Sacramento Kings get the chance to prove that they are the real heroes in their opening game

We haven’t yet received the full schedule for the 2024-25 NBA season, but we have received some clues. And on Monday, it was reported that the Sacramento Kings would play their first game of the season at home on Thursday, October 24.

In a season where many fans are hoping the Kings will emerge as surprise contenders in the Western Conference, the team will have a chance to prove its position right at the start, as their first duel will be against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Not only are the Timberwolves one of the five teams in the West that the Kings have to worry about most, they are also coming off a year in which they reached the Western Conference Finals (where they lost 4-1 to the Dallas Mavericks).

If the Kings can beat the Timberwolves to start the season, it would set the tone for the rest of the year, and more importantly, it would give them a big step toward becoming a serious contender in the Western Conference.

Last season, the Kings played against the Timberwolves three times (twice away and once at home) and defeated them in two of those three meetings.

In those three games, the Kings had a positive point differential over the team that finished with the best defense in the league (+5).

In terms of significant injuries, Keegan Murray (SAC) and Jaden McDaniels (MIN) were both out of action in the first game. Malik Monk did not play in the second game. And in the third game, De’Aaron Fox was out the entire game, while Anthony Edwards missed the second half due to the birth of his child.

A side aspect of this matchup is that it will be Jordan McLaughlin’s first game against the only team he has ever known, but given his place in the rankings, it is doubtful he will play much (if any) role in this game.

McLaughlin joined the Kings this summer after signing a one-year, veteran-minimum contract (worth about $2.4 million).

Last season, McLaughlin averaged 3.5 PPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 RPG and 0.6 SPG on 63.8% true shooting (88th percentile). According to Dunks & Threes, McLaughlin was in the 79th percentile in Estimated Plus-Minus (EPM). The Timberwolves were +12.6 per 100 possessions when he was on the court.