With a turn of the calendar, the Kings play their first game in December tonight, and Walton’s squad is intent on duplicating the success that was achieved in November.
After starting off winless, losing Bagley to injury, and making Kings fan panic, Sacramento really turned things around in November.
On top of that, despite facing the Lakers once, the Celtics twice, losing Fox to injury and going on an East Coast road trip, the Kings managed to go 8-5 during the month, moving them into a tie with the Suns for the eighth seed.
New players stepped up every game to help carry the short handed Kings and unlikely players did what was needed to give the team the November boost they needed.
Richaun Holmes and Cory Joseph filled in for Bagley and Fox’s absences perfectly, but other players also displayed admirable efforts.
Bjelica played great basketball during the month, displaying a true veteran presence that a young Sacramento team needs if they want steady success.
Bogdan Bogdanovic and Harrison Barnes seemed to play tag team in spontaneous, yet necessary, leadership on the floor. They played huge parts in the eight wins in the month as they became the supplemental go-to scorers when Buddy Hield was struggling.
And towards the end of the month, Walton finally showcased his rookie, Justin James, who displayed buzzing energy when the team looked sluggish.
It was a great bounce-back month to a poor October, and tonight, as the Kings play the 6-14 Chicago Bulls, Sacramento has to carry over their success into December.
As of right now, the Kings play seven teams with a record of above .500 and nine teams with a record below .500 during the month of December.
With Fox and Bagley coming back to action soon, the Kings need to dominate against the sub .500 teams and earn some wins from the higher seeds.
This is still Sacramento’s year to make the postseason and even starting 0-5 won’t and hasn’t stopped them. They made up vital ground in a great November and nothing should inhibit their great play going into December.
