Kings HC Mike Brown After Loss to Pelicans: 'They Kicked Our Behind'

The Sacramento Kings took one to the chin Monday night, coming off a six-game win streak, losing 129-93 to the New Orleans Pelicans. While the win streak breaking was inevitable, they lost embarrassingly.

The Kings went into New Orleans on the second leg of a back-to-back and the fourth leg of a six-game road stretch. Scheduling-wise, this was always going to be a tough game for Sacramento, but the detrimental injury problems they are now facing could be the worst part.

Kings F Keegan Murray and G Keon Ellis both suffered injuries during the game that kept them sidelined, while Sacramento was already short-handed heading into the matchup. Eight Kings have already missed time due to injury, just 13 games into the season.

Kings HC Mike Brown gave his thoughts following the 36-point loss in New Orleans (via @SacramentoKings | X):

"Next man has to step up. We have to do it collectively, and it didn't matter who was in the game from the start to the end, they kicked our behind. You got to give them credit, from Willie Green kicked my behind, on down. We did not show any resistance at all, no matter who we threw out there. It didn't matter if we had injuries or not, we weren't getting it done from the beginning. Zion [Williamson] was a grown man tonight, and we had no answers. ...Give them a lot of credit, they did what they were supposed to do.

Pelicans' Williamson showed out with 26 points, five assists, and three steals on 12-16 shooting from the field. Every King had a hard time staying in front of Zion Monday night. Whether it was F Harrison Barnes, C Domantas Sabonis, or a guard switched onto him, nobody could stop the 23-year-old monster.

Williamson's wing tandem, Brandon Ingram, was equally impressive Monday night, finishing with 31 points on perfect 5-5 three-point shooting. Williamson and Ingram combined for 57 points, while the Kings starting lineup had 55 points.

The Kings will stay in New Orleans to face the Pelicans again on Wednesday, where a rested Sacramento squad can give them a better fight, hopefully.

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