Gameday live: Where Kings rank among preseason NBA leaders going into Phoenix Suns game
Kings fans love what they’ve seen in two preseason games under coach Mike Brown, but they still might be surprised to learn where their team ranks among the NBA’s preseason leaders in numerous categories.
The Kings are No. 1 in defensive rating and No. 5 in offensive rating after opening preseason play with a 105-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and a 126-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Winning preseason games won’t get the Kings back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, but they have to start somewhere.
For the most part, Brown likes what he has seen, too, but he still believes there are things the Kings can do better as they head into Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center.
“Yeah, there’s a lot,” Brown said following Sunday’s win over the Blazers. “Portland, they know they didn’t play their best game. Chauncey (Billups) is a great coach and that’s a really good team down there with a Hall of Famer in Dame Lillard, but there’s some areas we can still grow in.”
Billups talked about how the Kings “attacked” his team at both ends of the floor, saying they were more physical offensively and defensively. The preseason statistics show just how good Sacramento has been.
The Kings rank second in assists (29.5), third in turnovers (13.5), fourth in 3-point goals (15.0), fifth in 3-point attempts (42.0), ninth in 3-point percentage (.357), and 12th in scoring (115.5 ppg) and field-goal percentage (.453).
The Kings have been even better defensively, an area where they have struggled so much in recent years. They are No. 1 in opponent points per game (84.5) and field-goal percentage (.356); No. 2 in steals (12.5); No. 3 in blocks (7.5), opponent offensive rebounds (7.0) and opponent rebounds (39.0); and No. 4 in opponent 3-point percentage (.288).
These are encouraging numbers for a team that is trying to end an NBA-record 16-year playoff drought, but Brown still points to the problem areas. The Kings rank 27th in free-throw attempts (21.0), 30th in free-throw shooting (.643) and 30th in fouls (29.0).
Brown was asked what he is looking for in Wednesday’s game against the Suns.
“Same stuff,” he said. “We want to compete over all. Offensively, again, it’s paint touches, ball reversals … all those little things. And the same defensively. We want to see guys communicate. Don’t give up middle. No blow-bys. Multiple efforts to finish plays. Being physical without fouling. Both games, we’ve kind of fouled a lot. So, just our same staples on both sides of the ball. That won’t change.”
Injury status
Rookie forward Keegan Murray and center Richaun Holmes are considered questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Suns. Both players are suffering from non-COVID-19 illnesses.
Murray did not participate in Tuesday morning’s practice and was not expected to travel with the team to Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon. Brown said Murray would be reevaluated Tuesday evening and against Wednesday before a final determination is made.
Murray led the Kings in scoring with 16 points in wins over the Lakers and Blazers. He is shooting a sizzling 70.6% (12 of 17) from the field and 70% (7 of 10) from 3-point range.
Holmes had 10 points and five rebounds against the Lakers before missing three days of practice and Sunday’s game against the Blazers due to a stomach ailment. He returned to practice Tuesday but left before the session ended, saying he didn’t feel well.
Injury update
The Kings confirmed Murray and Holmes have been ruled out due to illness. Everybody else is available for Sacramento.
That is not the case for Phoenix. During his pregame news conference, Suns coach Monty Williams announced Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges will sit this one out. Landry Shamet (hip), Cameron Payne (finger), Cameron Johnson (thumb), Dario Saric (personal reasons) and Jae Crowder (not with team) had already been ruled out.
Kings at Suns
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Footprint Center
TV: None
Online: Kings.com (within 75 miles of Sacramento)
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Richaun Holmes (non-COVID illness); Keegan Murray (non-COVID ilness).
Suns: PROBABLE — Josh Okogie (hamstring). OUT — Landry Shamet (left hip strain); Cameron Payne (right finger sprain); Cameron Johnson (right thumb sprain); Dario Saric (personal reasons); Jae Crowder (not with team); Chris Paul (rest); Devin Booker (rest); Deandre Ayton (rest); Mikal Bridges (rest).
Kings preseason schedule/results
Kings 105, Lakers 75
Kings 126, Trail Blazers 94
10/12 at Phoenix Suns
10/14 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This story was originally published October 12, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
