Clippers Dominate Kings in Season Opener
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 10:30 PM ET · Intuit Dome
Quick answers
Who won Sacramento Kings vs LA Clippers?
LA Clippers beat Sacramento Kings 121-96 at Intuit Dome on October 21, 2026.
Who was favored in Sacramento Kings vs LA Clippers?
LA Clippers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -185 (about 65% implied). The favorite won.
In a commanding performance, the LA Clippers secured a decisive victory over the Sacramento Kings, finishing the game with a score of 121 to 96. This win marks the Clippers' second consecutive victory over the Kings, extending their lead in the season series to 2-0. The game took place at the Intuit Dome, where the Clippers showcased their strength, particularly in the second half, outscoring the Kings significantly.
The Clippers entered the matchup with a home record of 1-0, while the Kings faced an early season challenge with an away record of 0-1. The Clippers have shown solid form recently, boasting a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, including a current streak of one win. They averaged 113.9 points scored while allowing 111.8 points during this stretch. Their last five games have seen them score an average of 115.2 points, indicating a potent offense.
Conversely, the Kings have struggled, recording a 3-7 record in their last ten games, with their latest loss extending their losing streak to one. They averaged 110.7 points scored but allowed a concerning 121.0 points per game during this period. In their last five games, their scoring average dipped slightly to 113.0 points, while they allowed an average of 120.2 points.
Historically, the Clippers have had the upper hand in their recent meetings with the Kings, winning three out of the last four encounters. Their latest matchup prior to this game was on April 6, 2026, where the Clippers defeated the Kings 138-109. This consistent success against Sacramento has built a psychological edge for the Clippers.
In terms of injuries, the Clippers faced significant challenges with several key players sidelined. Bradley Beal, Max Strus, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Brandon Ingram, and Jordan Miller were all ruled out for the game, which could have impacted their depth. On the other hand, the Kings were missing Ben Simmons, Dylan Cardwell, and Maxime Raynaud, while Malik Monk was listed as day-to-day with an ankle issue, adding uncertainty to their lineup.
The market reflected the Clippers' strong position heading into the game, with DraftKings setting the odds at LAC -5.5. The total points line was set at 226.5, with odds of -112.0 for the over and -108.0 for the under. The moneyline indicated a strong favoritism towards the Clippers at -185.0, while the Kings were listed at +154.0, showcasing the expectations for the matchup.
The conditions at the Intuit Dome were favorable for a high-energy game, and the Clippers capitalized on their home advantage. Fans witnessed a display of skill and teamwork as the Clippers executed their game plan effectively, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they pulled away decisively. Key scoring plays included a series of three-pointers and strong inside finishes that left the Kings struggling to keep pace.
As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a showcase of the Clippers' offensive capabilities, particularly with their ability to stretch the floor and create open shots. The Kings, on the other hand, were unable to find their rhythm, often settling for contested shots and struggling to defend against the Clippers' fast breaks and ball movement. The Clippers' defense also played a crucial role, limiting the Kings' scoring opportunities and forcing turnovers at critical moments.
Overall, the Clippers' performance not only highlights their potential for the season but also raises questions for the Kings as they seek to regroup and find their footing early in the campaign. With the Clippers now leading the series and showcasing their depth despite injuries, they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games.
What we said beforehand
The LA Clippers will open their season against the Sacramento Kings at the Intuit Dome on October 22, 2026. Both teams enter this matchup with a record of 0-0, making it an intriguing start to the NBA season. The Clippers have had a mixed bag of results in their recent games, finishing their last five matches with three wins and two losses. Their most recent game was a victory against the Golden State Warriors, where they won 115-110, showcasing their potential as a strong contender this season. In their last ten games, the Clippers have a record of 6-4, averaging 113.9 points scored per game while allowing 111.8 points. They have shown resilience, particularly at home, where they have a record of 3-3 in their last six home games.
On the other hand, the Kings have struggled recently, losing their last five games, including a significant loss to the San Antonio Spurs, where they fell 126-97. Their recent form shows a record of 3-7 over the last ten games, with an average of 110.7 points scored and a concerning 121.0 points allowed. Their away record has been particularly poor, with just one win in their last seven away games.
