Kings-Jazz gameday live: Fox says Golden 1 can be one of NBA’s best homecourt advantages
Note: Come back to this story throughout the day for the latest news, notes and injury updates on today’s game.
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox felt the roar of the Sacramento crowd when he hit a go-ahead jumper with just over a minute remaining in a dramatic 127-126 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
Fox hopes to lead the Kings to another victory when they conclude a six-game homestand against the Utah Jazz on Friday at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings (18-15) have posted six consecutive home sellouts dating back to a Nov. 30 game against the Indiana Pacers. They lost three of four to start the current homestand, but they have a chance to finish 3-3 before going on the road to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
The Jazz (19-18) is coming off back-to-back losses to the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors.
The Kings are seventh in the Western Conference. They are 10-7 at home and 8-8 on the road. Fox believes they could reestablish what was once one of the best homecourt advantages in the NBA.
“We have a crowd that’s going to show up night in and night out,” Fox said. “It’s funny because the new guys, this is kind of their first glimpse of this, whereas I’ve been here for some years, so I’ve seen the good, the bad, but every night this year, it’s been fantastic for us, and, honestly, we want to have a better record at home than we do.
“Obviously, on the road, I think we’re .500, so if you can go .500 for the year on the road, that’s great, that’s a big positive. But for us, we have to be better at home, especially knowing the type of fans that we have. This should be one of the best homecourt advantages in, truthfully, all of sports.”
Latest on Sabonis
Kings center Domantas Sabonis was not listed on the team’s injury report Thursday.
Sabonis returned to the lineup in Wednesday’s victory over the Nuggets after missing one game with an avulsion fracture of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb. Sabonis finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, posting his 11th consecutive double-double.
Sabonis told The Sacramento Bee the possibility of surgery has not been ruled out, but he is hoping to play through the injury.
Lyles questionable
The Kings are listing forward Trey Lyles as questionable for Friday’s game against the Jazz due to a right calf contusion. Lyles is averaging 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds this season. He had five points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals in Wednesday’s win over the Nuggets.
Jazz at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -3.0
Over/under: 239.5
Injury report
Jazz: OUT — Johnny Juzang (G League); Micah Potter (G League).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Trey Lyles (calf). OUT — Keon Ellis (G League); Chima Moneke (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 30 vs. Utah Jazz
Jan. 1 at Memphis Grizzlies
Jan. 3 at Utah Jazz
Jan. 4 vs. Atlanta Hawks
Jan. 7 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
