NBA · GAME DAY
Sacramento KingsAWAY
New Orleans PelicansHOMEScheduled start passed · status unconfirmed · Official game details ↗
NBA · ARCHIVED PRIMER
The scheduled start has passed. This is the saved pregame primer, not live coverage or a result.
Coverage as of .
One game. Four ways in. Choose your read; the full primer adds the stories behind the headlines.
Sacramento and New Orleans are both 0-4, so one team gets its first win tonight. Sabonis had 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists in the Kings’ last game; Williamson scored 25 for the Pelicans Wednesday.
The question to watch: can New Orleans improve on 7-for-30 three-point shooting against a Sacramento defense that just allowed 17 threes?
Someone leaves New Orleans with win No. 1. The Kings and Pelicans are both 0-4, and New Orleans is playing a second consecutive night after losing 104-91 to Denver. Sacramento last played Tuesday, a 130-103 loss at San Antonio.
The big names have produced: Sabonis had 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists against the Spurs, while Williamson scored 25 on 10-for-14 shooting against Denver.
For a simple viewing guide, watch the three-point line. New Orleans went 7-for-30 Wednesday; Sacramento allowed 17 threes in its last game. Also follow the missed shots: Sabonis grabbed six offensive rebounds Tuesday, and Pelicans rookie Derik Queen had 12 rebounds Wednesday. Extra chances could matter to two teams still looking for their first good result.
Both teams are 0-4. New Orleans played Wednesday; Sacramento last played Tuesday. One opening-week losing streak ends tonight.
Sabonis posted 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists in Sacramento’s last game. Williamson scored 25 for New Orleans Wednesday.
Perimeter question: New Orleans shot 7-for-30 from three; Sacramento allowed 17 threes in its last game.
Two 0-4 teams, one available first win. Sacramento visits New Orleans with both clubs trying to end an opening-week skid. The Pelicans lost 104-91 to Denver on Wednesday; the Kings last played Tuesday, losing 130-103 in San Antonio. New Orleans has to regroup overnight.
Domantas Sabonis is Sacramento’s center and a good place to start watching its offense: 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists against the Spurs. Zion Williamson supplied New Orleans with 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting against Denver. Both produced plenty; neither left with a win.
The perimeter is where these teams have a particularly awkward meeting. New Orleans made seven of 30 threes Wednesday. Sacramento allowed 17 threes in its last game. Can a struggling shooting team find relief against a defense that just gave up so many?
At 5:30 p.m. Eastern, the Kings listed Keegan Murray, Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell and Ben Simmons out. The Pelicans listed Yves Missi out and Jordan Poole doubtful.
Follow a missed Sacramento shot all the way to the rebound. Sabonis grabbed six offensive boards against San Antonio, creating extra possessions. New Orleans rookie Derik Queen just collected 12 rebounds against Denver. Watch whether the Pelicans secure the ball before trying to run.
Sabonis already has a 27-point, 19-rebound, 10-assist game this season. Sacramento still lost that one to Portland, 128-120. A triple-double can describe an excellent night for one player while leaving a team’s problems intact.
My focus is what Sacramento does after it makes a basket. Hunter scored 24 and LaVine 22 against San Antonio, including eight threes between them, yet the Kings lost by 27. Another useful scoring night will need defensive stops alongside it.
Ask which is more fixable tonight: New Orleans’ 7-for-30 three-point shooting, or Sacramento allowing 17 threes. Then keep an eye on Queen, whose 11 points and 12 rebounds Wednesday give the Pelicans another young player to talk about.
The October 29, 5:30 p.m. Eastern injury report lists Sacramento’s Keegan Murray, Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell and Ben Simmons out. New Orleans’ Yves Missi is out and Jordan Poole is doubtful. Source
Pregame snapshot; pending and uncertain availability is identified in the primer.
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