Los Angeles Clippers missing two key starters as surging Kings look to win again
The Los Angeles Clippers will be missing two starters when they entertain the Kings on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center.
The Clippers said point guard Patrick Beverley and guard Paul George will be out due to injuries. Beverley has a sore right groin. George is out with a strained left hamstring.
The Kings (22-33) have won seven of their last 11 games, including a 124-103 victory over the Clippers (37-18) on Jan. 30 in Los Angeles. The Clippers were missing Kawhi Leonard in that game. They came out flat in the first game played at Staples Center following the death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
The Kings made a franchise-record 21 3-point goals in that contest, surpassing the previous high of 20, which they have achieved three times over the past two seasons. Point guard De’Aaron Fox scored 34 points to help the Kings snap a 10-game losing streak against the Clippers that dated back to March 26, 2017.
Fox might look to attack again Saturday with Beverley out of the lineup. The two-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection has started 40 games this season, averaging 8.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals.
George is a six-time All-Star who came to Los Angeles along with Leonard last summer to turn the Clippers into a Western Conference contender. George has averaged 21.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 34 games this season.
The Clippers have not played since suffering back-to-back losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics before the All-Star break. They have lost three of their last four games.
The Kings will be shorthanded as well. Center Richaun Holmes (shoulder) and forward Marvin Bagley III (foot) have been out for weeks. Center Alex Len, acquired on the eve of the trade deadline in the deal that sent Dewayne Dedmon back to the Atlanta Hawks, is listed as questionable with a strained right hip flexor, but coach Luke Walton said Len might make his Kings debut this weekend.
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Alex Len (hip). OUT — Richaun Holmes (shoulder); Marvin Bagley III (foot).
Clippers: OUT — Paul George (hamstring); Patrick Beverley (groin).
Kings upcoming schedule
Feb. 22 at Los Angeles Clippers, 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 at Golden State, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 at Oklahoma City, 5 p.m.
Feb. 28 at Memphis, 5 p.m.
March 1 vs. Detroit, 3 p.m.
March 3 vs. Washington, 7 p.m.
This story was originally published February 22, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
