Washington Wizards vs Sacramento Kings
PREVIEW: The Sacramento Kings arrive in Washington carrying the worst record in the NBA and riding an eight-game losing streak , while the Wizards are looking to bounce back after a lopsided 142-111 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers. Sacramento's offensive identity centers on high-frequency midrange shooting, but they struggle defensively with a ranking of 26th in three-point defense and 29th in defending rim attacks. Washington's coach Brian Keefe emphasized the need to "start better," noting that his team lacked the physical intensity required to force opponents into missed shots in their recent loss. The Wizards showed some resilience in the second half behind bench contributions from Malaki Branham, who scored 17 points including four three-pointers.
Washington's offensive attack is hampered by low spacing ranked 30th league-wide, a factor that will test their creativity against Sacramento's middling rim defense. The Kings have lost their last 12 road games, a troubling trend that provides the Wizards with a significant home-court advantage. Sacramento's Russell Westbrook and Domantas Sabonis are both listed as day-to-day after missing recent contests , adding uncertainty to their lineup depth. With both teams searching for consistency and dealing with roster complications, Sunday's matchup shapes up as a clash between two struggling squads desperate for momentum heading into February.