Kings vs. Spurs gameday: Will Victor Wembanyama be out due to injury? 3 things to watch
The Kings have already lost to the San Antonio Spurs twice this season, but there could be one less obstacle in their way this time.
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama missed Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls due to a back injury. Wembanyama is doubtful and Devin Vassell (foot) has been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
Both teams will be on the second night of a back-to-back. The Kings suffered a 115-110 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. The Spurs lost a 139-124 shootout against the Bulls.
The Kings (10-13) are 12th in the Western Conference, 1 ½ games behind the Spurs and two games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the final play-in spot. They beat the Houston Rockets on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center to earn their most impressive victory of the season, but they’ve lost seven of nine and 10 of 15.
The Spurs (11-11) are 11th in the West, a half-game behind Minnesota. They have lost three of their last four, the only win coming against the Kings. The Spurs beat the Kings 116-96 on Nov. 11 in San Antonio and 127-125 on Sunday in Sacramento.
Wembanyama’s injury
The Spurs are describing Wembanyama’s injury as bilateral lower back soreness. They won’t submit an injury report until Friday afternoon because they played Thursday, but the team has already said Wembanyama will likely be out against the Kings.
The 7-foot-3 French phenom is averaging 23.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.4 blocks and 1.3 steals after winning Rookie of the Year last season. Wembanyama posted 34 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in San Antonio’s first win over Sacramento. He had 34 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and three blocked shots in the second win over the Kings.
Sacramento’s bench
Sacramento’s lack of depth has been exasperated with Malik Monk moving into the starting lineup and Trey Lyles out due to a calf injury. The Kings were outscored 45-22, 32-25 and 60-15 in points off the bench in their past three games.
Kings coach Mike Brown is using some combination of Kevin Huerter, Isaac Jones, Keon Ellis, Jae Crowder, Jordan McLaughlin and Colby Jones off the bench, but he has tightened his rotation recently. Ellis did not play against the Rockets on Tuesday and logged only two minutes against the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Ellis, one of the team’s top defenders, has started four games and played at least 14 minutes in 18 of the first 20 games. He is averaging 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field and 44.1% from 3-point range.
We want the Monk
Monk has been on a tear since returning from an ankle injury.
Over the past five games, he has averaged 23.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 8.2 assists while making 41 of 77 (.532) field-goal attempts and 24 of 47 (.511) from 3-point range. Monk’s pick-and-roll game with Domantas Sabonis could be a big factor against the Spurs if Wembanyama is out.
Kings at Spurs
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Frost Bank Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -3.5
Over/under: 227.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Trey Lyles (calf).
Spurs: DOUBTFUL — Victor Wembanyama (back). OUT — David Duke Jr. (G League); Harrison Ingram (G League); Tre Jones (shoulder); Riley Minix (G League); Devin Vassell (foot).
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
