Kings vs. Suns gameday: Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic injury updates and 3 things to watch
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the best teams in the NBA over the first two weeks of the season, but they won’t be at full strength when they face the Kings on Sunday at Footprint Center.
Kevin Durant, a 14-time All-Star and former MVP, has been ruled out for Sunday’s game after suffering a left calf strain in Friday’s 114-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Jusuf Nurkic, a 7-foot center with an imposing 290-pound frame, is questionable due to left ankle soreness.
The Suns were listed as 4 ½-point favorites against the Kings before Durant was ruled out, but the line quickly dropped to 2 ½ points after the injury was reported. The Suns said Durant will be reevaluated in two weeks, which means he will also miss Wednesday’s game against the Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Kings (5-4) suffered a 107-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. They had won two in a row and five of six before poor 3-point shooting finally caught up to them in the loss to the Clippers.
The Suns (8-1) have won seven in a row with victories over the Mavericks (2), Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat.
Here are three things to watch in Sunday’s game.
Who replaces KD?
Durant is an 11-time All-NBA selection who has won two NBA championships and two NBA Finals MVP awards.
The 36-year-old forward is averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 blocks while shooting 55.3% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range. No one can fill Durant’s size 18 shoes, but coach Mike Budenholzer will likely turn to rookie Ryan Dunn.
Dunn is listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain, but according to The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin, Budenholzer said Dunn is expected to play after fully participating in Saturday’s practice. Dunn, a 6-8 forward from Virginia, is averaging 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists.
Dunn has started two games this season and played well in both contests. He had 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting in a win over the Mavericks on Oct. 26. He had 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting in a win over the Clippers on Oct. 31.
Scouting the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento’s offense has been good despite the team’s 3-point shooting struggles.
The Kings are No. 1 in the NBA in free-throw shooting (.845), No. 5 in field-goal percentage (.483), No. 6 in true shooting percentage (.590), No. 7 in points per game (116.4) and No. 8 in offensive rating (115.5). They have struggled from long distance, ranking 29th in 3-point shooting (.298) after going 3 of 26 from beyond the arc in Friday’s loss to the Clippers.
Defensively, the Kings rank 11th in opponent field-goal percentage (.459), 12th in defensive rating (111.3), 15th in opponent points per game (113.1) and 17th in opponent 3-point percentage (.363).
De’Aaron Fox is averaging 24.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.9 steals. DeMar DeRozan averages 24.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Domantas Sabonis averages 20.6 points, 13.0 rebounds and 7.1 assists, ranking second in the NBA in rebounding and 11th in assists.
Keegan Murray (14.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg), Malik Monk (13.6 ppg) and Kevin Huerter (10.4 ppg) are also scoring in double figures for Sacramento.
Scouting the Phoenix Suns
The Suns are seventh in the NBA in 3-point shooting (.383), 11th in offensive rating (114.1) and 13th in points per game (114.4). They are third in opponent field-goal percentage (.434), 10th in defensive rating (110.9), 13th in opponent points per game (110.9) and 21st in opponent 3-point percentage (.365).
With Durant out, Devin Booker will have to carry more of the scoring load for Phoenix. Booker is averaging 23.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists, but he is shooting just 42.9% from the field and 32.4% from 3-point range.
Bradley Beal averages 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.4 steals. Nurkic is averaging 11.0 points and 10.6 rebounds. Royce O’Neale averages 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds. Tyus Jones averages 9.8 points and 6.6 assists.
Kings at Suns
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Footprint Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Suns -2.5
Over/under: 229.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League); Orlando Robinson (knee).
Suns: PROBABLE — Ryan Dunn (ankle). QUESTIONABLE — Jusuf Nurkic (ankle). OUT — Jalen Bridges (G League); Kevin Durant (calf); Collin Gillespie (ankle); TyTy Washington (G League).
Sacramento Kings schedule
Nov. 10 at Phoenix Suns
Nov. 11 at San Antonio Spurs
Nov. 13 vs. Phoenix Suns
Nov. 15 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Nov. 16 vs. Utah Jazz
