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NBA Power Rankings Week 9: The slide of the Los Angeles Lakers

By Corey Rausch

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center on February 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center on February 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

team. 84. . 12-17. Previous: 16th. Sacramento Kings. 24

Last Week: Lost to Memphis Grizzlies 124-110, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 136-125, Lost to Miami Heat 118-110, Lost to Chicago Bulls 122-114

This Week: 2/21 at Milwaukee Bucks, 2/23 at Brooklyn Nets, 2/25 at New York Knicks, 2/26 at Detroit Pistons

It has to feel like the win streak that pushed the Sacramento Kings to an even record at this point in the season was all a dream. The Kings have lost six games in a row and find themselves in familiar territory: on the outside of the playoffs looking in.

Seeing Richaun Holmes limited to just one game is an under-the-radar hit that does not help matters at all. Holmes keeps so many possessions alive through sheer hustle that losing him for any amount of time would be problematic. His loss resulted in Nemanja Bjelica returning to the court at long last and he was good enough in his audition for the trade market (most notably a 25-point, eight-rebound game against the Miami Heat).

The red-hot De’Aaron Foxx saw his production cool significantly this week, dropping to just 18.3 points, 9.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting a morbid 16.7 percent from distance. Marvin Bagley led the team this week, averaging 21.3 points and 9.3 rebounds a game, which tells you everything you need to know. If Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hield do not play to the level they did on the win streak, the clock will quickly strike midnight on the Cinderella story that is the Sacramento Kings.