Emotional Turmoil for the Kings

Sacramento Kings star DeMar DeRozan has expressed that his team is currently in a "s--tty place" emotionally after suffering a disappointing 3-13 start in the 2025-26 NBA season. Following the Kings' most recent blowout defeat, a staggering 137-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, DeRozan acknowledged the team's struggles, stating, "Don't nobody want to lose the way we've been losing." The defeat marked the Kings' eighth consecutive loss, including three games where they fell by more than 30 points.

Facing the Challenge

"I think it's just everything right now for us is just s--tty, honestly," DeRozan reflected. He elaborated on the overwhelming nature of their current situation, saying, "Sometimes when you're in the deep end, it's hard to hear anything. You're just trying to swim your way out, one way or another." In this rough stretch, DeRozan himself played a season-low of 15 minutes and 22 seconds in the latest game, finishing with only seven points and two assists.

Also struggling was fellow star Zach LaVine, who shot just 4-for-10 from the field, contributing eight points but missing all four of his attempts from three-point range. The Kings have seen a drastic dip in performance when both DeRozan and LaVine are on the court, recording a net rating of minus-21.6 this season, according to NBA.com.

Looking Ahead

The team faces an uphill battle, especially with the absence of Domantas Sabonis, who is expected to be sidelined for at least a month due to a partial tear in his left knee meniscus. With DeRozan and LaVine accounting for over $72 million in combined salaries—approximately 46.7% of the Kings' cap this season—the pressure is on them to elevate their performance. The Kings will look to turn their luck around in their next game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night at 10 p.m. ET.