Kings get MRI results on Kevin Huerter’s leg injury. Here’s what we know about his status
The Kings got some good news Friday regarding Kevin Huerter’s right leg injury.
Huerter underwent an MRI in Washington, D.C., after going down with the injury in Thursday’s 101-96 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The MRI revealed a mild strain of the popliteus muscle, but no hamstring injury, as previously believed, the team said.
The popliteus is a small triangular-shaped muscle at the back of the knee. It plays an important role in unlocking the knee as it bends, protecting the lateral meniscus and providing stability to the knee.
The Kings said Huerter’s status is considered day-to-day. He was listed as questionable as the Kings (42-27) prepared to play the Washington Wizards (32-37) on Saturday at Capital One Arena. Huerter did not participate in Saturday’s morning shootaround and was ruled out hours before the game.
Huerter has been a big part of Sacramento’s success since being acquired last summer in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
The 24-year-old shooting guard is averaging a career-high 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Kings, who have gone 10-2 since the All-Star break to overtake the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Huerter is shooting 48.7% from the field and 40.8% from 3-point range. He has been at his best in March, averaging 17.3 points while hitting 56.6% from beyond the arc.
Huerter sustained the hamstring with 5:50 to play in the first quarter of Thursday’s game at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. He went straight to the locker room for treatment from the team’s medical staff and did not return.
Terence Davis started in place of Huerter in the second half, but most of the minutes went to Malik Monk and Kessler Edwards. Monk had 12 points, five rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes. Edwards, facing his former team for the first time since Brooklyn traded him to Sacramento, added 10 points and three rebounds in 24 minutes.
This story was originally published March 17, 2023 at 10:16 AM.
