Kings-Suns gameday live: Sacramento can strengthen position in West on Separation Saturday
This might be remembered as Separation Saturday in Sacramento if all goes well for the Kings.
They have a chance to strengthen their position in the Western Conference playoff race when they visit the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. They also have an opportunity to pad their lead over some of their closest competitors.
The Los Angeles Clippers will play the New York Knicks, the Memphis Grizzlies will play the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors will face the Milwaukee Bucks — all before the Kings and Suns get underway in Phoenix.
The Kings (39-26) and Grizzlies (39-26) are tied for second in the West, but the Kings hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their conference record. The Suns (37-29) are 2 ½ games back followed by the Clippers (35-33), Mavericks (34-33) and Warriors (34-33).
The Kings have a chance to separate themselves from the pack with a win over the Suns. Sacramento has gone 7-1 since the All-Star break to move 13 games over .500 for the first time this season. The Kings are coming off a 122-117 victory over the Knicks, who could do Sacramento a favor with a win over the Clippers.
The Suns have won four in a row, but they lost newly acquired star Kevin Durant when he went down with a sprained left ankle during warmups before Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Suns announced Durant will be reevaluated in three weeks, meaning he will miss Saturday’s game against the Kings and a March 24 rematch in Sacramento.
The Suns will also be missing guard Landry Shamet, who has been ruled out due to right foot soreness.
The Mavericks-Grizzlies game has obvious implications for the Kings. Both teams will be shorthanded. Steven Adams (knee), Brandon Clarke (Achilles) and Ja Morant (not with team) are out for Memphis. Luka Doncic (thigh) is out and Kyrie Irving (foot) is questionable for Dallas.
Kings at Suns
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Footprint Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Suns -3.5
Over/under: 240.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Keon Ellis (G League); Neemias Queta (G League).
Suns: OUT – Kevin Durant (ankle); Landry Shamet (foot).
Upcoming schedule
March 11 at Phoenix Suns
March 13 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
March 15 at Chicago Bulls
March 16 at Brooklyn Nets
March 18 at Washington Wizards
This story was originally published March 11, 2023 at 4:00 AM.
