Seven Riveting Kings Matchups To Watch Following 2026-27 Nba Schedule Release

Seven riveting Kings matchups to watch following 2026-27 NBA schedule release originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

There always is something to look forward to coming off a 22-win season — assuming things won’t be worse than they were before.

That is the hope for the Kings as they brace for a 2026-27 NBA campaign after a forgettable 2025-26 season in which they lost 60 games and were tied for the worst record in the entire Western Conference.

With a promising draft by general manager Scott Perry and his front office staff, which included adding No. 7 overall pick and the hopeful future face of the franchise Darius Acuff Jr., Alex Karaban (No. 29) and Emanuel Sharpe (No. 45) to a rebuilding squad in Sacramento, the future is bright in California’s capital.

But execution is everything. False promises and hope bring eye rolls to desperate and die-hard Kings fans, who have experienced just one playoff series in 20 years. While they might not necessarily be expecting a championship parade down J St. next summer, there is a sense that the rookies and young players will, at the very least, bring some new excitement to the city over the course of an 82-game season.

Here are seven games to look forward to:

at Los Angeles Clippers, Oct. 21

Season openers bring enough excitement on their own.

But this particular game could bring an extra batch of eyes to it with the Acuff Jr. vs. Keaton Wagler matchup.

Wagler was selected No. 5 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, two spots ahead of Acuff Jr.

The 2026 draft class was regarded as one of the best in years, and specifically with the flurry of point guard talent around where Wagler and Acuff Jr. were selected, the comparisons have poured in and will continue to do so throughout their respective rookie seasons and NBA careers.

The comparisons already drew in during NBA Summer League. But it’s a different story during the regular season.

vs. Trail Blazers, Oct. 23

There is nothing quite like a Golden 1 Center homecoming.

Despite the team’s lack of consistent success, Kings fans celebrate their favorite team every game like it’s the playoffs.

While a Trail Blazers vs. Kings regular-season game doesn’t necessarily scream box office, the first game at home for any team is special. Plus, Portland’s squad will look a bit different than Sacramento’s last run-in with it, with Ja Morant now on the team and Damian Lillard‘s return after missing the entire 2025-26 season recovering from a torn left Achilles.

The home opener also sets the tone. Sacramento won just 15 games at home last season. Doug Christie is trying to change that.

That begins Oct. 23.

vs. Spurs, Nov. 6

OK, OK. Now let’s really get into it.

Fans can say they’re over the De’Aaron Fox drama, but it might never not feel weird to see Fox walk onto the Golden 1 Center court wearing a jersey other than a Kings jersey.

The former Kings point guard, who spent the first eight seasons of his career as the face of the franchise in Sacramento, received a mixed bag of reactions during his return to Sacramento last season, although the positive applause slightly outweighed the gentle boos and groans.

All eyes were on Fox, and that will be the same case during his return to the 916 in early November. Every move he makes, such as which Kings players he shakes hands with postgame — and more so which ones he doesn’t — will be amplified and become a storyline.

I’m not sure when this will stop being a storyline, but that time is not now.

Plus, the Spurs are the defending Western Conference champions led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama. Once a generational talent like Wembanyama walks into the building, it’s always a must-watch game.

vs. 76ers, Dec. 29

I don’t know the last time a 76ers-Kings matchup was as enticing as this upcoming one.

That is the power of the King.

LeBron James decided to end his NBA career with Philadelphia, meaning when his Sixers come into town just after Christmas, it could be the last time James plays an NBA basketball game in Sacramento.

It is quite the full-circle moment for James, who began his NBA career in Sacramento when he entered the league with the Cleveland Cavaliers and faced the Kings in his first regular-season NBA game in 2003.

In that game, he finished with 25 points on 60 percent shooting, with six rebounds, nine assists and four steals in 43 minutes.

The rest, of course, is history.

But that history is still being written for at least one more season, and it will be special.

vs. Nets, Dec. 31

Similar to the season opener against the Clippers, this late December Nets-Kings matchup will bring two promising rookies face-to-face.

Acuff Jr. and the Kings will host Mikel Brown Jr., who was selected No. 6 overall, and the Nets, who are coached by former Kings assistant coach Jordi Fernandez.

Similar to the Kings, the Nets have been in what feels like a forever-rebuilding stage. But each team’s young players give their fans something to look forward to for the future.

vs. Knicks, Jan. 8, 2027

If Mike Brown were a petty king, his return to Sacramento could look very different next January.

But the former Kings coach, who was fired by the organization during the 2024-25 season, continuously has taken the high road when speaking about his former employer.

Even while on his path toward making history with the New York Knicks by winning their first championship in five long decades, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé for giving him an opportunity.

When Brown returned to Golden 1 Center last season, he, rightfully so, was greeted with a warm welcome by fans.

That likely won’t change anytime soon.

vs. Warriors, March 10, 2027

It is kind of wild to think that the Warriors won’t come into town until five months into the season.

With their arenas about 90 miles away from one another, there is never a shortage of Warriors fans who swarm into Golden 1 Center to watch Steph Curry play.

The close proximity, plus recent intense battles, have heightened this NorCal rivalry over the past couple of years.

While some could argue that this isn’t a true rivalry such as the Lakers-Celtics, there is no denying that Warriors and Kings players turn it up a notch when facing each other.

Whether they want to admit it or not.

Unfortunately, fans in Sacramento will have to wait a while to watch it.

Fortunately, it almost certainly will be worth the wait.

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