Kings gameday live: Latest injury updates; players in COVID-19 protocols vs. Grizzlies
The Kings will be closely monitoring the health of their players as they prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Golden 1 Center.
Sources told The Sacramento Bee there was concern within the Kings organization over the number of players who would be available for the game while the team tries to manage its first major COVID-19 outbreak. The Kings were fairly confident Friday morning the game would go on, but that is subject to change pending further testing.
The NBA requires teams to have a minimum of eight players in uniform at the start of each game. The Kings (12-17) still had enough healthy players as of Thursday night, but additional positive tests Friday could force the league to postpone their game against the Grizzlies (18-11).
Interim coach Alvin Gentry, De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, Terence Davis, Alex Len and Louis King entered NBA health and safety protocols Wednesday and Thursday. Bagley, Davis and King have already been ruled out for Friday’s game. Fox and Len are considered doubtful.
The Kings are also dealing with a number of injuries. Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable due to back soreness. Chimezie Metu is questionable with left knee soreness. Richaun Holmes is doubtful as he recovers from the right eye laceration that caused him to miss the past four games.
With G League callups, the Kings could have as many as nine players available even if Fox, Haliburton, Davis, King, Bagley, Metu, Holmes and Len are all ruled out. That would leave acting coach Doug Christie with an active roster consisting of Davion Mitchell, Buddy Hield, Jahmi’us Ramsey, Robert Woodard II, Harrison Barnes, Maurice Harkless, Tristan Thompson, Damian Jones and Neemias Queta.
The Grizzlies have some injury issues as well, but they’ve won nine of 10 without point guard Ja Morant. Santi Aldama (calf) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Kings. Morant is out due to health and safety protocols and a left knee sprain. Brandon Clarke (knee), Sam Merrill (ankle) and Ziaire Williams (ankle) have also been ruled out.
Update
Fox and Mitchell have been ruled out for Friday’s game due to NBA health and safety protocols. Seven players have been ruled out and two more are listed as questionable, potentially leaving the Kings with only eight healthy players.
The NBA requires teams to have a minimum of eight players in uniform at the start of each game. The league will be monitoring the situation in Sacramento closely up until tip-off, but as of now neither the Kings nor the NBA have indicated the game will be postponed.
A league source told The Sacramento Bee rigorous testing continued within the Kings organization Friday afternoon. Sources said the Kings would sign free-agent guard Justin Robinson if the league grants them a hardship exception.
Memphis Grizzlies at Sacramento Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
Odds: Grizzlies -6.5
Over/under: 221
Injury report
Grizzlies: OUT — Brandon Clarke (knee); Sam Merrill (ankle); Ja Morant (knee + health and safety protocols); Ziaire Williams (ankle).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Tyrese Haliburton (back); Chimezie Metu (knee). DOUBTFUL — De’Aaron Fox (health and safety protocols); Richaun Holmes (eye); Alex Len (health and safety protocols). OUT — Marvin Bagley III (health and safety protocols); Terence Davis (health and safety protocols); Louis King (health and safety protocols).
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 Grizzlies.
This story was originally published December 17, 2021 at 4:00 AM.
