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.

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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:

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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.

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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…

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Publish date : 2026-08-14 15:25:00

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