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Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Round One Game Four of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California

The Kings Needed To Be Just A Little Better

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Russell Westbrook Is Just The Man To Salvage Dignity In Defeat

Tom Ley

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped up during Round One Game Three of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets on April 20, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

The Sixers And Joel Embiid Are Back Where They Always End Up

Dillon Brooks pulls a face after being ejected.

Dillon Brooks Was Humiliating Himself Well Before He Made Contact With The Balls

Ray Ratto

Los Angeles, - April 20: Kawhi Leonard, center, of the LA Clippers looks on from the bench in street clothes against of the Phoenix Suns in the first half of game 3 of a first round NBA playoff basketball game at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

It’s About Star Power

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts toward referee Nick Buchert #3 against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 20, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The 76ers won 102-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

It’s About Contact With The Balls

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors and Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings go for a rebound during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Draymond Who?

The Nuggets Packed All The Reasons To Doubt Them Into One Awful Quarter

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors steps over Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17, 2023 in Sacramento, California. Green was issued a flagrant foul 2 on the play, and ejected from the game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Draymond Shit The Bed

Albert Burneko

New York's Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle confer during Game 2 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Knicks Spent A Quarter In Hell

Patrick Redford

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings is congratulated by teammates after they beat the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

It Took Everyone To Put Steph Curry Somewhere He’s Never Been Before

Draymond Green makes a face after stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis.

The NBA Playoffs Have Not Truly Begun Until Draymond Green Has Kicked Someone In Anger


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Paul Reed #44 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during Round 1 Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The photo has been edited to blow up all the faces in the crowd going wild at Bball Paul's rebound and layup.

Bball Paul Is Balling

DENVER, CO - APRIL 16: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets smiles during Round One Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 16, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jamal Murray’s Back!

Shaq hams it up for photographers at a Formula 1 event.

Mission Accomplished: Shaquille O’Neal Finally Served With Class-Action Lawsuit Documents

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers blocks the shot by Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns, winning Round One Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

Russell Westbrook Is Always Himself

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during Round 1 Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 16, 2023 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

LeBron James Got Some Help From His Secondary Buddies

Samer Kalaf

The rapper E-40 yells at arena security personnel before being escorted from courtside seating during Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings

E-40 Says Kings Security Wrongfully Ejected Him From Game 1

De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings lights the beam after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at the Golden 1 Center on April 15, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

Sacramento Worships Beneath The First Playoff Beam

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates after scoring during the fourth quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse

Jalen Brunson’s Departure Might Haunt The Mavs For A While

Old-timey black-and-white basketball photo

A Timely Preview Of The 2023 NBA Playoffs, Almost Certainly Including All Of The Participants

A Surreal, Chum-Choked Plunge Through Ja Morant’s Countersuit Against A Teen Boy

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 4: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 4, 2023 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

When Domantas Sabonis Leads The Kings Into The Playoffs, I Hope Dale Brown Is Watching

Zion Williamson looks on from the sidelines

NBA