Kings vs. Suns gameday: Malik Monk, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal injuries; 3 things to watch
The Kings will open a four-game homestand when they face the Phoenix Suns for the second time in four days Wednesday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Kings prevailed 127-118 in overtime when they played the Suns on Sunday at Footprint Center in Phoenix, but the victory came at a cost. Star sixth man Malik Monk went down with a moderate right ankle sprain that will keep him out for at least two weeks.
The Suns have problems of their own after losing Kevin Durant to a left calf strain. Durant will miss at least two weeks after sustaining the injury in Friday’s dramatic 114-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
In addition, the Suns are listing Bradley Beal (left calf contusion) and Grayson Allen (right hamstring soreness) as questionable for Wednesday’s game.
The Kings (6-5) are coming off a 116-96 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Their bench was outscored 37-21, underscoring the loss of production with Monk out due to injury.
The Suns (9-2) will be facing the Kings on the second night of a back-to-back after opening a four-game road trip with a 120-112 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
Here are three things to watch in Wednesday’s game.
What will Kings do without Monk?
The Kings will miss Monk’s energy, playmaking ability and the scoring punch he provides off the bench.
Keon Ellis and Jordan McLaughlin will be needed to fill the void at the guard spot. Ellis is averaging 5.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 21.1 minutes. He is shooting 33.3% from 3-point range after hitting 41.7% last season.
Ellis helped the Kings transform their defense last season when Monk and Kevin Huerter went down with season-ending injuries. They need him to step up again now.
3-point shooting
The Kings are 30th in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 30.1%. They keep thinking the shots will begin to fall, but that hasn’t happened yet.
DeMar DeRozan is shooting 40% on 2.3 attempts per game. Domantas Sabonis is shooting 37.5% on 2.2 attempts. Neither is known as a prolific 3-point shooter, but they are leading the team.
The Kings need more from Kevin Huerter (34%), Ellis (33.3%), McLaughlin (28.6%), De’Aaron Fox (28.2%), Keegan Murray (27.9%), Doug McDermott (27.8%) and Trey Lyles (24.3%).
Closing time
Fox and DeRozan were unstoppable down the stretch in Sunday’s win over the Suns.
DeRozan scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the fourth quarter to help send the game to overtime. Fox and DeRozan combined to score 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the extra session.
The Kings might need another big effort from one or both of their clutch scorers.
Suns at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -6.5
Over/under: 225.5
Injury report
Suns: Not yet submitted.
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Malik Monk (ankle); Orlando Robinson (knee).
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
This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 11:49 AM.
