DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, Domantas Sabonis injury updates for Kings vs. Clippers game
The Kings could be back to full strength soon with reinforcements expected to arrive in time for an NBA Cup in-season tournament game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis were full participants in practice Wednesday and Thursday after missing recent games due to lower back tightness. Malik Monk participated in Thursday’s practice as he nears a return from a right ankle sprain.
Kings coach Mike Brown said all three players could be cleared to return for Friday’s game, but he’s more optimistic about DeRozan and Sabonis.
“Don’t know for sure, but both those guys practiced yesterday and we had some contact yesterday,” Brown said following Thursday’s practice. “It’s looking good. Right now I can’t say 100% yes, but it’s looking really good for those guys.”
Asked if that means Monk will be out against the Clippers, Brown said: “Not definitely out, but most likely.”
The Kings (8-7) are coming off a 109-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at Golden 1 Center. They had three days off after playing 15 games over the first 26 days of the season.
“It was great,” Brown said. “It gave the guys that are hurt a couple more days to get their bodies right. It gave us an opportunity to go over some things out on the floor that we hadn’t had a chance to go over, so it was a fantastic couple of days for us. ... It just gave us an opportunity to continue to sharpen up what we’re trying to do on both sides of the ball.”
The Clippers (8-7) have won three in a row. They will be missing leading scorer Norman Powell, who is out with a strained left hamstring, and Kawhi Leonard, who has yet to suit up this season due to right knee injury recovery.
Monk has missed the past five games after spraining his ankle in a 127-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 10. DeRozan has missed the past three games. Sabonis has missed the past two games.
De’Aaron Fox did all he could to carry the team while Monk, DeRozan and Sabonis were out. He scored a franchise-record 60 points in an overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and 49 points in a win over the Utah Jazz.
The return of DeRozan, Sabonis and Monk will bolster Sacramento’s scoring, playmaking and depth. DeRozan is averaging 22.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Sabonis averages 20.2 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists. Monk averages 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
This story was originally published November 21, 2024 at 2:17 PM.
