JJ Redick Debates Domantas Sabonis' Impact for the Playoffs

With the playoffs approaching, NBA analyst JJ Redick discusses the Kings and Domantas Sabonis' outlook for a post-season run.

Golden State Warriors v Denver Nuggets. JJ Redick. / Jamie Schwaberow/GettyImages

The Sacramento Kings sit in sixth place in the Western Conference after winning eight of their last 11 games, but with the playoffs approaching, their main focus should be staying out of the Play-In Tournament. The next two games on their schedule come against the star-studded Dallas Mavericks, who are tied with the Kings in the standings.

Ahead of hosting the Mavericks for two consecutive games, the Kings have locked down their defense, allowing an average of just 102.5 points over the past nine games. Their improved defense gives fans more hope for the playoffs, raising the ceiling for this talented Sacramento squad.

NBA analyst and former player JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the Kings' playoff picture, and how their success relies on Domantas Sabonis, via The Old Man and The Three podcast:

Sabonis, he's an All-NBA player. De'Aaron Fox is an All-NBA player. I guess the biggest question mark, and it's going to be there until this team gets to the second round or the third round, is always going to be: Can Sabonis anchor a defense? They haven't been great defensively again this season, they're middle of the pack. That's the big question mark to me.

Redick discusses this with ESPN's Tim Ledger, who argues that the Kings cannot afford Sabonis to have a disappointing playoff series, similar to last year's first-round matchup against the Golden State Warriors:

Look, when you're this impactful offensively possession after possession all season, you need to be close to that in a playoff series. He could run into something because he does have some limitations in his game offensively with his shooting range... It was a masterclass in how [the Warriors] played him in that [2023 first-round playoffs] series... If they get back to that situation in a first-round series against somebody, you can't have a precipitous drop-off in your offensive production over what you have them in the regular season.

Ledger refers to Sacramento's first-round loss to the Warriors in last year's playoffs, where Sabonis averaged 16.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists through the seven-game series, as his production saw a significant drop off from the regular season. The Kings lost the series 3-4, and Sabonis caught flack from many fans around the league for his poor play.

Sabonis has cemented himself as one of the best big men in the league this season, and a strong playoff appearance would further that narrative. Contrary to what Redick argues about Sacramento's defense, the Kings are bolstering one of the league's top defenses in March, as they look to carry the defensive momentum into the playoffs.

While Sabonis and the Kings do have much to prove in this year's playoffs, they seem ready to take on any challenge that comes their way.

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