Kings vs. Timberwolves gameday: DeMar DeRozan injury update, NBA Cup and 3 things to watch
The Kings will be missing another key player when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first NBA Cup tournament game Friday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
DeMar DeRozan was considered doubtful and has now been ruled out after leaving Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns due to lower back tightness. The Kings are already missing Malik Monk, who is out with a right ankle sprain.
The Kings (7-5) are coming off a 127-104 victory over the Suns. They snapped out of their 3-point shooting slump, going 15 of 28 (53.6%) from beyond the arc after ranking 30th in the NBA at 30.1% over the first 11 games.
The Timberwolves (6-6) have lost three in a row. They fell to the Miami Heat on Sunday before dropping a back-to-back set against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This will be the first of four NBA Cup group stage games for the Kings in West Group A. The Kings and Timberwolves are grouped with the Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers.
Here are three things to watch in Friday’s game.
Shorthanded Kings
Sacramento’s playmaking, scoring and depth will be tested with Monk and DeRozan out.
The Kings will rely on De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis to orchestrate the offense with Keon Ellis and Jordan McLaughlin providing support off the bench.
The Kings are No. 1 in the NBA in free-throw shooting (.838) and No. 4 in field-goal percentage (.491). They are No. 7 in scoring (116.5 ppg) and No. 8 in offensive rating (115.3) despite ranking 29th in 3-point shooting (.318).
Sacramento is fifth in opponent field-goal percentage (.450), 12th in defensive rating (111.1), 14th in opponent points per game (112.5) and 23rd in opponent 3-point shooting (.370).
Scouting the Timberwolves
Minnesota is led by Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid.
Edwards averages 27.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Randle is averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Reid averages 15.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. Gobert is putting up 10.8 points and 10.4 rebounds.
The Timberwolves are No. 7 in 3-point shooting (.375), No. 10 in field-goal percentage (.473), No. 13 in offensive rating (113.0) and No. 16 in scoring (112.0 ppg). They are 26th in turnovers, averaging 16.8 per game.
Defensively, Minnesota ranks sixth in opponent points per game (109.3), eighth in opponent 3-point shooting (.344), ninth in defensive rating (110.2) and 15th in opponent field-goal percentage (.465).
3-point shooting
This game could be decided by 3-point shooting.
The Kings finally found a rhythm in Wednesday’s win over the Suns. They shot 53.6% from long distance with Fox facilitating the drive-and-kick game to create catch-and-shoot opportunities.
The Timberwolves are fifth in the NBA in 3-point goals (15.3), sixth in 3-point attempts (40.9) and seventh in 3-point shooting (.375). They have also done a good job of defending the 3-point line, holding opponents to 34.4% shooting.
Timberwolves at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Timberwolves -1.5
Over/under: 223.5
Injury report
Timberwolves: OUT — Jaylen Clark (G League); Jesse Edwards (G League); Leonard Miller (G League); Daishen Nix (G League.
Kings: DOUBTFUL — DeMar DeRozan (back). OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Malik Monk (ankle); Orlando Robinson (knee).
Sacramento Kings schedule
Nov. 15 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Nov. 16 vs. Utah Jazz
Nov. 18 vs. Atlanta Hawks
Nov. 22 at Los Angeles Clippers
Nov. 24 vs. Brooklyn Nets
This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
