Kings vs. Trail Blazers gameday: 3 things to look for, how to watch, odds, injury reports
The Kings are still looking for their first preseason win as they prepare to face the Portland Trail Blazers in a matinee affair at 3 p.m. Sunday at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings (0-2) are coming off two losses to the Golden State Warriors after falling 122-112 on Wednesday in Sacramento and 109-106 on Friday at Chase Center in San Francisco.
The Blazers (0-1) suffered a 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in their preseason opener Friday in Seattle.
Both teams are dealing with injuries to key players. The Kings are missing Kevin Huerter (shoulder), Trey Lyles (groin), Orlando Robinson (knee) and Devin Carter (shoulder). Huerter was cleared for full-contact court activities Friday and will progress through the final stages of return-to-play protocol after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.
In addition, Malik Monk missed the second half of Wednesday’s game and Friday’s game due to personal reasons. A league source told The Sacramento Bee that Monk will be available for Sunday’s game.
Jordan McLaughlin, who has been out with an ankle injury, is no longer on the injury report.
The Blazers are missing guard Shaedon Sharpe and center Robert Williams III. The Blazers announced on Oct. 5 that Sharpe will miss four to six weeks with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Williams, who was acquired a year ago in the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics, is out with a strained left hamstring. Williams played only six games last season before undergoing season-ending surgery.
Here are three things to watch in Sunday’s game.
Murray Bros.
Kings forward Keegan Murray will go head-to-head with Blazers forward in a fun battle between twin brothers.
The Kings selected Keegan Murray with the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.8 steals last season. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 2023 after breaking the rookie record with 206 3-point goals.
The Blazers chose Kris Murray with the 24th overall pick in the 2023 draft. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals last season as a rookie last season. He started in Friday’s game against the Clippers, finishing with nine points on 4-of-7 shooting with four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in 27 minutes.
Scoot’s struggles
Blazers guard Scoot Henderson is still trying to find his footing in the NBA as he enters his second season.
Portland picked Henderson with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft behind Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller. Henderson averaged 14.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists last season, but he shot just 38.5% from the field and 32.5% from 3-point range while committing 3.4 turnovers in 28.5 minutes per game.
Henderson struggled in Friday’s preseason opener against the Clippers. He had 13 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field and 1-of-6 shooting from 3-point range with four rebounds, three assists and seven turnovers.
How to watch
Wednesday’s game was featured on ESPN and Friday’s game was on NBA TV, but Sunday’s game won’t be televised.
Fans can stream the game at Kings.com/live or tune into Sactown Sports 1140 to listen to the great Gary Gerould, who is entering his 40th season as the radio voice of the Kings.
Trail Blazers at Kings
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: None
How to watch: Kings.com
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -5.5
Over/under: 217.5
Injury report
Blazers: QUESTIONABLE — Matisse Thybulle (knee); Anfernee Simons (ankle). OUT — Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder); Robert Williams III (hamstring).
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder), Kevin Huerter (shoulder), Trey Lyles (groin), Orlando Robinson (knee).
Upcoming preseason schedule
Oct. 13 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Oct. 15 at Utah Jazz
Oct. 17 at Los Angeles Clippers
This story was originally published October 13, 2024 at 3:11 AM.
