Kings And Trail Blazers Clash In High-Stakes Sacramento Showdown

The Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers squared off at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in a matchup that promised fireworks and certainly delivered on intrigue. Heading into the contest, both teams found themselves at pivotal junctures of their respective seasons, with Sacramento riding a wave of newfound momentum and Portland grappling with a patchwork roster due to a slew of injuries.

Sacramento, despite a 12-30 record, entered the night on a four-game winning streak, their longest of the season and a clear sign of a team turning a corner. The Kings’ recent surge included impressive double-digit victories over the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Washington Wizards. Much of this turnaround was attributed to the strategic decision to move Precious Achiuwa into the starting lineup. Achiuwa, acquired earlier in the season, had been averaging 13.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game during the streak, helping to lift Sacramento’s net rating by nearly eight points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor.

Adding to Sacramento’s optimism was the return of All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis. After missing 27 games with a knee injury, Sabonis made his comeback on Friday against the Wizards, contributing 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in just 21 minutes off the bench. There was anticipation that Sabonis would return to the starting lineup against Portland, a move expected to bolster an offense that had already been humming thanks to the likes of Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan. Westbrook, in particular, had turned back the clock with a 26-point, six-assist outing against Washington, while DeRozan continued to be a steadying force on the wing.

On the other side, the Trail Blazers arrived with a 21-22 record and a reputation for resilience. Portland had won seven of its last ten games and was fresh off a 132-116 victory over the Lakers the night before. However, the Blazers’ roster was severely depleted. The injury report read like a roll call: Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Damian Lillard (Achilles), Kris Murray (back), Matisse Thybulle (knee), Blake Wesley (foot), Jerami Grant (Achilles), Jrue Holiday (calf), and Robert Williams III (knee) were all ruled out. The one glimmer of hope was the return of Deni Avdija, who had been upgraded from questionable to available after missing three games with a lower back strain.

Avdija’s availability was crucial for Portland. The forward was in the midst of a career year, averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game, and was the frontrunner for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. His presence was sorely missed during his brief absence, but the Blazers managed to stay afloat, winning two of their last three games, including blowout wins over the Atlanta Hawks and a shorthanded Lakers squad. According to the Blazers’ official update, "Deni Avdija (back) is available to play."

Despite their injury woes, the Blazers had Sacramento’s number earlier in the season. Portland won both previous meetings in December, 134-133 in a thrilling overtime contest and 98-93 in a defensive battle. The first meeting was especially dramatic, featuring a controversial last-second foul call involving Avdija and Westbrook, later confirmed as correct by the NBA’s last two-minute report. Notably, Sacramento was without Sabonis and Achiuwa was not yet a starter in those games, making this third matchup a very different affair.

The oddsmakers gave Sacramento a slight edge, favoring them by 2.5 points with an over/under set at 228.5. The Kings’ home record stood at 9-13, while the Blazers were 9-12 on the road. Both teams had plenty to prove: Sacramento was eager to extend its streak and show that its recent form was no fluke, while Portland sought to continue its dominance over the Kings despite being shorthanded and playing the second game of a back-to-back.

From the opening tip, the game lived up to the billing. Sacramento leaned heavily on its new-look starting five, with Achiuwa providing defensive versatility and Sabonis orchestrating the offense when on the floor. Westbrook and DeRozan attacked the Blazers’ undermanned backcourt relentlessly, seeking to exploit the absence of Portland’s key perimeter defenders. On the other end, Avdija wasted no time shaking off the rust, driving aggressively and asserting himself as Portland’s primary scoring option.

Bench contributions were significant for both squads, particularly for Portland, whose reserves had poured in 57 points against the Lakers the previous night and were averaging 56 points per game since Grant’s return. However, with Grant, Holiday, and Williams III all unavailable against Sacramento, the Blazers leaned heavily on Shaedon Sharpe, who had been averaging 22.7 points during Avdija’s absence and dropped 25 in the win over Los Angeles.

The Kings’ defense, anchored by Achiuwa and bolstered by Sabonis’ presence, faced a stiff challenge containing Portland’s offense, which averaged 116.2 points per game. Sacramento’s own scoring output, typically 110.6 points per contest, was put to the test against a Blazers defense that allowed 120.6 points per game. The chess match between the Kings’ improved defense and Portland’s resilient, next-man-up mentality kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Injury absences shaped the contest’s complexion. Sacramento was without Keon Ellis (knee) and Keegan Murray (ankle), further testing their depth. Portland’s depleted rotation meant extended minutes for young players and bench contributors, adding a layer of unpredictability to the proceedings.

With both teams having won on their home courts previously, and each contest decided by razor-thin margins, the Golden 1 Center crowd braced for another nail-biter. The Kings, well-rested and riding high, aimed to capitalize on Portland’s fatigue and thin bench. The Blazers, however, had shown all season they wouldn’t go down quietly, especially with Avdija leading the charge and the bench eager to prove its worth.

As the action unfolded, it became clear that every possession would matter. Sacramento’s recent transformation, driven by coaching adjustments and the return of Sabonis, clashed with Portland’s gritty, never-say-die approach. The game’s outcome remained uncertain deep into the second half, with both sides trading baskets and defensive stops.

With the Kings looking to extend their win streak to five and the Blazers fighting to stay above .500, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The result? A fiercely contested battle that left fans and analysts alike buzzing about what these teams could achieve as the season progressed. Sacramento’s resurgence and Portland’s perseverance set the stage for a compelling finish, with both squads eyeing their next challenges as the NBA campaign rolled on.