Historically, the Clippers have performed well against the Kings, holding a 3-1 record in their last four meetings. The most recent encounter was on April 6, 2026, where the Clippers dominated the Kings with a score of 138-109. This trend could play a significant role in the confidence of the Clippers as they prepare for this matchup.
In terms of injuries, the Clippers will be without several key players, including Bradley Beal, Max Strus, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Brandon Ingram, and Jordan Miller. The absence of these players could impact their offensive and defensive strategies. Similarly, the Kings will also be missing Malik Monk, Ben Simmons, Dylan Cardwell, and Maxime Raynaud, which could further weaken their lineup.
The betting market has set the Clippers as 4.5-point favorites according to DraftKings, with a total points line of 226.5. The Clippers' moneyline stands at -185.0, while the Kings are at 154.0. This indicates a strong belief in the Clippers' ability to secure a win, despite their injury concerns.
As the game approaches, viewers should watch for how the Clippers adapt to the absence of their injured players and whether they can maintain their scoring efficiency. The Kings will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities to compete effectively against a Clippers team that has shown they can score in bunches. The matchup promises to be an exciting start to the NBA season, with both teams eager to establish their identity early on.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LAC -5.5 | 226.5 o -112 / u -108 | Sacramento Kings +154 · LA Clippers -185 |
Injury report
- Bradley BealOutKneeLA Clippers
- Max StrusOutFootLA Clippers
- Yanic Konan NiederhauserOutFootLA Clippers
- Brandon IngramOutAchillesLA Clippers
- Jordan MillerOutShoulderLA Clippers
- Malik MonkDay-To-DayAnkleSacramento Kings
- Ben SimmonsOutAchillesSacramento Kings
- Dylan CardwellOutCalfSacramento Kings
- Maxime RaynaudOutKneeSacramento Kings
Leaders
- PointsDarius Garland30LA Clippers
- AssistsKris Dunn7LA Clippers
- ReboundsBrook Lopez11LA Clippers
- PointsZach LaVine28Sacramento Kings
- AssistsDomantas Sabonis8Sacramento Kings
- ReboundsDomantas Sabonis18Sacramento Kings
Recent form
LA Clippers
Last 10: 6-4Streak W1113.9 scored · 111.8 allowed per game3-3 at home
- W115-110vs Golden State WarriorsApr 13
- L97-116at Portland Trail BlazersApr 11
- L110-128vs Oklahoma City ThunderApr 9
- W116-103vs Dallas MavericksApr 8
- W138-109at Sacramento KingsApr 6
- L99-118vs San Antonio SpursApr 3
- L104-114vs Portland Trail BlazersApr 1
- W127-113at Milwaukee BucksMar 29
- W114-113at Indiana PacersMar 27
- W119-94vs Toronto RaptorsMar 26
Sacramento Kings
Last 10: 3-7Streak L1110.7 scored · 121 allowed per game1-6 away
- L110-122at Portland Trail BlazersApr 13
- W124-118vs Golden State WarriorsApr 11
- L105-110at Golden State WarriorsApr 8
- L109-138vs LA ClippersApr 6
- W117-113vs New Orleans PelicansApr 4
- W123-115at Toronto RaptorsApr 2
- L99-116at Brooklyn NetsMar 29
- L113-123at Atlanta HawksMar 28
- L117-121at Orlando MagicMar 26
- L90-134at Charlotte HornetsMar 24
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA Clippers | - | 0 | W1 | 1.000 | 1 |
| LA Lakers | - | 0 | W1 | 1.000 | 1 |
| Golden State | 1 | 1 | L1 | .000 | 0 |
| Sacramento | 1 | 1 | L1 | .000 | 0 |
| Phoenix | 1 | 1 | L1 | .000 | 0 |
Box score
| Stat | Sacramento Kings | LA Clippers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 36-85 | 43-82 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 52 |
| Three-pointers | 8-28 | 14-35 |
| Three-point % | 29 | 40 |
| Free throws | 16-28 | 21-31 |
| Free throw % | 57 | 68 |
| Rebounds | 42 | 49 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 31 | 38 |
| Assists | 22 | 29 |
| Steals | 10 | 14 |
| Blocks | 0 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 17 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 21 | 23 |
| Fast-break points | 18 | 27 |
| Points in the paint | 48 | 56 |
| Fouls | 23 | 24 |
| Largest lead | 0 | 28 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 0 | 98 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter64-78Rui Hachimura makes 25-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
