The Sacramento Kings lost another tough game on Thursday night, falling to the New Orleans Pelicans 133-123. The defeat once again highlighted the frustrations of the struggling team. Kings guard Russell Westbrook didn't hide that disappointment after the game and gave a blunt response during his media session. This moment became another chapter in a rapidly growing story as the Kings' season continues to unfold.
Russell Westbrook decided to reach out to the media after the game tonight. pic.twitter.com/UOgmGhV5OH
- James Ham (@James_HamNBA) 6 March 2026
In this latest Kings matchup against the Pelicans, Sacramento fell to 14-50 on the year, the worst record in the league. The defeat also extended a sad situation which includes eight defeats in the last ten matches. Earlier this fall, the Kings suffered a brutal 16-game losing streak that began on January 18 and ultimately ended with a win over the Memphis Grizzlies on February 23.
On floor, Westbrook was still struggling. However, after the final buzzer, the focus shifted from the box score to the tension between the locker room and the media.
Russell Westbrook hits back at media criticism of Kings
The exchange occurred during Westbrook's postgame availability, as captured by Kings insider James Ham. When asked about the final stretch of the season, Westbrook answered calmly at first.
"You know, go out and compete. It's a game. You go in and play professionally. That's all you can do," Westbrook said.
The king's guards then turned the conversation towards the journalists in the room.
"What do you all think, though? Because y'all got a lot of answers, and y'all always talk," Westbrook said.
Westbrook then pressed the issue.
"You make a lot of statements and blanket statements that you have no context for," Westbrook said.
Westbrook later explained why he felt compelled to speak out for the Kings.
"My job is to speak for the guys in the locker room," he said. "Don't make out-of-context comments about people as individuals... If you don't know, don't say anything you don't know."
It was a raw moment. Honest. emotional. The kind of stress that shows up when you lose piles up.
The Kings still have 18 games left this season. But with growing frustrations and a mounting deficit, a question looms over Sacramento. How loud will the noise get before this season ends?
