Kings coach Luke Walton offers medical updates on De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III
The Kings don’t expect point guard De’Aaron Fox to miss much time with his latest injury, but the prognosis for forward Marvin Bagley III isn’t as certain.
Kings coach Luke Walton said Bagley underwent an MRI on Friday and will meet with a foot specialist Saturday to determine the extent of the foot injury he sustained in Thursday’s 105-104 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Walton said Fox will be considered day-to-day after an MRI confirmed he experienced nothing more than back spasms Thursday night.
“Marvin’s going to meet with a foot specialist tomorrow, so we’ll know more tomorrow,” Walton said following Friday’s practice. “De’Aaron had an MRI this morning and that looks good; more of just what they thought, which is back spasms, and it’s one of those things that’s day-to-day. It just depends how quickly we can get that back to loosen up.”
The Kings (12-19) will play host to the Phoenix Suns (11-19) on Saturday before visiting the Denver Nuggets (21-9) on Sunday. Sacramento has lost five in a row.
Fox and Bagley were both injured in Thursday’s loss to the Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center. They have already combined to miss a total of 39 games this season and only recently returned from unrelated injuries.
Fox left the game with back spasms less than two minutes into the first quarter and did not return. He landed awkwardly after contesting a shot on defense and immediately hobbled off the floor, going straight to the locker room for treatment from the team’s medical staff.
Fox did not practice with the team Friday but was seen walking on a treadmill and shooting free throws after practice.
Bagley limped off the floor in obvious discomfort with 4:05 remaining in the third quarter after grabbing a defensive rebound. The Kings later announced Bagley would not return due to a left foot injury.
Bagley posted a season-high 18 points and four rebounds before leaving the game. He made 6 of 10 from the field and 6 of 7 free throws but missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
Bagley was seen leaving the locker room in a walking boot following the game. Both Bagley and Fox exited without speaking to the media.
Fox returned last week after missing 17 games with a grade-3 ankle sprain. He had one of his best games of the season in Monday’s loss to the Houston Rockets, tying his season high with 31 points while grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out six assists. Fox is averaging 18.8 points, 6.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds.
Bagley recently returned after missing 22 games with a broken thumb, an injury he sustained in a season-opening loss to the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 13.0 points and 6.9 rebounds in his first seven games since coming back from the injury.
Kings upcoming schedule
Dec. 28 vs. Phoenix Suns, 6 p.m.
Dec. 31 vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 2 p.m.
Jan. 2 vs. Memphis, 7 p.m.
Jan. 4 vs. New Orleans, 7 p.m.
Jan. 6 vs. Golden State, 7 p.m.
This story was originally published December 27, 2019 at 2:26 PM.
