Kings lose to Grizzlies with six players out due to COVID-19 protocols; Queta’s NBA debut
Acting Kings coach Doug Christie didn’t have all the Kings’ horses and all the Kings’ men for Friday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Nobody knows when the Kings will put their roster back together again.
Seven players and several staffers were out due to injury, illness and NBA health and safety protocols as the Kings traversed their first major COVID-19 outbreak. It’s not at all clear when any of them will return, but Christie hopes all able-bodied players will keep fighting until the situation in Sacramento improves.
Christie wasn’t satisfied with the outcome, but he was pleased with the effort from his shorthanded team in a 124-105 loss to the Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center. The Kings started strong and led by 15 in the second quarter, but they faded fast in the third quarter and trailed by as many as 26 in the second half.
“Tough one. Tough one tonight,” Christie said. “Extremely proud of the compete level, though. That was one of the things I tried to emphasize before the game.”
Desmond Bane scored 24 points to lead the Grizzlies (19-11), who have won 10 of 11 since point guard Ja Morant went down with a sprained left knee. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 points. De’Anthony Melton had 19.
Tyrese Haliburton had 21 points, six rebounds and 10 assists for the Kings (12-18), who have been in a state of chaos over the past two days after interim coach Alvin Gentry tested positive for COVID-19. The Kings have been losing players and staff seemingly by the hour since the outbreak started in Sacramento.
Even Haliburton was questionable for Friday’s game due to back soreness, but he said he wanted to be there for his team. He played almost 38 minutes, making 9 of 16 from the field and 3 of 5 from 3-point range.
“I’m a competitor,” Haliburton said. “I wanted to play.”
Harrison Barnes scored 20 points for the Kings. Chimezie Metu, who was questionable with left knee soreness, had career highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds, posting his third double-double of the season. Buddy Hield had 15 points and three steals on his 29th birthday, making 5 of 10 from the field and 4 of 6 from 3-point range.
Marvin Bagley III, Terence Davis, De’Aaron Fox, Louis King, Alex Len and Davion Mitchell were all out due to NBA health and safety protocols. Richaun Holmes missed his fifth game with an eye injury.
Christie started Haliburton, Hield, Barnes, Metu and Tristan Thompson, who finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Sacramento’s bench was depleted with Hield, Metu and Thompson in the starting lineup. The Grizzlies outscored the Kings 37-19 in points off the bench.
Christie used all six players he had on the bench, including three G League callups and Justin Robinson, who was signed to a 10-day contract a couple of hours before tipoff. Rookie center Neemias Queta, one of Sacramento’s G League standouts, made his NBA debut, making history as the first player from Portugal to appear in an NBA game.
“It’s a great accomplishment just to be able to get on the floor and get some reps in and be able to play,” Queta said. “It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been dreaming of this day since I started playing basketball and I’m really happy that it happened today.”
This story was originally published December 18, 2021 at 1:50 AM.
