James Ham
@jameshamnba.bsky.social
Kings Insider for ESPN 1320 and The Kings Beat. Long time beat writer, podcaster and radio personality covering the NBA's Sacramento Kings.
Is it 2026 yet? Is it February 5th yet? The Kings finished off the calendar year with another dud Tuesday in Los Angeles. It was over well before halftime with the Clippers manhandling the Kings for a 131-90 victory. Here are six quick thoughts from the blowout:
December 31, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Is it 2026 yet? Is it February 5th yet? The Kings finished off the calendar year with another dud Tuesday in Los Angeles. It was over well before halftime with the Clippers manhandling the Kings for a 131-90 victory. Here are six quick thoughts from the blowout:
Kings trail, the Clippers 100-71 heading to the fourth. Nique Clifford is a bright spot with 15 points. Tough night for just about everyone else.
December 31, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Kings trail, the Clippers 100-71 heading to the fourth. Nique Clifford is a bright spot with 15 points. Tough night for just about everyone else.
Kings trail the Clippers 34-20 after 1Q in LA. Good defensive effort from the Clippers, but very suspect ball and player movement from Kings. DeRozan leads with 5 points. Kings register 3 total assists.
December 31, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Kings trail the Clippers 34-20 after 1Q in LA. Good defensive effort from the Clippers, but very suspect ball and player movement from Kings. DeRozan leads with 5 points. Kings register 3 total assists.
STARTERS 12/30
LAC
Kawhi Leonard
John Collins
Brook Lopez
Kris Dunn
James Harden
SAC
Keegan Murray
Precious Achiuwa
Maxime Raynaud
DeMar DeRozan
Russell Westbrook
LAC
Kawhi Leonard
John Collins
Brook Lopez
Kris Dunn
James Harden
SAC
Keegan Murray
Precious Achiuwa
Maxime Raynaud
DeMar DeRozan
Russell Westbrook
December 31, 2025 at 3:37 AM
STARTERS 12/30
LAC
Kawhi Leonard
John Collins
Brook Lopez
Kris Dunn
James Harden
SAC
Keegan Murray
Precious Achiuwa
Maxime Raynaud
DeMar DeRozan
Russell Westbrook
LAC
Kawhi Leonard
John Collins
Brook Lopez
Kris Dunn
James Harden
SAC
Keegan Murray
Precious Achiuwa
Maxime Raynaud
DeMar DeRozan
Russell Westbrook
Keegan Murray has been upgraded to available for tonight's Kings/Clippers game on the latest injury report.
December 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Keegan Murray has been upgraded to available for tonight's Kings/Clippers game on the latest injury report.
Overshadowed. While most Northern California eyes were locked on the 49ers/Bears game, the Kings made their way to LA for a battle against the Lakers. It didn't go well. Here are six quick thoughts from the Kings' 125-101 loss at Staples Center:
December 29, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Overshadowed. While most Northern California eyes were locked on the 49ers/Bears game, the Kings made their way to LA for a battle against the Lakers. It didn't go well. Here are six quick thoughts from the Kings' 125-101 loss at Staples Center:
From the Kings:
With his field goal at the 7:18 mark of Q4 tonight vs. LAL, Westbrook has passed Dominique Wilkins (26,688) for 16th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
With his field goal at the 7:18 mark of Q4 tonight vs. LAL, Westbrook has passed Dominique Wilkins (26,688) for 16th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
December 29, 2025 at 4:38 AM
From the Kings:
With his field goal at the 7:18 mark of Q4 tonight vs. LAL, Westbrook has passed Dominique Wilkins (26,688) for 16th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
With his field goal at the 7:18 mark of Q4 tonight vs. LAL, Westbrook has passed Dominique Wilkins (26,688) for 16th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Kings trail 99-80 heading to the fourth. 22 points for DeMar DeRozan. 11 points for Malik Monk. 10 for Max Raynaud. Schröder has 9 points and 6 assists off the bench.
December 29, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Kings trail 99-80 heading to the fourth. 22 points for DeMar DeRozan. 11 points for Malik Monk. 10 for Max Raynaud. Schröder has 9 points and 6 assists off the bench.
Kings struggle to finish the second quarter, trail the Lakers 68-53 heading to the half. DeMar DeRozan leads Sacramento with 16 points. No other player has double figures. Only 9 assists for the Kings to go with 8 turnovers.
December 29, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Kings struggle to finish the second quarter, trail the Lakers 68-53 heading to the half. DeMar DeRozan leads Sacramento with 16 points. No other player has double figures. Only 9 assists for the Kings to go with 8 turnovers.
Solid first quarter from the Kings. They trail the Lakers 30-24 heading to the second. DeRozan leads the Kings with 8 points. Schröder has 6 points and Westbrook has 5 points and 3 rebounds. Kings finish the quarter with just 4 assists. Lots of ISO ball early.
December 29, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Solid first quarter from the Kings. They trail the Lakers 30-24 heading to the second. DeRozan leads the Kings with 8 points. Schröder has 6 points and Westbrook has 5 points and 3 rebounds. Kings finish the quarter with just 4 assists. Lots of ISO ball early.
