Kings gameday live: Paul George ruled out for Clippers; Barnes, Bagley out for Sacramento
Interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry promised to find players who would make Sacramento proud following a demoralizing loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center.
Gentry will be looking for someone to step up and take that responsibility when the Kings play the first game in a home-and-home set against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
The Kings posted back-to-back wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and Lakers last week, but they followed those performances with a couple of clunkers, falling 128-101 to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday and 117-92 to the Lakers on Tuesday. The Kings led by 14 in the third quarter before they were outscored 40-8 over a span of 10:24.
The Kings (8-14) won’t have to deal with Kawhi Leonard, who remains out as he recovers from an ACL injury, but the Clippers (11-10) have another All-NBA player in Paul George. The seven-time All-Star is averaging 25.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
The Clippers are coming off back-to-back losses to the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans. The Kings will have Thursday and Friday off before they face the Clippers again Saturday in Sacramento.
Ruled out
Turns out the Kings won’t have to deal with George after all. The Clippers have ruled him out for Wednesday’s game, saying he will take the night off to rest. George logged 37 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Warriors and 34 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Pelicans.
Kings injury updates
The Kings are listing Maurice Harkless as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Clippers due to left knee soreness.
Marvin Bagley III (non-COVID illness), Harrison Barnes (right foot sprain) and Robert Woodard II (left ankle soreness) are out.
No Moe
Gentry said during his pregame news conference that Harkless has been ruled out and will not be available against the Clippers. Harkless will miss his third consecutive game after hurting his knee in Friday’s triple-overtime victory over the Lakers.
Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Clippers
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Staples Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
Odds: Clippers -8.0
Over/under: 216.5
Injury report
Kings: Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Maurice Harkless (knee). DOUBTFUL — Harrison Barnes (foot). OUT — Neemias Queta (G League); Robert Woodard II (G League).
Clippers: OUT — Nicolas Batum (health and safety protocols); Paul George (rest); Kawhi Leonard (knee); Jason Preston (foot).
Note: Check back for updates with the latest news, notes, quotes and injury updates throughout the day leading up to tonight’s game between the Kings and Clippers.
This story was originally published December 1, 2021 at 12:23 PM.
