NBA: Kings hope to avoid unfortunate franchise history against Pelicans

The Sacramento Kings aim to avoid setting an unwanted franchise record when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.

The Kings entered the game with a 12-game losing streak following a 132-126 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. This ties the 1997-98 team for the most consecutive losses since the franchise moved from Kansas City to Sacramento before the 1985-86 season.

Sacramento was without four of its leading scorers—Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray—but rookie Nique Clifford stepped up with a career-high 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Russell Westbrook added 21 points and nine assists, with both players hitting five 3-pointers each.

"I got some good looks, and my teammates were finding me, putting me in good positions to score the ball, and the shots were falling for me," Clifford said.

The first-round rookie from Colorado State represents coach Doug Christie's shift toward a youth-focused approach as the Kings, who have made the playoffs just once in the last 19 seasons, try to change their fortunes.

"The name of the game is to win the game, so that part hurts," Christie said. "But to watch these guys begin to find their way, find their rhythm, and compete against some really good teams and put themselves consistently in position to win the ballgame is encouraging. Now, there's a learning curve of how to do it, and it's difficult. It's difficult to win in our league."

Other contributors for Sacramento included second-year guard Devin Carter with 18 points, two-way player Daeqwon Plowden with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and rookie center Maxime Raynaud with 14 points and seven rebounds. Undrafted rookie Dylan Cardwell recorded a double-double off the bench with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Monk (illness) and LaVine (finger) are ruled out for Monday's game, while Sabonis (back) is listed as questionable.

Monday’s matchup is the first of three games against the Pelicans this season and the only one in New Orleans.

New Orleans enters the game following a 119-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending a three-game losing streak and a 1-3 road trip. Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 30 points, including two crucial free throws with 10.8 seconds left, while Zion Williamson added 29 points, including a key three-point play with 35.5 seconds remaining.

"In general, we followed and executed the gameplan, especially defensively," Pelicans coach James Borrego said. "Our guys battled, got stops when we needed to. Saddiq made huge plays. We understand we're going to have to win clutch games to win games. We're learning how to close."

Trey Murphy III contributed 26 points and six rebounds, while Derik Queen had 17 points and eight rebounds, going 4-for-4 from beyond the arc after making only 10 3-pointers on 47 attempts prior to the game. The Pelicans finished the contest shooting 44.1% from 3-point range.

-Field Level Media/Reuters