The Sacramento Kings opened their 2026 NBA Summer League campaign with a hard-fought 95–89 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on July 7 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The win highlighted the Kings' depth and poise in a contest that swung back and forth deep into the fourth quarter.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams showed energy typical of Summer League basketball—fast breaks, aggressive defense, and a willingness to share the ball. The Kings built a narrow 28–25 lead after the first quarter, but the Bucks responded in the second, using crisp ball movement to tie the game at 47 by halftime. The third quarter saw Milwaukee briefly take a six-point advantage, but Sacramento's bench unit swung momentum back with a 10–2 run late in the period.

Key Moments Down the Stretch

The decisive stretch came with under five minutes remaining. Tied at 84, Kings guard Keon Ellis knocked down a corner three-pointer to put Sacramento ahead for good. On the ensuing possession, rookie forward Devin Carter drew a charging foul on Bucks guard MarJon Beauchamp, snuffing out a potential fast-break opportunity. The Kings then sealed the game at the free-throw line, connecting on 7 of 8 attempts in the final two minutes.

Standout Performers

• Keon Ellis (Sacramento): The two-way guard finished with a game-high 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, showing why the Kings are high on his future.
• Colby Jones (Sacramento): Added 18 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals while playing strong perimeter defense.
• MarJon Beauchamp (Milwaukee): Led the Bucks with 19 points and 8 rebounds, though he struggled with turnovers (5) in the fourth quarter.
• Andre Jackson Jr. (Milwaukee): Provided energy off the bench with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and a highlight-reel alley-oop finish.

Tactical Story of the Game

Sacramento’s ability to control the pace in the final six minutes proved critical. After Milwaukee had success attacking the paint in the third quarter, the Kings switched to a zone defense, forcing the Bucks into contested jumpers. Milwaukee shot just 33% from the floor in the fourth quarter, while Sacramento’s half-court execution—particularly high pick-and-roll actions involving Ellis and center Neemias Queta—created open looks and free-throw opportunities.

Summer League Context and Next Steps

This was the opening game for both teams in the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League. The Kings will look to build on this momentum in their next contest against the Brooklyn Nets, while the Bucks will aim to correct their fourth-quarter execution when they face the Miami Heat. For the player development standpoint, the performance of Sacramento’s young backcourt duo of Ellis and Jones was especially encouraging for Kings fans eager to see the future of the franchise.