Kings vs. Lakers gameday: LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis injury updates; 3 things to watch
The Kings could be back at full strength or severely shorthanded when they play the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Trey Lyles is expected to return after missing the past nine games with a calf strain, but Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter are considered questionable.
Sabonis has a back contusion after taking a hard fall in Monday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets. Murray (left ankle soreness) and Huerter (left shoulder AC joint sprain) both missed Monday’s game.
The Lakers are listing Anthony Davis (left plantar fasciitis) as probable. LeBron James (left foot injury management) is questionable.
The Kings (13-14) are 12th in the Western Conference, 1 ½ games behind the Lakers for the final play-in spot. The Kings are just two games behind the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 6 seed.
The Lakers (14-12) are 10th in the West, just a half game out of the No. 6 seed in the wild West. They are coming off a 116-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Here are three things to watch in Thursday’s game.
LeBron and AD
Dealing with James and Davis is no small task for any team.
James recorded a triple-double in a 131-127 victory over the Kings on Oct. 26 in Los Angeles, finishing with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists after hitting the Kings with a hellacious fourth-quarter scoring barrage. Davis scored 31 points on 10-of-15 shooting.
Davis is averaging 27.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.0 blocks. He is shooting 53.4% from the field but just 30.5% from 3-point range.
James averages 22.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists. He is shooting 49.2% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc.
Fire Fox
The Kings need De’Aaron Fox to be at his best, especially if they are missing Sabonis, Murray and Huerter.
Fox is ninth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 26.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals, but his scoring average has fallen recently. Over the past five games, Fox is averaging 21.6 points while shooting 44% from the field, 18.8% from 3-point range and 73.7% at the free-throw line.
Defending the 3-point line
The Lakers are 20th in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 34.7%, but they hit 14 of 34 (.412) in their win over the Kings in October.
The Kings have struggled to defend the 3-point line all season. They are 29th in the NBA in that category, allowing opponents to shoot 37.7%, but over the past five games they are 10th at 35.5%.
Lakers at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -5.5
Over/under: 229.5
Injury report
Lakers: PROBABLE — Anthony Davis (foot). QUESTIONABLE — LeBron James (foot). OUT — Jaxson Hayes (ankle); Jalen Hood-Schifino (hamstring); Bronny James (G League); Maxwell Lewis (G League); Jarred Vanderbilt (foot); Christian Wood (knee).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Kevin Huerter (shoulder); Keegan Murray (ankle); Domantas Sabonis (back). OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 21 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Dec. 22 vs. Indiana Pacers
Dec. 26 vs. Detroit Pistons
Dec. 28 at Los Angeles Lakers
Dec. 33 vs. Dallas Mavericks
