Jazz Get Bulldozed by Kings 106-127 in Ugly Ninth-Straight Loss

The Utah Jazz weren't able to get over the hump on Sunday night.

Mar 31, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (right) rebounds against / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah Jazz continue to come up just short, as they have now lost their ninth-straight game, this time to the Sacramento Kings, 106-127.

The loss effectively drops Utah to a 29-46 record, sitting 12th place in the Western Conference and eliminated from playoff contention. As for the Kings, this win lifts their chances at a top-six seed for the playoffs an inch higher, jumping to a 43-31 record on the year.

Keegan Murray took over early for the Kings, dropping a quick 10 points on 66% shooting from the field in the first quarter, leading Sacramento to a 27-23 lead after 12 minutes. While the Jazz managed to keep it close through the end of the first half, things got out of control in the third quarter when the Kings outscored them 39-25.

Murray finished the game with a stout 25 points alongside Harrison Barnes's solid mark of 24. Utah still had production from their own with the rookie Brice Sensabaugh showing off for 22, but it wasn't enough to overcome a hungry Sacramento team gunning for a playoff bid in the West. The Kings had an electric night shooting the ball, collecting a 53.6% mark from the field and 50% from deep.

Without the services of Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson, it's proven to be tough for the Jazz to replenish their explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball. It'll be tough to expect seeing them back in the rotation anytime soon considering the circumstances, so continue to expect a heavy emphasis on development and getting the young players involved as we navigate the final games of this NBA season.

The Jazz will be back in action again on Tuesday night when they face off against a familiar face in Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Delta Center.

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