Kings gameday live: Barnes scores 23 in win over Pelicans; Fox shakes shooting slump
New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
Odds: Kings -4.5
Over/under: 219.5
Morning injury report
Pelicans: QUESTIONABLE — Brandon Ingram (hip). OUT — Herbert Jones (concussion); Daulton Hommes (fibula); Zion Williamson (foot).
Kings: OUT — Louis King (G League).
Home at last
The Kings will open a four-game homestand against the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday after wrapping up a four-game road trip Tuesday in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Kings (3-4) will be on the second night of a back-to-back after suffering a 119-113 loss to the Utah Jazz, but the Pelicans (1-7) will be in a similar situation after visiting the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The Pelicans lost their fourth in a row, falling 112-100.
Pelicans star Zion Williamson has yet to suit up this season as he recovers from offseason foot surgery. Williamson did not play in a 113-109 loss to the Kings on Friday in New Orleans and he will not play Wednesday in Sacramento.
The Pelicans have other injury issues as well. Brandon Ingram was held out of Tuesday’s game against the Suns due to a right hip contusion, missing his second consecutive contest. Ingram’s status against the Kings is unknown.
Ingram had 22 points, six rebounds and six assists, but he went 9 of 22 from the field. Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas had a big game against Sacramento, posting 24 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots.
Faith in Fox
De’Aaron Fox had 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the win over the Pelicans last week, but the fifth-year guard from Kentucky has struggled over the first seven games.
Fox is shooting career lows of 36.4% from the field, 15.4% from 3-point range at 63.2% at the free-throw line. He’s also committing 3.9 turnovers per game.
Fox averaged 25.2 points and 7.2 assists last season, but this season he is averaging 17.7 points and 6.7 assists. He was held to 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting in Tuesday’s loss to the Jazz.
“De’Aaron’s a very, very talented player,” Kings coach Luke Walton said. “He knows how important he is to us, and when you’re struggling, the best way out of it is to work harder, grind more, fight through it, believe in what you’re doing and believe in your teammates, and I have all the faith in the world that De’Aaron will do that.”
Asked if he likes Fox’s shot selection so far this season, Walton said: “I love everything about De’Aaron Fox.”
Recalled
The Kings have recalled guard Jahmi’us Ramsey and forward Robert Woodard II from their G League affiliate in Stockton.
Ramsey, the 43rd pick in the 2020 NBA draft, appeared in 13 games last season, averaging 3.1 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists last season. Woodard, the 40th pick in the 2020 draft, averaged 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in 13 games last season. Neither has appeared in a game for the Kings this season.
Ingram update
The Pelicans are listing Ingram as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Kings. Ingram, who is averaging 25.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists, hasn’t played since Friday’s loss to Sacramento. He is shooting 46.6% from the field and a career-best 45.5% from 3-point range.
Ruled out
Pelicans coach Willie Green said Ingram’s status would be a gametime decision. Green said Ingram would go through a pregame workout before a final decision was made.
About 30 minutes before tipoff, the Pelicans announced Ingram had been ruled out. He will miss his third consecutive game.
Halftime
The Kings carried a 56-52 lead into the halftime break following a sluggish start. They shot 48.9% in the first half despite going 0 of 4 and 2 of 8 to start the game.
Richaun Holmes led the way with 12 points and six rebounds. Harrison Barnes added 10 points. Fox had nine points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 1 of 2 from 3-point range.
Devonte’ Graham led all scorers with 14 points at the break. He was 5 of 8 from the field and 4 of 7 from 3-point range.
Kings win
The Kings turned in an impressive fourth quarter to close out the Pelicans, pulling away for a 112-99 victory.
Barnes had a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds for Sacramento. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 20 points and seven assists. Fox had 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Graham scored 16 points apiece to lead the Pelicans. Valanciunas had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Kings won despite losing Holmes, who was ejected early in the third quarter after throw his headband in frustration. Holmes had 12 points and six rebounds in 16 minutes. Alex Len played an important role with Holmes out of the game. Len had 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting with five rebounds and three blocked shots. Rookie Davion Mitchell also played a key role off the bench, finishing with 12 points and a career-high eight assists.
The Kings shot 52.5% from the field while holding the Pelicans to 43%. Sacramento had 27 assists, eight steals and seven blocked shots while committing only eight turnovers.
“It was nice to get our first home win,” Walton said. “The crowd was loud. The energy in the building was fantastic, especially in the second half when we went on a run.”
Note: Check back for updates with the latest news, notes, quotes and injury updates before, during and after tonight’s game between the Kings and Pelicans.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
