Kings vs. Nuggets gameday: Kevin Huerter, Jamal Murray injury news and 3 things to watch
The Kings will have to go through three-time MVP Nikola Jokic if they want to keep their winning streak alive when they open a five-game homestand against the Denver Nuggets on Monday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Both teams have key players listed on the injury report. Kevin Huerter, initially listed as doubtful, has been ruled out for the Kings due to a left shoulder AC joint sprain. Keegan Murray is questionable due to left ankle soreness. Jamal Murray (right hamstring inflammation) is probable and Christian Braun (low back strain) is questionable for the Nuggets.
The Kings (13-13) have won three in a row and four of their last five. They are tied for 11th in the Western Conference with the San Antonio Spurs, one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers for the final play-in spots.
The Nuggets (13-10) are coming off back-to-back wins over the Atlanta Hawks and Clippers. They are tied for fifth in the West with the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors.
Here are three things to watch in Monday’s game.
Western Conference standings
The Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks have created some separation as the top four teams in the West.
The next eight teams are so tightly bunched that the Kings and Spurs — currently out of play-in position — are only 1 ½ games behind the Nuggets, Suns, Timberwolves and Warriors for the No. 5 seed.
The Kings have a chance to get right back into the playoff race if they can keep stringing wins together. They will play nine of their next 11 games at home over the next three weeks with only two quick trips to play the Lakers and Warriors.
Jokic leads MVP race
Jokic is the reigning NBA MVP. He is currently favored to win the award for the fourth time in five seasons after capturing it in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
Jokic is averaging 31.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.8 steals. He is shooting 56.4% from the field and a career-high 51.2% from 3-point range on 4.3 attempts per game.
Jokic had 56 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists in Saturday’s 122-113 loss to the Washington Wizards. He followed up with 48 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists the next night in a 141-111 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Sacramento surge
The Kings have won four of their last five games with Malik Monk in the starting lineup alongside De’Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis.
Over that stretch, they are No. 1 in the NBA in offensive rating (124.4), No. 3 in scoring (124.4 ppg), No. 6 in field-goal percentage (.490) and No. 6 in 3-point percentage (.398). Over that same span, they are No. 8 in defensive rating (108.6), No. 9 in opponent field-goal percentage (.460), No. 11 in opponent 3-point percentage (.355) and No. 16 in opponent points per game (113.0).
Nuggets at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Nuggets -1.5
Over/under: 238.5
Injury report
Pelicans: PROBABLE — Jamal Murray (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE — Christian Braun (back). OUT — Trey Alexander (G League); Vlatko Cancar (knee); PJ Hall (G League); DaRon Holmes II (Achilles); Spencer Jones (G League); Dario Saric (ankle).
Kings: DOUBTFUL — Kevin Huerter (shoulder). OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Trey Lyles (calf).
This story was originally published December 16, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
