The Sacramento Kings schedule has entertaining and enticing matchups sprinkled throughout the 2023-2024 NBA season.
The inaugural In-Season Tournament is bringing a nuance to regular-season games and Sacramento has a target on their back for the first time since the early 2000s. Here are the must-watch games.
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
The Kings have more National TV games this season than the last five years combined. Six games are on TNT, five are on ESPN, and 11 are televised on NBA TV. 16 of these 22 games are at the Golden 1 Center. The energy in the arena is so palpable on TV and the league wants to showcase this.
10/27 VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: HOME OPENER
The first home game of the season might be the best game of the season. In fact, Game 7 of last season’s Kings-Warriors playoff series was the most-watched first-round matchup since 1999.
The Beam Team is showing up with a deeper roster, and the Dubs will be revamped and ready to go. 38-year-old Chris Paul replaced Jordan Poole and 39.1% three-point shooter Dario Saric was added. There is some concern that Draymond Green‘s ankle sprain could sideline him for this game, but he says he “dodged a bullet.”
Sacramento’s home opener, under the Friday night lights at Golden 1 Center, is going to be broadcasted on ESPN.
11/10 VS. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: FIRST IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT GAME
NBA’s first-ever In-Season tournament debuts this season, where the Kings start group play against the Thunder.
OKC has Rookie of the Year candidate Chet Holmgren back from injury. They also have a plethora of young players they’ve drafted the last couple of years. This should be a fun one because OKC is on the same trajectory as the Kings were just one year ago.
12/22 VS. PHOENIX SUNS: FACE-OFF AGAINST NEW-LOOK CONTENDER
The Phoenix Suns are tied for the third-best odds to win the NBA Championship. Their new ownership group was ultra aggressive, teaming Bradley Beal up with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. They have so much firepower, but still have injury concerns with all their veteran players.
This matchup, in the middle of Christmas season, will truly test where the Kings are at. If Sacramento is struggling, they’ll look to make some acquisitions through the trade market or by any other means necessary.
1/18 VS. INDIANA PACERS: HALIBURTON RETURNS TO SACRAMENTO AGAIN
Tyrese Haliburton comes back to Sacramento as a Pacer for the second time in his career. The first time, De’Aaron Fox shimmied his way into a mid-range jumper over him, and the Kings won 137-114.
Indiana has added some solid players like rookie Jarace Walker and recent-champion Bruce Brown. This game will be played at a fast pace and will likely have a lot of scoring. The best offensive team will come out on top.
3/26 VS DALLAS MAVERICKS: KYRIE AND LUKA VS. FOX AND SABONIS
In the battle of dynamic duos specializing in offense, the question is which team will get stops late or hit the clutch shots to pull out a win. Kyrie and De’Aaron are two of the most clutch players in the NBA, so this is going to be must-see TV in Sacramento.
At this point in the year, every game matters so much. After this matchup on TNT there will only be 10 games left in the season. Coming into this game, Sacramento will hope that they are in contention for a top-four seed in the West.
4/14 VS. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: THE FINAL GAME
The last game of the season used to mean one thing for Kings fans: a few months without pain and misery. This time, the last game happens to be at the Golden 1 Center and could have playoff seeding on the line.
Something else to look out for is the two Murray twins facing off. Keegan was the 4th pick in last season’s draft, while Kris was selected 23rd overall by the Blazers. This will be fun.
Will De’Aaron Fox take another jump? Can Keegan Murray become a legitimate third option? Is Sasha Vezenkov poised to make the All-Rookie team?
We’ll find out these answers very soon.
De’Aaron Fox Light The Beam Bobblehead!
Ending a 17-year playoff victory drought? Yeah, we’d say that’s a great reason to light the beam. Let your Kings pride shine with one of the game’s brightest stars by adding the De’Aaron Fox Sacramento Kings Light the Beam Bobblehead to your starting lineup.
