Kings vs. Spurs gameday: DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Huerter injury news and 3 things to watch
The Kings hope to get one of their best players back when they face the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
DeMar DeRozan has missed the past two games with lower back muscle inflammation. The six-time All-Star is listed as probable on the team’s injury report, but Kevin Huerter is doubtful after spraining his right ankle in Friday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Spurs are missing Jeremy Sochan, who has been out since early November after undergoing left thumb surgery.
The Kings (9-11) have lost five of six and eight of their last 12 after going 5-3 to start the season. They have been besieged by injuries in recent weeks with DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, Huerter and Trey Lyles all missing time.
The Spurs (10-9) won four in a row before suffering a 119-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The win streak included impressive wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors.
Here are three things to watch in Sunday’s game.
Malik Monk heating up
Monk recently came back after missing seven games with a right ankle sprain. He was held to 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting in his return against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, but he has found a rhythm over the past two games.
Monk had 27 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and one steal in Wednesday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had 29 points, three rebounds, nine assists and two blocked shots in Friday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. He went 21 of 36 from the field and 11 of 18 from 3-point range in those two games, shooting 58.3% overall and 61.1% from beyond the arc.
Can Kings contain Wembanyama?
Wembanyama had his way with the Kings in a 116-96 victory over Sacramento on Nov. 11 in San Antonio. The 7-foot-3 French phenom put up 34 points with 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots, going 13 of 22 from the field and 6 of 12 from 3-point range.
Wembanyama went off for a career-high 50 points in a win over the Washington Wizards two nights later. Over the past six games, Wembanyama has made 30 of 77 from 3-point range, shooting 39% on 12.8 attempts per game.
Sacramento’s free-throw shooting
Sacramento was No. 1 in the NBA in free-throw shooting at 83.8% in mid-November, a remarkable turnaround for a team that finished 30th at 74.5% last season.
The Kings are still seventh in the NBA at 79.7%, but they haven’t been nearly as good recently. Over the past five games, they ranked 28th at 71.1%.
Fox is shooting a career-high 80.3% on 6.9 attempts per game, but he went 27 of 38 (.710) over the past five games. DeRozan is shooting 82% on 6.6 attempts per game, but he went 19 of 28 (.679) in his past four games.
Spurs at Kings
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -5.5
Over/under: 224.5
Injury report
Spurs: OUT — David Duke Jr. (G League); Harrison Ingram (G League); Riley Minix (G League); Jeremy Sochan (thumb).
Kings: PROBABLE — DeMar DeRozan (back). DOUBTFUL — Kevin Huerter (ankle). OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League); Trey Lyles (calf).
