DeRozan dazzles in Kings’ preseason opener vs. Warriors; Monk leaves game in first half

Fans were eager to see DeMar DeRozan in a Kings uniform for the first time in Wednesday’s preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors.

They liked what they saw.

DeRozan scored 15 points in 15 first-half minutes before sitting out the second half in a 122-112 loss to the Warriors before a sellout crowd of 17,889 at Golden 1 Center and a national television audience on ESPN.

DeRozan went 6 of 6 from the field, 1 of 1 from 3-point range and 2 of 2 at the free-throw line in his preseason debut for the Kings after coming to Sacramento in a three-team sign-and-trade deal. He scored all 15 points in his first nine minutes of action, fitting seamlessly into Sacramento’s offense.

Malik Monk came off the bench to score 13 points in 10 minutes for the Kings. Monk went to the locker room after leaving the game with 8:18 to play in the second quarter and did not return. According to a league source, Monk left the game due to personal reasons. Monk was not injured and is not expected to be away from the team for an extended period of time.

Domantas Sabonis had 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes for the Kings (1-0). De’Aaron Fox added 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Fox played with his left ring and pinky fingers taped after jamming the pinky finger on his shooting hand.

Fox said it was “a joy” to play with DeRozan.

“Bringing in that type of talent, especially guys who are extremely unselfish, you enjoy playing together,” Fox said.

Former Kings guard Buddy Hield came off the bench to score 22 points for the Warriors (2-0). Hield went 8 of 9 from the field and 6 of 7 from 3-point range.

Jonathan Kuminga scored 16 points. Stephen Curry had 13 points in 16 minutes.

The Kings started Fox, Keon Ellis, DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Sabonis. This will likely be the starting lineup when the Kings play the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opener on Oct. 24. Kevin Huerter will eventually challenge Ellis for the shooting guard spot, but Huerter still hasn’t been cleared for full-contact activity after undergoing left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.

The Kings led 68-66 at the halftime break before their starters went to the bench, giving way to a bench unit that featured Colby Jones, Mason Jones, Isaac Jones, Jalen McDaniels and Alex Len. Curry and Draymond Green sat out the second half for the Warriors.

Sacramento shot 51.7% from the field but made just 7 of 27 (.259) from 3-point range.

Golden State shot 53.7% from the field and made 28 of 52 (.538) from long distance.

“A lot of their guys were makings shots,” Murray said. “Just watching it and looking back on it, I think it was just a lot of communication errors and not being physical enough off the ball, which led to their open, uncontested 3s.”

The Kings will face the Warriors again on Friday at Chase Center in San Francisco.

‘Not Like Us’

The Kings were introduced to the tune of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a hit song that has become a West Coast anthem. The musical selection was a nod to DeRozan, a Compton native who made cameo appearances in the “Not Like Us” video and Lamar’s Juneteenth concert after being mentioned in the song.

Injury absences

The Kings were missing several players who have been sidelined due to injuries during training camp. The list includes Huerter (shoulder), Trey Lyles (groin), Jordan McLaughlin (ankle), Orlando Robinson (knee) and Devin Carter (shoulder).

McLaughlin is expected to be reevaluated later this week. Lyles is expected to be reevaluated late next week. Robinson will be reevaluated in early November. Carter is expected to be reevaluated in mid-January.

Buddy Buckets

Hield returned to Sacramento for the first time since the Warriors acquired him in a six-team trade that sent Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks.

Hield spent six seasons with the Kings before he was traded to the Indiana Pacers along with Tyrese Haliburton in the deal that brought Sabonis to Sacramento. Hield made a franchise-record 1,248 3-point goals in 385 games for the Kings.

“This is kind of where my career started and where I kind of made a name for myself,” Hield told The Sacramento Bee before Wednesday’s game. “I’ll never forget where it all started.”

Upcoming preseason schedule

Oct. 11 at Golden State Warriors

Oct. 13 vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Oct. 15 at Utah Jazz

Oct. 17 at Los Angeles Clippers

This story was originally published October 9, 2024, 9:57 PM.