Kings-Knicks gameday live: De’Aaron Fox, Jalen Brunson injury news; latest on playoff race
The status of two All-Star point guards and the growing intensity of the NBA playoff race will be focal points as the Kings play host to the New York Knicks in a nationally televised game on TNT.
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox is expected to be back in the lineup when the Kings play the Knicks on Thursday at Golden 1 Center. Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson is questionable due to left foot soreness.
Fox missed Monday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans with left hamstring soreness, but he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and was not listed on the team’s injury report. Fox is averaging 25.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists.
Brunson missed New York’s last two games because of the foot injury. He is averaging 23.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists in his first season with the Knicks.
The Kings (38-26) have won six of their last seven games to seize control of the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The Knicks (39-28) won nine in a row before suffering a 112-105 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. They are fifth in the East.
The Kings and Grizzlies are tied for second in the West. The Kings hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their conference record, which is 5 ½ games better than the Grizzlies.
Memphis announced Wednesday star point guard Ja Morant will remain away from the team for at least four more games after brandishing what appeared to be a firearm in an Instagram Live video. Police in Glendale, Colorado closed their investigation into the incident, saying: “There was not enough available evidence to charge anyone with a crime.”
The Phoenix Suns beat the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday to move within two games of the Kings and Grizzlies for second in the West, but Kevin Durant did not make his home debut as anticipated. Durant went down with a sprained ankle during pregame warmups. His status is uncertain as the Suns get ready for their showdown with the Kings on Saturday in Phoenix.
The Kings are 0-2 against the Suns this season. Sacramento still has a chance to split the season series with two games remaining against Phoenix.
The Dallas Mavericks suffered a 113-106 loss to the Pelicans on Wednesday and fell into a tie with the Minnesota Timberwolves for seventh in the West. They also lost Luka Doncic, who is expected to undergo an MRI after leaving the game with a left thigh strain.
The Mavericks will play some pivotal games in the Western Conference playoff race over the next two weeks, including three games against the Grizzlies, one against the Los Angeles Lakers and one against the Golden State Warriors.
Knicks at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: TNT
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -4.0
Over/under: TBD
Injury report
Clippers: QUESTIONABLE — Jalen Brunson (foot). OUT — Moses Brown (G League); DaQuan Jeffries (G League); Duane Washington Jr. (G League).
Kings: OUT — Keon Ellis (G League); Neemias Queta (G League).
Upcoming schedule
March 9 vs. New York Knicks
March 11 at Phoenix Suns
March 13 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
March 15 at Chicago Bulls
March 16 at Brooklyn Nets
