Kings-Thunder gameday live: Surprising Oklahoma City surges; will Domantas Sabonis play?
Note: Come back to this story throughout the day for the latest news, notes and injury updates on today’s game.
The Kings are about to open a four-game homestand against a surging Oklahoma City Thunder squad and it’s not clear if star center Domantas Sabonis will be able to play.
Sabonis is one of three players and multiple team staffers who fell ill while the team was in Southern California for Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sabonis, guard Matthew Dellavedova and backup center Alex Len are all listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Thunder as they recover from non-COVID-19 illnesses.
The Kings (25-18) have won five in a row after beating the Lakers 116-111 on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena. They will face the Thunder (22-23) and Philadelphia 76ers (29-16) on Friday and Saturday at Golden 1 Center with the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies coming Monday and the Toronto Raptors coming Wednesday.
The Kings are first in the Pacific Division and tied for third in the Western Conference with odds shifting into their favor in the quest to end a 16-year playoff drought. Oklahoma City has won four in a row and six of its last seven to jump into the play-in picture.
Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making a strong case for his first All-Star appearance, averaging 30.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Josh Giddey is averaging 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Rookie Chet Holmgren hasn’t even played a game yet after being ruled out for the season as he recovers from foot surgery.
Morning shootaround
The Kings haven’t provided an official update on the status of Sabonis, Dellavedova and Len, but all three players participated in Friday’s morning shootaround. That’s an encouraging sign for Sacramento.
Illness update
Sabonis, Dellavedova and Len have all been cleared to return after participating in shootaround. Terence Davis, the latest member of the team to fall ill, is now considered questionable.
Thunder at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -4.5
Over/under: 242.5
Injury report
Thunder: OUT — Ousmane Dieng (G League); Chet Holmgren (foot); Eugene Omoruyi (G League); Aleksej Pokusevski (tibia); Jeremiah Earl-Robinson (ankle).
Kings: AVAILABLE — Matthew Dellavedova (illness); Alex Len (illness); Domantas Sabonis (illness). QUESTIONABLE — Terence Davis (illness). OUT — Keon Ellis (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Jan. 20 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Jan. 21 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Jan. 23 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Jan. 25 vs. Toronto Raptors
Jan. 28 at Minnesota Timberwolves
This story was originally published January 20, 2023 at 11:04 AM.
