Kings vs. Knicks gameday: De’Aaron Fox, Josh Hart injury updates and three things to watch
The status of two key players is in question as the Sacramento Kings prepare to visit the New York Knicks on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
The Kings are listing point guard De’Aaron Fox as questionable due to a right thumb sprain. Knicks shooting guard Josh Hart is questionable because of right knee soreness.
The Kings (23-21) suffered a 132-123 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday in the first game of a tough six-game road trip. They are ninth in the Western Conference, two games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 6 seed.
The Knicks (29-16) will be well rested after having three days off following their 99-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. They are third in the Eastern Conference, two games behind the Boston Celtics and 7 ½ games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Here are three things to watch in Saturday’s game.
De’Aaron Fox’s injury
Fox has been playing with ligament damage in his left pinkie finger since the preseason. He sprained his right thumb after being clubbed twice on the hand by Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in Thursday’s game.
Fox after a Saturday morning shootaround said he will play against the Knicks.
Fox is averaging 25.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 47% from the field and 31.7% from 3-point range. He has struggled with his shot over the past seven games, averaging 18.0 points while shooting 35.9% from the field and 28.9% from beyond the arc.
Fox has missed three games this season, all due to a right gluteal contusion suffered in a Jan. 3 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Kings went 3-0 with wins over the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.
Keon Ellis would likely start in place of Fox if he is unable to play against the Knicks. The Kings are 7-3 with Ellis in the starting lineup this season.
Scouting the Knicks
Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson and center Karl-Anthony Towns are having both having tremendous seasons.
Brunson is averaging 26.0 points and 7.3 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range on 5.9 attempts per game.
Towns averages 25.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 54.5% from the field and 43.3% on 4.9 3-point attempts per game.
Josh Hart’s injury
The Knicks will miss Hart if he isn’t able to play against the Kings. The 29-year-old guard is having one of the best years of his career.
Hart is averaging 14.0 points and career highs of 9.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals. He is shooting 55.7% from the field and 36.2% from 3-point range.
Kings at Knicks
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Madison Square Garden
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Knicks -6.5
Over/under: 233.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Isaiah Crawford (G League); Colby Jones (G League); Isaac Jones (G League).
Knicks: QUESTIONABLE — Josh Hart (knee). OUT — Kevin McCullar Jr. (G League); Mitchell Robinson (ankle).
This story was originally published January 25, 2025 at 5:03 AM.
