kings 108-102 on Thursday at Moda Center.

The Blazers spoiled the debut of Jonas Valanciunas one night after the Kings suffered a 130-111 loss to the Orlando Magic in Zach LaVine’s debut.

Shaedon Sharpe came off the bench to score 24 points for the Blazers (23-29), who have won six in a row and 10 of their last 11.

DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points to lead the Kings (25-26), who have lost four of five and six of their last eight. They have fallen to 10th in the Western Conference after moving up to eighth following Monday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Kings, who are integrating LaVine into the lineup after trading De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, shot 42% from the field while going 10 of 30 (.333) from 3-point range. The Blazers shot just 43.3% overall, but they went 16 of 40 (.400) from long distance.

Sacramento made a trade to acquire Jake LaRavia from the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, adding much-needed defense and depth at the forward position, but he wasn’t available against the Blazers.

La Ravia could make his debut when the Kings play host to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday at Golden 1 Center.

Stat leaders

Malik Monk had 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals for Sacramento, but he went 8 of 20 from the field and 2 of 6 from 3-point range.

LaVine scored 20 points, going 7 of 18 overall and 3 of 9 from beyond the arc. Keegan Murray added 12 points and seven rebounds. Domantas Sabonis had 10 points, 14 rebounds and four assists before fouling out with 3:02 remaining.

Deandre Ayton had 18 points and eight rebounds for Portland. Jerami Grant had 12 points and three blocked shots.

Valanciunas’ debut

The Kings acquired Valanciunas from the Washington Wizards on Wednesday in exchange for Sidy Cissoko and a second-round draft pick. The 6-foot-11, 265-pound center will serve as the primary backup to Sabonis, his former teammate on the Lithuanian national team.

Valanciunas checked in for the first time with 2:45 to play in the first period. He made his first shot, a 15-foot baseline jumper, on an assist from LaVine.

Valanciunas played 17 minutes and closed out the game after Sabonis fouled out. He finished with six points on 2-of-8 shooting with five rebounds and three assists.

Halftime report

The Kings got off to a hot start, making 7 of 9 from the field and 3 of 4 from 3-point range to start the game while jumping out to a 17-11 lead.

The Blazers tied the game 27-27 at the end of the first quarter and took a 34-29 lead after the Kings missed seven of their first eight shots in the second period. Sacramento trailed 54-50 at the half after shooting 30.4% in the second period.

Monk led the Kings with 13 points in the first half. Murray had 12 points and four rebounds.

Sharpe led the Blazers with 14 points. Ayton had 12.

Second half

The Kings took a 60-58 lead on a 3-pointer by LaVine after outscoring the Blazers 10-4 to start the second half. They went up by six on a dunk by Keon Ellis, but the Blazers ended the third quarter with a 10-2 run to take a 79-77 lead going into the fourth.

Portland led 90-85 with under eight minutes to go. Sacramento went up 91-90 on a three-point play by DeRozan, but the Kings found themselves trailing 98-94 following a dunk by Camara with 3:24 remaining.

Sabonis fouled out with 3:02 to go. The Kings challenged the call, but they were unsuccessful. Simons hit a 3-pointer and Ayton made a short jumper in the paint to put the Blazers up 103-96.

DeRozan hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to four with 1:16 remaining, but the Kings couldn’t get any closer.

Up next

The Kings will entertain the Pelicans on Saturday before setting out on a three-game road trip.

The Pelicans (12-39) are coming off a 144-119 loss to the Denver Nuggets. They have lost seven in a row after winning five of six in mid-January. The Kings will play the Pelicans three times in a span of six days.