The post-trade deadline time could be a unusual one within the NBA. The groups that didn’t make many strikes try to prepare for the playoffs, hoping to peak on the proper time. Those that shook issues up need to rediscover an id or type one for the primary time. After which some franchises need the season to mercifully finish, just like the Kings.
Sacramento got here into the season with play-in hopes, loaded up with veterans and some younger items. To say that they fell in need of expectations can be an understatement. The Kings are final within the West, and in contrast to different bottom-dwellers, they discover themselves there regardless of making an attempt to win.
Not less than they have been earlier within the season. After the deadline, they shut down Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and deadline acquisition De’Andre Hunter, as all of them underwent season-ending surgical procedures. Considered one of their feel-good tales of the season was the emergence of rookie Dylan Cardwell, however he shall be out for a month. Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan are nonetheless there, however these two couldn’t do a lot in Sacramento’s 37-point loss to the Magic on Thursday. They’ve some fascinating younger gamers that they should develop the remainder of the way in which, however nobody who stands out as a cornerstone. The lottery can’t come quickly sufficient for De’Aaron Fox’s earlier workforce.
The Spurs are in a very totally different state of affairs. They’ve exceeded expectations and have the second-best document within the West, with a sensible likelihood to catch as much as the injury-riddled Thunder. They did nothing on the deadline, so the chemistry they constructed stays intact, as proven of their convincing victory over the Suns after the All-Star break. All their rotation gamers are wholesome and ought to be well-rested after not needing to be on the ground for heavy minutes to dispatch Phoenix of their first Austin recreation. And so they seemed locked in from the beginning and dominant your entire evening, proving they’re hungry as they put together for the franchise’s return to the playoffs.
Late February and March basketball gives matchups between groups which have reverse objectives and realities. The Spurs ought to prevail simply towards a Kings workforce that wouldn’t thoughts one other loss to maintain the opposite tankers at bay. However there’s a purpose they play the video games, so San Antonio ought to come out centered and care for enterprise.
February twenty first, 2026 | 7 PM CT
Watch: KENS| Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Mason Plumlee – Out (Conditioning), Lindy Waters III – Questionable (Knee).
Kings Accidents: Domantas Sabonis – Out (Knee surgical procedure), Zach LaVine – Out (Hand surgical procedure), Dylan Cartwell – Out (Ankle), De’Andre Hunter – Out (Eye).
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