The ear-to-ear grin snuck up on Jason Thompson as he got ready to make his first regular season NBA start. It lasted just a moment, before the rookie's expression turned serious.
"I knew this was an opportunity to help the team out by playing a position I hadn't played before," said Thompson, who learned he would start at small forward during the team's morning shootaround.
The Kings retooled their lineup to account for an injury to shooting guard Kevin Martin, with coach Reggie Theus deciding to go big by moving John Salmons to the two.
"It was great to have the opportunity to start at home," Thompson said. "It's tough to have Kevin out, but it's a big opportunity for me, not just at the three."
Thompson scored 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field, while adding nine rebounds.
Thompson said he is "pretty comfortable" at the three, but it remains "something new for me."
Theus said his decision to go with Thompson had to do with how the rookie played Sunday.
"I watched the game the other night against Golden State and Jason did a pretty good job on Stephen Jackson," Theus said. "The matchup with Tayshaun Prince I thought was a good matchup for him and I thought he played well."
Douby rejoins team – Quincy Douby rejoined the Kings during the team's morning shootaround, but it wasn't early enough to make Theus comfortable playing the guard.
Tuesday marked the first time Douby was available to play after missing the last two games with a sore right ankle.
"He's just getting back, so I went with the guys who I thought had rhythm," Theus said. "He may play big minutes tomorrow."
Douby said he was planning on returning to the team before Martin's injury opened up minutes at shooting guard.
"I told (the team) before Kevin got injured, but they wanted me to rest a few more days," Douby said. "The plan was to see how it felt."
Douby said he had a simplistic way of approaching future games.
"I will just go out there and play hard," Douby said.
Feet first – Injured swingman Francisco García couldn't help himself. He had to give Thompson a little grief over the rookie's overnight bag.
Thompson's large suitcase sat next to his locker, prepared for today's trip to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers. But Thompson, who wears a size-20 shoe, said he had good reason.
"If the bag was any smaller, my shoes wouldn't fit," Thompson said.
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521. To get breaking news alerts and game scores sent to your phone, text KINGS to 72737.
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