The Portland Trail Blazers entered Friday night’s game against Sacramento with nine players out, two new players in the rotation signed to 10-day contracts and coming off of a 40-point loss to the Kings on Wednesday.
The Blazers did welcome back Trendon Watford, but then lost Nassir Little in the first half to an ankle injury.
Unlike Wednesday, the Blazers were actually able to hang around and make a game of it into the fourth quarter before ultimately losing 138-114.
The Kings got off to a slow start Wednesday and found themselves up just 50-46 at halftime before dominating virtually the entire second half. On Friday, the Kings played much better early and consequently led 71-59 at halftime. Then, just like on Wednesday, Sacramento began to extend its lead to as much as 18 in the third quarter.
But unlike on Wednesday, the Blazers didn’t fold. Instead, they remained hot from three-point range to stay relatively close. In fact, when Shaedon Sharpe scored on a drive shortly after missing a three, the Blazers trailed 110-103 with 7:40 remaining.
That only appeared to anger the Kings, however, and they responded with a 20-2 run to put the game away.
After making just 9 of 39 threes (23.1%) on Wednesday, the Blazers hit 19 of 38 (50%) Friday night.
Sharpe led the Blazers with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Drew Eubanks finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Kings had four players score 20 points. Domantas Sabonis was one of them and he also added 12 rebounds and eight assists. De’Aaron Fox was also in the 20-point club and he also contributed 11 assists and eight rebounds.
Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle, left, and forward Drew Eubanks, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes) APAP
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (32-45) took over sole possession of having the fifth-worst record in the NBA by losing while the Orlando Magic (32-46) won 116-109 at Washington (34-43). Both teams have five games remaining. The Magic play at Detroit (16-61) on Sunday. The Kings (47-30) have won three of their last four games.
NEW BLAZERS
The Blazers added two healthy bodies to the roster by signing guards Skylar Mays and Shaquille Harrison to 10-day contracts. Both played Friday.
Mays, who went to LSU, most recently played for Mexico City of the G League. He started for the Blazers and delivered 14 points and six assists. Harrison, out of Tulsa, came to the Blazers from the G League’s South Bay Lakers. He came off the bench for six points, five rebounds and three assists.
NEXT UP
The Blazers start a four-game trip Sunday at Minnesota.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook). Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts