Kings gameday live: De’Aaron Fox is questionable; Lillard, McCollum, Nance out for Blazers
Both teams will be missing key starters when the Kings visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at Moda Center. That might even include De’Aaron Fox.
The Kings (16-25) are listing Fox as questionable due to right shoulder soreness. Maurice Harkless is questionable because of right ankle soreness. Richaun Holmes are Chimezie Metu are still out due to NBA health and safety protocols.
The Blazers (14-24) will be without Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Larry Nance Jr. Lillard has missed the past three games with an abdominal injury. McCollum has been out since Dec. 6 with pneumothorax of his right lung. Nance is expected to miss his second game with right knee inflammation.
The Kings have lost three in a row and four of their last five, but they are just a half-game behind the San Antonio Spurs for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. The Kings are a half-game ahead of the Blazers, who have lost six of their last seven.
Metu clears protocols
Metu has cleared NBA health and safety protocols, but he is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Blazers due to return to competition reconditioning. Metu has missed the past three games.
Jones enters protocols
Kings center Damian Jones has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Blazers after entering NBA health and safety protocols.
Jones has started the past four games with Holmes out of the lineup. He is averaging 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Moda Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
Odds: Kings -1.5
Over/under: 224
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — De’Aaron Fox (shoulder); Maurice Harkless (ankle). OUT — Richaun Holmes (health and safety protocols); Chimezie Metu (health and safety protocols); Louis King (G League).
Blazers: OUT — Damian Lillard (abdomen); CJ McCollum (lung); Larry Nance Jr. (knee).
This story was originally published January 9, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
