Kings gameday live: Will Holmes return vs. Spurs? Who’s out due to COVID-19 protocols?
Several players will still be sidelined due to NBA health and safety protocols when the Kings play the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at Golden 1 Center, but one key player could be ready to return.
Kings center Richaun Holmes was upgraded to questionable on the team’s injury report Saturday after missing the past five games with a laceration to his right eye. Marvin Bagley III, Terence Davis, De’Aaron Fox, Louis King, Alex Len and Davion Mitchell are expected to miss a second game due to health and safety protocols as the Kings face their first major COVID-19 outbreak.
The Kings (12-18) would welcome Holmes’ return after losing six players to the league’s protocol system. Holmes is averaging 14.0 points and 9.3 rebounds. Acting coach Doug Christie had only 11 players available in Friday’s 124-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, including three G League callups and Justin Robinson, who signed a 10-day contract shortly before tipoff.
The Spurs (11-17) are coming off a 128-126 victory over the Utah Jazz. Keldon Johnson had 24 points and eight rebounds in that contest. Derrick White scored 22 points. Lonnie Walker IV came off the bench to score 19.
Postponements
The Kings and Spurs are still expected to tip off as scheduled, but the NBA has postponed five other games that were supposed to be played Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
The Denver Nuggets at Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans at Philadelphia 76ers games on Sunday were all postponed due to the NBA’s growing COVID-19 outbreak. Monday’s Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors game and Tuesday’s Washington Wizards at Nets games were also postponed.
As of Saturday night, there were more than 60 players in NBA health and safety protocols. The Nets have 10 players out due to protocols, including stars Kevin Durant and James Harden. Other teams with several players in protocols include the Kings (6), Boston Celtics (6), New York Knicks (6), Orlando Magic (5), Chicago Bulls (5) and Los Angeles Lakers (5).
Holmes ruled out
Christie said Holmes will miss his sixth game in a row after being ruled out due to the eye injury.
Christie said he will start the same lineup he used in Friday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Kings will start Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield in the backcourt with Harrison Barnes at small forward, Chimezie Metu at power forward and Tristan Thompson at center.
San Antonio Spurs at Sacramento Kings
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
Odds: Spurs -4.5
Over/under: 229
Injury report
Spurs: OUT — Devontae Cacok (G League); Zach Collins (ankle); Joshua Primo (G League); Joe Wieskamp (G League).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Richaun Holmes (eye). OUT — Marvin Bagley III (health and safety protocols); Terence Davis (health and safety protocols); De’Aaron Fox (health and safety protocols); Louis King (health and safety protocols); Alex Len (health and safety protocols); Davion Mitchell (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 Spurs.
This story was originally published December 19, 2021 at 4:00 AM.
