"We’ve dropped a lot of games": Domantas Sabonis gets honest about his team's mistakes

At this point last season, the Sacramento Kings were surprising everyone by having such a strong run and earning their first playoff appearance in years. But this year they are currently the fifth seed with a 26-18 record. There is clearly room for improvement for the Kings.

The team has given away some big wins, according to big man Domantas Sabonis. Speaking with The Athletic, Sabonis spoke about some of the mistakes the team has made.

Sabonis said:

“Our record isn’t what we think it can be. But we know we’ve dropped a lot of games where we’ve had full control. Just in this last week, the Phoenix and the Milwaukee (losses), those would have been two wins where we would have been up in fourth or fifth (place) or whatever it is, you know? It’s tough, because we know we are better. We’ve shown it."

"So we’ve just got to stay mentally strong. We need to win games to get the best seed as we can for the playoffs, but I feel like, as the year goes on, we’re learning more and more, you know?" he added.

The two losses that Sabonis listed - to the Bucks and Suns -were certainly some of the toughest of the season. The Milwaukee defeat was particularly bad because it was in overtime and by just one point.

In the span of a year, the Kings have become incredibly competitive again but the success they have found comes with its own set of challenges. Other teams now fear the Kings and will work even harder to shut them down.

The Kings are now in the midst of a seven-game road trip and will next square off against the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, and Indiana Pacers.