Raptors Suffer Worst Loss of Season vs. Kings

The Toronto Raptors are stunned after falling 123-115 to the Sacramento Kings inside Scotiabank Arena.

The Raptors came into the game on the second night of a back-to-back, but the Kings were well-rested going into the matchup and it showed, especially as the game went on.

Raptors Don't Have the Legs vs. Kings

Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter knocks the ball away from Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan. | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Raptors were down several players in the game, including Brandon Ingram, point guard Immanuel Quickley, and power forward Jamison Battle.

RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes have also been on the injury report in the last couple of games, but each of them was able to go on the second night of a back-to-back. The lack of depth that the team had, playing basically just eight players for most of the game, definitely caught up to them, and it's part of why they fell short against the Kings.

Barrett was the leading scorer for the Raptors with 20 points, and rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles matched that total off the bench. Jakob Poeltl had 18 of his own, while Sandro Mamukelashvili had 17. Jamal Shead stepped up once again with Quickley out and had 16 points and seven assists. Barnes had a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists.

For the Kings, a pair of former Raptors shined as Precious Achiuwa and DeMar DeRozan each had 28 points. Achiuwa also was a monster on the boards with 19 rebounds, and he was a big reason behind Sacramento's victory. Malik Monk scored 18 points off the bench, while point guard Devin Carter had 13.

What's Next For Raptors?

Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl. | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The loss for the Raptors is incredibly costly because it pushes them to seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings after the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Washington Wizards. They are two games back of the Charlotte Hornets, who are in eighth place, and the Orlando Magic, who are in ninth. They lead the Miami Heat by 2.5 games.

This is a major setback for the Raptors, who were in fifth place before these back-to-back losses against the Pistons and Kings. With only six games left to go in the season, the Raptors need to figure out the right buttons to push in order to get across the finish line in the top six so that they can avoid the play-in tournament.

The Raptors are back in action on Friday when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET inside FedEx Forum. Fans can watch the game on Sportsnet or stream it on NBA League Pass.

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