Kings gameday live: Will Fox, Davis return from COVID-19 protocols Sunday vs. Grizzlies?
Terence Davis, Marvin Bagley III and Louis King will be back in uniform when the Kings play host to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday at Golden 1 Center. De’Aaron Fox could be back as well.
All four players have missed the past four games due to NBA health and safety protocols. Sources told The Sacramento Bee that Davis, Bagley and King were cleared to return Saturday. Fox was listed as questionable on the injury report for Sunday’s game, indicating he is also progressing toward a possible return.
Interim coach Alvin Gentry will be back on the sideline for the Kings after missing the past five games. Gentry tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 15, marking the start of the biggest outbreak the Kings have experienced since the start of the pandemic.
The Kings (13-20) will still be without Davion Mitchell, Alex Len and Neemias Queta, each of whom remain in health and safety protocols. Mitchell and Len have missed four games since entering protocols. Queta has missed one game.
The Grizzlies (19-14) have lost three in a row to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors. Ja Morant returned for the Oklahoma City and Golden State games after missing nearly three weeks due to a knee injury and health and safety protocols.
The Grizzlies signed guards Tyrell Terry and Shaq Buchanan to 10-day contracts Saturday under hardship exemptions. Jarrett Culver and Ziaire Williams are out due to health and safety protocols. Sam Merrill (ankle), Brandon Clarke (knee), Santi Aldana (calf) are also out.
Sacramento is 0-2 against Memphis this season. The Grizzlies beat the Kings 128-101 in Memphis on Nov. 28 and 124-105 in Sacramento on Dec. 17.
Fox is back
During his pregame news conference, Gentry said Fox has been cleared to return for Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies.
Gentry said he will start Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes, Chimezie Metu and Richaun Holmes. Gentry said the team will watch Fox, Davis and Bagley closely, but they will have no minutes restrictions.
“It’s all systems go,” Gentry said. “They don’t have any limitations.”
Grizzlies ruled out
The Grizzlies have announced Dillon Brooks, De’Anthony Melton and Yves Pons have been ruled out for Sunday’s game. All three have entered health and safety protocols.
Brooks is second on the team in scoring at 19.3 points per game. Melton is a key rotation player who averages 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
Memphis Grizzlies at Sacramento Kings
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
Odds: Grizzlies -5.0
Over/under: 224.5
Injury report
Grizzlies: QUESTIONABLE — Brandon Clarke (knee). OUT — Santi Aldama (ankle); Jarrett Culver (health and safety protocols); Sam Merrill (ankle); Ziaire Williams (health and safety protocols).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — De’Aaron Fox (health and safety protocols). OUT — Alex Len (health and safety protocols); Davion Mitchell (health and safety protocols); Neemias Queta (health and safety protocols).
This story was originally published December 26, 2021 at 4:00 AM.