Merry Christmas. The Kings picked up their eighth win of the season in their first game back since the holiday break. Here are six quick thoughts as Sacramento led Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks for most of the night to come away with a 113-107 win:
December 28, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Merry Christmas. The Kings picked up their eighth win of the season in their first game back since the holiday break. Here are six quick thoughts as Sacramento led Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks for most of the night to come away with a 113-107 win:
Kings take an 88-77 lead over the Mavs to the fourth. Ellis and Westbrook both have 21 points on 5-of-9 shooting from 3. Raynaud is up to 15 points.
December 27, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Kings take an 88-77 lead over the Mavs to the fourth. Ellis and Westbrook both have 21 points on 5-of-9 shooting from 3. Raynaud is up to 15 points.
Kings take a 59-44 lead into the half. Keon Ellis has 13 to pace Sacramento. 12 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds for Westbrook. 11 points for Raynaud and 5 points and 8 rebounds for Achiuwa.
December 27, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Kings take a 59-44 lead into the half. Keon Ellis has 13 to pace Sacramento. 12 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds for Westbrook. 11 points for Raynaud and 5 points and 8 rebounds for Achiuwa.
Kings led by as many as 17 points, take a 31-23 lead over the Mavs to the second. Keon Ellis leads with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Max Raynaud has 6 points. 5 points and 4 assists for Russell Westbrook.
December 27, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Kings led by as many as 17 points, take a 31-23 lead over the Mavs to the second. Keon Ellis leads with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Max Raynaud has 6 points. 5 points and 4 assists for Russell Westbrook.
From the Kings:
With his second assist at the 9:15 mark of Q1 today vs. DAL, Russell Westbrook has passed Magic Johnson (10,141) for seventh on the NBA’s all-time assist leaders list.
With his second assist at the 9:15 mark of Q1 today vs. DAL, Russell Westbrook has passed Magic Johnson (10,141) for seventh on the NBA’s all-time assist leaders list.
December 27, 2025 at 10:15 PM
From the Kings:
With his second assist at the 9:15 mark of Q1 today vs. DAL, Russell Westbrook has passed Magic Johnson (10,141) for seventh on the NBA’s all-time assist leaders list.
With his second assist at the 9:15 mark of Q1 today vs. DAL, Russell Westbrook has passed Magic Johnson (10,141) for seventh on the NBA’s all-time assist leaders list.
Out of control. The Kings and Pistons played a physical and at times ugly game Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento trailed for most of the game and fell by a final of 136-127. Here are six quick thoughts as the Kings head into Christmas at 7-23:
December 24, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Out of control. The Kings and Pistons played a physical and at times ugly game Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento trailed for most of the game and fell by a final of 136-127. Here are six quick thoughts as the Kings head into Christmas at 7-23:
Kings trail 115-97 heading to the fourth. DeRozan has 31 points to pace the Kings. Westbrook has 17 points and Precious Achiuwa has 13. The Pistons are up to 62 points in the paint with a quarter to go.
December 24, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Kings trail 115-97 heading to the fourth. DeRozan has 31 points to pace the Kings. Westbrook has 17 points and Precious Achiuwa has 13. The Pistons are up to 62 points in the paint with a quarter to go.
The Kings got run over by the Pistons in the first half, trail 75-58 heading to the break. DeRozan leads the Kings with 23 points. 9 points for Westbrook. Kings allow 44 points in the paint and allow the Pistons to shoot 62% from the field.
December 24, 2025 at 4:13 AM
The Kings got run over by the Pistons in the first half, trail 75-58 heading to the break. DeRozan leads the Kings with 23 points. 9 points for Westbrook. Kings allow 44 points in the paint and allow the Pistons to shoot 62% from the field.
Kings trail the Pistons 37-24 after 1Q. DeMar DeRozan leads the way with 11 points. 5 points for Precious Achiuwa. Defense has not been good at all.
December 24, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Kings trail the Pistons 37-24 after 1Q. DeMar DeRozan leads the way with 11 points. 5 points for Precious Achiuwa. Defense has not been good at all.
According to a league source, Zach LaVine, who has missed the last three games due to a left ankle sprain, is progressing in his rehabilitation and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week. His status will be updated as appropriate.
December 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM
According to a league source, Zach LaVine, who has missed the last three games due to a left ankle sprain, is progressing in his rehabilitation and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week. His status will be updated as appropriate.
Ep. 266 of The Kings Beat Podcast: Kings pick up much needed win over Rockets as young players take center stage. With Sean Cunningham and Brenden Nunes kings-beat.beehiiv.com/p/kings-pick...
Kings pick up much needed win over Rockets as young players take center stage
Ep. 266 of The Kings Beat Podcast
kings-beat.beehiiv.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Ep. 266 of The Kings Beat Podcast: Kings pick up much needed win over Rockets as young players take center stage. With Sean Cunningham and Brenden Nunes kings-beat.beehiiv.com/p/kings-pick...
Light the beam? Is that still a thing? The Kings battled a very good Houston Rockets team on Sunday night and despite some rough calls from the officials, they found a way to snap their losing streak with an incredible 125-124 overtime win. Here are six quick thoughts:
December 22, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Light the beam? Is that still a thing? The Kings battled a very good Houston Rockets team on Sunday night and despite some rough calls from the officials, they found a way to snap their losing streak with an incredible 125-124 overtime win. Here are six quick thoughts: