Kings vs. Nets gameday: Fox, Johnson, Thomas injury news; trade rumors; 3 things to watch
De’Aaron Fox is expected to play when the Kings face the shorthanded Brooklyn Nets in the third game of a six-game road trip Monday at Barclays Center.
Fox played against the New York Knicks on Saturday after being considered questionable due to a right thumb sprain. He was not listed on the team’s injury report Sunday as Sacramento prepared to play the Nets.
Brooklyn will be missing its two leading scorers. Cam Thomas has been ruled out due to a left hamstring strain. Cameron Johnson, who has been one of Sacramento’s top trade targets in recent months, is out with a right ankle sprain.
In addition, the Nets will be missing Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot injury recovery), Maxwell Lewis (left tibia fracture), De’Anthony Melton (left ACL tear) and Trendon Watford (left hamstring strain). Ben Simmons is questionable with lower back soreness.
The Kings (23-22) opened the road trip with back-to-back losses to the Denver Nuggets and Knicks. They are 10th in the Western Conference, three games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 6 seed.
The Nets (14-32) have lost six in a row under first-year coach Jordi Fernandez, who spent two seasons in Sacramento as Mike Brown’s lead assistant. The Nets are 12th in the Eastern Conference, five games behind the Chicago Bulls for the final play-in spot.
Here are three things to watch in Monday’s game.
Brooklyn’s injuries
The Nets will be missing a lot of firepower with Thomas and Johnson out of the lineup.
Thomas is averaging 24.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range. Johnson averages 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.9% from beyond the arc.
Thomas helped to lead a 3-point barrage when the Nets handed the Kings a 108-103 loss on Nov. 24 in Sacramento. He scored 34 points, going 11 of 22 from the field, 4 of 10 from 3-point range an 8 of 11 at the free-throw line.
Noah Clowney had a big game, too, coming off the bench to score 18 points while hitting 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. The Nets torched the Kings from long distance, making 19 of 39 to shoot 48.7% from 3-point range.
De’Aaron Fox’s injuries
Fox is expected to play against the Nets despite being banged up.
Fox has been dealing with ligament damage in his left pinky finger all season. He sprained his right thumb in Thursday’s loss to the Nuggets and recently missed three games with a right gluteal contusion.
Fox is averaging 25.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.5 steals, but he has struggled over the past six games. Over that stretch, he has averaged 16.0 points while shooting 31.8% from the field and 25% from 3-point range.
Cam Johnson trade rumors
The Kings and Nets have been linked to trade talks involving Johnson for months, but Brooklyn’s asking price might be too high for Sacramento.
The Nets are believed to be seeking two first-round draft picks or one pick and a top young prospect. The Kings seem to be unwilling to trade third-year forward Keegan Murray or rookie guard Devin Carter, so it might be difficult to get a deal done before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Kings at Nets
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Barclays Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -10.5
Over/under: 221.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Isaiah Crawford (G League); Colby Jones (G League); Isaac Jones (G League).
Nets: QUESTIONABLE — Ben Simmons (back). OUT — Bojan Bogdanovic (foot); Cam Johnson (ankle); Maxwell Lewis (tibia); De’Anthony Melton (knee); Cam Thomas (hamstring); Trendon Watford (hamstring).
