BREAKING NEWS: Barnes sents a strong message to Kings after loss to Cavs

Even with a triple-double from Domantas Sabonis, the Kings were unable to secure a sixth victory to end their season-long road trip.

At Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ explosive offence defeated Sacramento 136-110. The Kings shot less than 50% from the field and less than 40% from beyond the arc.

There was one bright spot in the loss for Harrison Barnes, though.

The Kings forward, who finished with a team-high 22 points, praised his team’s effort away from home in an interview with the media after Sacramento’s final game of a two-week road trip. He also made sure to give Cleveland his flowers.

Barnes responded to reporters, “Obviously, you have to give them credit.” They simply played better than we did when they came out. It’s going to be difficult to win, in my opinion, when you leave a team like that, particularly when their shooters get into such a groove.

Despite tonight’s performance, though, I believe we did a fantastic job of striving to maintain consistency throughout this road trip. You know, you strive to finish over $500 before these road trips, so I felt like we did that. We have good reason to be pleased about that.
Teams often get the chance to interact and develop good chemistry both on and off the court during road trips like the one the Kings just finished.

According to Barnes, Sacramento accomplished this while winning five of its seven games and only losing to the Miami Heat and the Cavaliers, two Eastern teams that are in the running for the playoffs.

Barnes continued, “I mean, this road trip has been fun.” “I believe the most important thing is to enjoy yourself while you’re winning; I don’t think anyone will lie about that. That, in my opinion, makes everything else solid. Everyone feels like, “Man, there’s just juice we’re leaving on the table, wins we’re leaving on the table,” when you’re not playing your best basketball.

“I believe that when we reflect on our road trip, the two losses we experienced… Those teams, I mean, they simply defeated us. We may return home with a renewed sense of purpose and satisfaction after these victories, in my opinion.
As the Kings prepare for a two-game home stand, there are plenty of things to be positive about and to work on.

That seemed to be the consensus in Sacramento’s locker room following a defeat early in the week.