On Tuesday, Mike Brown will avoid needing to make amends to Sacramento Kings fans who purchased tickets for the game.

Following the Kings’ 133-100 defeat by the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday at home, the head coach expressed regret for the paying audience. The Kings will be away from their home court as they start a five-game road trip and face the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

The Pelicans dominated with a lead of 50 points, securing their fourth victory over Sacramento this season, while De’Aaron Fox, the star guard for Sacramento, managed only three points, shooting 1-of-10.

“They absolutely dominated us,” Brown commented. “One thing I can say is that I feel sorry for the fans who spent their money to come out and watch the game.”

At halftime, New Orleans had a lead of 72-47 and went on to outscore Sacramento 31-14 in the third quarter.

“The determination was non-existent, which has been the case on a number of occasions,” Brown remarked. “That’s the tough part. I don’t hear all the chatter, but I don’t see it in guys’ eyes, and I don’t hear it. You hear the chatter if we’re not playing well offensively. You hear that chatter, but diving on the floor for loose balls, going vertical, hitting somebody, I didn’t see that and that’s bothersome.”

The Kings had won four of their previous five games, including a double-overtime victory over Orlando on Wednesday and a five-point win over Toronto on Friday.

The fans expressed their dissatisfaction as the Pelicans built a significant lead with minimal resistance from the home team.

Center Domantas Sabonis mentioned the booing and said, “We had two great home games with a lot of energy and fight, and (Sunday) we didn’t show that, so it’s normal. It sucks as players (to get booed). You’re on your home court, but you definitely understand them. It was not our best performance.”

The Kings’ opponents, the Pistons, have also struggled to provide their fans with anything to cheer about. Adding to the 3-33 Pistons’ woes is the fact that their top player is now dealing with an injury.

Cade Cunningham left the team’s 131-114 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday during the first half due to a left knee strain.

“Our franchise player. A guy like that can’t play, it has a trickle-down effect across the board,” coach Monty Williams mentioned. “We have different guys stepping up in the pecking order, having to handle the ball and make plays and that kind of thing. Pretty clear how important Cade is to our program.”

Any absence of Cunningham will demand increased output from Pistons guards Jaden Ivey, Alec Burks, Killian Hayes, and Marcus Sasser. The Pistons crumbled without their leader on Sunday, allowing 43 points in the third quarter to the defending champions.

After snapping a historic 28-game losing streak with a home win over the Toronto Raptors on December 30, Detroit has now lost four consecutive games. Cunningham has been averaging 22.8 points with 7.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 36 games.

“He’s one of the main guys who contribute to our team in a huge way,” center Jalen Duren mentioned. “Not just scoring, he’s a facilitator, he’s a guy that attracts a lot of people to him. He has a lot of gravity towards him.”

“Not having him, we just have to make adjustments. But that’s not an excuse. Next guy up, next man mentality and we’re supposed to be ready for that.”