Key Highlights
- The Spurs will face the worst team in the league, the Sacramento Kings.
- Sacramento has fallen short of expectations and is last in the West.
- The Kings have undergone significant changes due to player injuries and surgeries.
- The Spurs are in a strong position with the second-best record in the West.
The Struggle of Sacramento
The Sacramento Kings find themselves at rock bottom, despite their initial play-in hopes. Loaded up with veterans like Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, they were expected to compete but are now 12-45. After the trade deadline, they shut down key players due to season-ending surgeries, including Sabonis, LaVine, and De’Andre Hunter. This leaves them in a precarious position, with only rookie Dylan Cartwell as their bright spot, who will be sidelined for a month.
The Silver and Black’s Consistency
San Antonio Spurs, on the other hand, have exceeded expectations this season, holding the second-best record in the West at 39-16. They did not make any significant moves during the deadline, allowing their chemistry to remain intact. After a convincing victory over the Suns after the All-Star break, they are well-rested and ready for another dominant performance against Sacramento. With injuries to key players like Mason Plumlee and Lindy Waters III, they should still be in great shape.
Interesting Matchups
The game features an intriguing matchup between French centers Wembanyama and Maxime Raynaud. Despite Sabonis’ absence, Raynaud has been stepping up with solid averages of 11.7 points and 8.4 rebounds. The battle promises to be exciting for Spurs fans.
Former Teammates and Rivalries
De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes played significant roles in both their former teams’ successes, combining for 48 points against Sacramento during the season. Their presence could provide extra motivation for both teams. DeMar DeRozan’s potential scoring in this game will be crucial for the Kings, as he had a standout performance with 27 points in a losing effort.
What to Watch For
The game offers a clear disparity between the two teams, with San Antonio likely dominating and focusing on maintaining their momentum. The young Spurs should take care of business, while Sacramento aims for another loss to keep other tanking teams at bay.
Watch: KENS | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Sacramento Kings (12-45) vs San Antonio Spurs (39-16)
February 21st, 2026 | 7 PM CT
Injuries:
- Sacramento: Domantas Sabonis – Out (Knee surgery), Zach LaVine – Out (Hand surgery), Dylan Cartwell – Out (Ankle)
- San Antonio: Mason Plumlee – Out (Conditioning), Lindy Waters III – Questionable (Knee)
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