Win over Clippers helps Kings develop rhythm with Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes
Kings coach Luke Walton has precious little time to integrate Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes into his rotation before seeding games begin, so he was happy to have them in uniform Monday for the team’s final scrimmage against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Both players returned after missing the first two scrimmages. Their minutes were restricted, but each minute has added value as the Kings try to establish timing and rhythm before the games begin to count Friday when they play the San Antonio Spurs.
The Kings found a little of both in a 106-102 victory over the Clippers on Monday at The Arena, one of three venues where NBA games are being played at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando. Walton was glad Holmes and Barnes could be a part of the team’s first win in the NBA bubble.
“It’s great for them,” Walton said. “To have the opportunity to get just this one scrimmage in with them where they were both coming from was really big for us. Obviously, we’d like to have them for all three, but that’s not how it played out. So getting a little bit of time out there on the floor together I think is going to pay off by the time Friday comes around.”
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Kings with 21 points. Buddy Hield had 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists, including two pretty passes to Harry Giles III and an unselfish pass to Cory Joseph for an open 3-pointer. De’Aaron Fox had 12 points, six assists and four rebounds, and Giles posted 12 points and nine rebounds before fouling out.
Barnes finished with 12 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes. Holmes had six points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.
Barnes had been away from the team for three weeks after testing positive for COVID-19 in early July. After Monday’s game, he revealed his wife and mother also contracted the virus and experienced more severe symptoms.
Barnes traveled to Florida on Friday and participated in his first practice Sunday after clearing COVID-19 protocols. Holmes has been limited to practice sessions since emerging from his mandatory 10-day quarantine for breaking NBA bubble rules.
Walton said he believed both were ready to play Monday during a pregame Zoom session with the media.
“They look good,” Walton said before the game. “Harrison surprisingly is — he’s only been with us for a day now, so he looks good. And Richaun’s got good energy, flying around the gym, so big pickup as far as the overall intensity, getting both of them back in the gym.”
Starting lineup
Walton started Holmes with Fox, Bogdanovic, Kent Bazemore and Nemanja Bjelica. Holmes was active and aggressive. He got to the free throw line six times and committed four fouls in limited minutes.
“It felt great just to have the opportunity to be out here playing basketball again, be out here with my teammates and having fun,” Holmes said. “Got to get some timing things together to make sure my wind is right, but it felt great to be out there on the floor and continue to compete.”
Holmes said he was pleased with his conditioning despite spending 10 days in a 320-square-foot room under quarantine orders.
“My wind felt fine,” he said. “I’ve been doing a lot of work. I’m putting a lot of work in on and off the court to make sure I’m in the best shape I can be when I get back out there.”
Walton elected to bring Barnes off the bench. Walton said the team would limit Barnes’ playing time more than Holmes, although Barnes ended up logging more minutes.
Barnes, a combo forward whose versatility is vital to Walton’s small-ball lineups, entered the game for the first time midway through the first quarter. He first assumed the small forward position with Fox, Bogdanovic, Bjelica and Holmes. Barnes then moved to the power forward spot with Fox, Hield, Bogdanovic and Giles.
The past few days were a whirlwind for Barnes, who suited up roughly 72 hours after arriving in the bubble, but he was eager and ready to play, and time is of the essence.
“It’s been a rush since yesterday — early morning test, getting out and practicing, getting some shots up and then playing in today’s game,” Barnes said. “It’s just great to be out there. Physically, I feel good. Rhythm wise, there’s a lot of things that can be tightened up and improved, but luckily I have a couple more days to try to do that before it’s go time.”
Update on Alex Len
One player the Kings haven’t gotten back yet is Alex Len, the 7-foot center who came to Sacramento in a February trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
Len lost taste and smell and experienced chest tightness during a 24-day battle with COVID-19 before he was cleared to join the team July 17. Ten days later, Walton said Len is still trying to get game-ready in time for Friday’s bubble opener against the Spurs.
“We’re hopeful,” Walton said. “He’s working hard, but he has not joined any 5-on-5 contact-type of drills yet. … We’re hopeful that we can have him by the time games start, but there’s a chance that we don’t.”
Len averaged 6.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in nine games for the Kings. In those nine games, the Kings ranked second in the NBA behind the Milwaukee Bucks in defensive rebounding percentage (.768) and opponent’s second-chance points (8.9). They were 10th in defensive rating (109.3).
Walton said the Kings aren’t the same defensively without Len’s imposing presence.
“We’re drilling and playing with different coverages,” Walton said. “Those nine games he played, he really brought an edge and a toughness to our paint. With his size, he did a great job protecting the rim and all those things, but without some one of that size defensive coverages have to be a little different. Offensive execution is going to be different, so it’s just kind of getting reps with what we have. We love what we have. It’s just different than when you have someone of Alex’s unique size out there.”
Kings upcoming schedule
Friday vs. Spurs, 5 p.m. (NBCS)
Sunday vs. Magic, 3 p.m. (NBCS, NBA TV)
Aug. 4 vs. Mavericks, 11:30 a.m. (NBCS)
Aug. 6 vs. Pelicans, 10:30 a.m. (NBCS, NBA TV)
Aug. 7 vs. Nets, 2 p.m. (NBCS)
Aug. 9 vs. Rockets, 5 p.m. (NBCS)
Aug. 11 vs. Pelicans, 6 p.m. (NBCS, TNT)
Aug. 13 vs. Lakers, TBD (NBCS)
This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
