Kings vs. Pistons gameday: Will Domantas Sabonis and Jalen Duran play? 3 things to watch
The Kings need a win in the worst way when they play the Detroit Pistons on Thursday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Having Domantas Sabonis in the lineup would help.
The Kings are caught in a downward spiral after losing the first four games of a five-game homestand. They lost to the Denver Nuggets, dropped two games to the Los Angeles Lakers and then got embarrassed by the Indiana Pacers.
The Kings (13-17) have fallen to 12th in the Western Conference. They are four games behind the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 6 seed. They are 2 ½ games behind the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors for eighth in the West.
The Pistons (13-17) are coming off a 133-125 win over the Suns and a 117-114 victory the Lakers. They are tied for ninth in the Eastern Conference after winning three of their last four games.
The Kings are listing Sabonis as questionable due to illness. The Pistons are listing Jalen Duren (right ankle sprain) as probable and Isaiah Stewart (left knee hyperextension) as questionable.
Here are three things to watch in Thursday’s game.
Scouting Detroit
Cade Cunningham is leading the Pistons, averaging 23.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 9.7 assists. He is shooting 45.3% from the field and 37.3% from 3-point range.
Jaden Ivey averages 17.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists, shooting 44.2% from the field and 38.4% from long distance.
Malik Beasley (16.6 ppg), Tobias Harris (13.3 ppg, 6.6, 2.4 apg) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (10.2) are also scoring in double figures.
Sabonis’ status
Sabonis has been playing through back and ankle injuries. Now, he’s dealing with an illness, too.
The Kings will have to make a big adjustment if Sabonis is unable to play against the Pistons. The three-time All-Star is averaging 21.1 points, 13.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 60.3% from the field and a career-high 41.8% from 3-point range.
Detroit’s injuries
Duren is Detroit’s starting center. He averages 9.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 69.7% from the field. He had 17 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday’s win over the Suns.
Stewart is the team’s backup center. He is averaging 6.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 55.2% from the field. He has missed the past three games due to the knee injury.
Pistons at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -4.5
Over/under: 224.5
Injury report
Pistons: PROBABLE — Jalen Duren (ankle). QUESTIONABLE — Ronald Holland II (illness); Isaiah Stewart (knee). OUT — Dannis Jenkins (G League); Cole Swider (G League); Alondes Williams ( G League).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Domantas Sabonis (illness). OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 26 vs. Detroit Pistons
Dec. 28 at Los Angeles Lakers
Dec. 30 vs. Dallas Mavericks
Jan. 1 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Jan. 3 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