- 3rd Quarter64-79Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter64-80Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter67-80Emanuel Sharp makes 25-foot three point jumper (Nique Clifford assists)
- 3rd Quarter67-82Brook Lopez makes alley oop layup (Derrick Jones Jr. assists)
- 3rd Quarter67-85Kris Dunn makes 23-foot running jump shot (Keaton Wagler assists)
- 3rd Quarter69-85Precious Achiuwa makes finger roll layup (Nique Clifford assists)
- 3rd Quarter70-85Precious Achiuwa makes free throw 1 of 1
- 3rd Quarter70-87Brook Lopez makes 7-foot two point shot
- 3rd Quarter70-89Brook Lopez makes 4-foot turnaround jump shot
- 3rd Quarter70-90Gradey Dick makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter70-91Gradey Dick makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter70-93Kobe Sanders makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter72-93Darius Acuff Jr. makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter74-93Darius Acuff Jr. makes running layup (De'Andre Hunter assists)
- 4th Quarter74-95Darius Garland makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter76-95Zach LaVine makes 17-foot pullup jump shot (Domantas Sabonis assists)
- 4th Quarter76-98Brook Lopez makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot (Kobe Sanders assists)
- 4th Quarter78-98Keegan Murray makes 3-foot turnaround jump shot
- 4th Quarter78-100Darius Garland makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter78-101Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter78-102Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter78-103Gradey Dick makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter80-103Zach LaVine makes 3-foot two point shot (Domantas Sabonis assists)
- 4th Quarter80-105Baba Miller makes driving dunk (Darius Garland assists)
- 4th Quarter80-108Keaton Wagler makes 22-foot running jump shot (Darius Garland assists)
- 4th Quarter83-108Precious Achiuwa makes 22-foot three point jumper (Nique Clifford assists)
- 4th Quarter83-110Darius Garland makes 7-foot driving floating jump shot (Baba Miller assists)
- 4th Quarter85-110Zach LaVine makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter87-110Daeqwon Plowden makes 2-foot running dunk (Zach LaVine assists)
- 4th Quarter89-110Zach LaVine makes running layup (Daeqwon Plowden assists)
- 4th Quarter90-110Precious Achiuwa makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter91-110Precious Achiuwa makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter93-110Nique Clifford makes 17-foot turnaround jump shot
- 4th Quarter93-113Keaton Wagler makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kris Dunn assists)
- 4th Quarter93-116Rui Hachimura makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot (Keaton Wagler assists)
- 4th Quarter94-116Alex Karaban makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter94-118Baba Miller makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter94-121Jalen Pickett makes 26-foot three point jumper (Nick Martinelli assists)
- 4th Quarter96-121Precious Achiuwa makes 9-foot two point shot
Win probability
Above the line favours LA Clippers, below favours Sacramento Kings.
Venue
- Intuit DomeInglewood, CA
- Attendance17927
- OfficialsMark Lindsay, Brett Nansel, Ray Acosta
Elsewhere
- Jason Cadee: "He's gone through things that none of us ever will understand."
- Kawhi-less Clippers roll past the Kings in a wire-to-wire season-opening rout
- Sacramento Kings vs. LA Clippers: Game Highlights
- Walker Kessler has perfect Lakers debut with 12-for-12 shooting in 127-105 win over Warriors
- Tyrese Haliburton leads Pacers' opening-night win in emotional return from injury
- Lakers thrash Warriors to open the season
Picks for NBA
NBA rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Clippers Dominate Kings in Convincing VictoryApr 5, 2026
- Kings Triumph Over Clippers in Thrilling MatchupMar 14, 2026
- Clippers Edge Kings in Close ContestFeb 6, 2026
- Clippers Dominate Kings in Lopsided VictoryDec 30, 2025
- Clippers Defeat Kings 109-91 in Sacramento ShowdownOct 15, 2025