Kings-Lakers gameday live: Backup center search continues; LeBron James, Malik Monk status
Note: Come back to this story throughout the day for the latest news, notes and injury updates on today’s game.
Kings coach Mike Brown has tried everyone and every thing to fill the backup center role behind Domantas Sabonis, but he’s still searching for the right solution.
Brown has experimented with Richaun Holmes, Alex Len and Neemias Queta. Brown has also tried Chimezie Metu and Trey Lyles in small-ball lineups, but the Kings are still looking for answers as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings (20-17) are coming off a 120-117 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. They are fifth in the Western Conference as they enter the second game of a five-game homestand. Malik Monk is questionable due to lower left leg soreness.
The Lakers (18-21) will be on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Hawks 130-114 on Friday at Crypto.com Arena. They are 12th in the West but coming on strong after winning four in a row and five of six despite the absence of Anthony Davis, who has been out since Dec. 17 with a foot injury.
The Lakers probably won’t submit an injury report for their game against the Kings until Saturday afternoon. LeBron James scored 25 points against the Hawks after being listed as probable with left ankle soreness. Russell Westbrook (left foot soreness) appeared on the injury report as well, but he came off the bench to post 18 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
The Kings, who are leading the Pacific Division, beat the Lakers 120-114 on Nov. 11 in Los Angeles and 134-120 on Dec. 21 in Sacramento. Metu came off the bench behind Sabonis to post 10 points and five rebounds in 16 minutes in the first game against the Lakers. Queta had 10 points and three rebounds in 11 minutes in the second game.
Everyone Brown has tried in the backup center role has had their moments for the Kings, but no one has solidified himself in that role. In Wednesday’s game against the Hawks, Brown used Holmes in the first half and Lyles in the second half. Holmes had two rebounds in five minutes. Lyles had two points, five rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes.
“We just haven’t been able to find ways to score,” Brown said. “And Rich has been doing some of the little things that we’re asking him to do, but just collectively, as a group, we haven’t been able to put the ball in the basket and we haven’t rebounded and we haven’t been able to get any stops. That’s not a good combination. And, so, we just wanted to change it up to see if having Trey at the five as a stretch-five can disrupt Atlanta’s defense a little bit with his ability to pick-and-pop.
“Now, they have a hard closeout, or maybe Trey knocks down a 3 and we get moving a little bit in that regard. We were able to get some stops. We were able to put some points on the board and we cut the lead a little bit because of the different look that we gave them. So, that’s all it was, just trying to generate something offensively, because not just tonight, but even (in Tuesday’s 117-115 victory over the Utah Jazz), we couldn’t generate much with that second group.”
LeBron questionable
The Lakers are listing James (ankle) and Troy Brown Jr. (quad) as questionable against the Kings.
Damian Jones (toe) and Westbrook (foot) are probable. Davis (foot), Austin Reaves (hamstring) and Lonnie Walker IV (knee) are out.
Monk ruled out
Brown said Monk will not play against the Lakers. Brown explained that it was his decision to sit Monk, saying he’s “a little banged up right now.”
Monk is averaging a career-high 14.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists this season. Terence Davis will likely fill his role in the rotation.
Game-time decision
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said James’ status will be a game-time decision. James will go through pregame warmups to see how he feels on the second night of a back-to-back.
Lakers at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -8.5
Over/under: 242
Injury report
Lakers: PROBABLE — Damian Jones (toe); Westbrook (foot). QUESTIONABLE — Troy Brown Jr. (quad); LeBron James (ankle). OUT — Anthony Davis (foot); Austin Reaves (hamstring); Lonnie Walker IV (knee).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Malik Monk (leg). OUT — Keon Ellis (G League); Neemias Queta (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Jan. 7 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Jan. 9 vs. Orlando Magic
Jan. 11 vs. Houston Rockets
Jan. 13 vs. Houston Rockets
Jan. 15 at San Antonio Spurs
This story was originally published January 7, 2023 at 4:00 AM.
