Key Takeaways:
- The Sacramento Kings ended a franchise-record 16-game losing streak with a 123-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies
- Russell Westbrook recorded 25 points, while Precious Achiuwa posted a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds
- Javon Smalls led Memphis with 21 points and nine assists as the injury-depleted Grizzlies fielded a makeshift line-up
Match Analysis
The Sacramento Kings secured a much-needed victory on Monday night, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 123-114 and bringing an end to a 16-game losing streak – the longest in the history of the franchise. Russell Westbrook led the offensive charge with 25 points, closely supported by Precious Achiuwa, who added 22 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.
FINAL: Kings defeat the Grizzlies, 123-114.
👑 Russell Westbrook: 25 PTS, 7 AST
👑 Precious Achiuwa: 22 PTS, 12 REB
👑 Daeqwon Plowden: 19 PTS, 5 REB
👑 DeMar DeRozan: 19 PTS, 4 ASTKings Win presented by @RedHawkCasino pic.twitter.com/HvAhHJmWp2
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 24, 2026
Key Player Contributions
DeMar DeRozan and Daeqwon Plowden each tallied 19 points for Sacramento, with Plowden making a crucial impact in the final period by adding 10 points. The Kings, who held the NBA’s worst record entering this game, had not tasted victory since their win against Washington on 16 January.
For the Grizzlies, Javon Smalls stood out with 21 points and nine assists. Olivier-Maxence Prosper and GG Jackson added 17 and 16 points, respectively, in a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful effort.
Game Flow and Pivotal Moments
Memphis managed to seize the initiative early in the third quarter before Sacramento responded with an 18-6 run to claim the game’s first double-digit lead midway through the period. Leading 92-89 heading into the final quarter, the Kings extended their advantage with a decisive 15-4 sequence, highlighted by a Westbrook three-pointer with 8 minutes 45 seconds remaining.
Sacramento held a marginal 63-61 edge at half-time, with both teams displaying remarkable shooting accuracy (over 54%). The Kings’ frontcourt dominance was evident, particularly as the Grizzlies were without an active player taller than the 6-foot-9 Jackson, which allowed Achiuwa to tally 14 points and 11 rebounds by the interval.
| Team | Top Scorer | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Kings | Russell Westbrook (25 pts) | Precious Achiuwa: 22 pts, 12 reb |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Javon Smalls (21 pts) | Olivier-Maxence Prosper: 17 pts GG Jackson: 16 pts |
Injuries and Team Outlook
Both teams continue to contend with depleted rosters due to injuries, with Memphis currently occupying 11th place in the Western Conference and fielding a squad pieced together from available players. The Grizzlies were missing eight players for Monday’s contest, magnifying their on-court challenges.
Looking Ahead
The Sacramento Kings will travel to Houston for their next game on Wednesday night, while the Memphis Grizzlies will host Golden State on the same evening.
