Sacramento Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield let his frustrations out after the team suffered a 105-104 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. Hield was benched in the fourth quarter of the game by head coach Luke Walton.
In Hield's rant, the fourth-year pro lamented that he disagreed with Walton's decision to bench him. In 37 minutes of play, the 27-year-old guard made six of his 20 shots for 17 points while also adding four rebounds.
“I just feel like I'm one of the better players on the team. I should be there in the fourth quarter, trying to help my team win, regardless. That's why we're here right,” Hield said.
On Friday, Walton responded to Hield's criticism of the Kings (and eventual apology) with thoughts of his own.
“To me, all that stuff should be kept in-house. You've got always understand, it's an emotional game. And I get that,” Walton said, per Sean Cunningham of ABC10. “I know that players and coaches at times are going to speak with their emotions but we've got to do a better job of keeping that in-house.”
https://twitter.com/SeanCunningham/status/1210707096301236225
Despite Buddy Hield pouring in 20.2 points and 5.0 rebounds a night, the Kings have struggled this season. In Luke Walton's first year as head coach, Sacramento has compiled a disappointing 12-19 record through 31 games.
Injuries to key players like point guard De'Aaron Fox and second-year big man Marvin Bagley III throughout the year have hindered the Kings' chances of making the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
With the loss to Minnesota, the Kings extended their losing streak to five games and slid further down the standings in the Western Conference.
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