Kings vs. Rockets: NBA playoff race, matchups, injury reports and three things to watch
The Kings have a chance to gain ground in the Western Conference standings when they visit the Houston Rockets on Saturday at Toyota Center.
This is the second stop on a four-game road trip for the Kings, who will visit the Dallas Mavericks on Monday and the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
The Kings (30-28) are coming off back-to-back wins after beating the Charlotte Hornets 130-88 on Monday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento and the Utah Jazz 118-101 on Wednesday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. They will face a much bigger challenge in Houston.
The Rockets (37-22) are fifth in the Western Conference playoff race, just a half-game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 4 seed and one game behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 3 seed. The Rockets lost six in a row in late January and early February, but they have now won three of four and five of their last seven, including victories over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks.
Here are three things to watch in Saturday’s game.
Sabonis vs. Sengun
The matchup between Domantas Sabonis and Alperen Sengun will be a big focal point in this game.
Sengun earned his first All-Star selection this season. Sabonis was considered one of the biggest All-Star snubs for the second year in a row.
Sabonis is averaging 19.9 points, a career-high 14.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He is shooting 59.6% from the field, a career-best 43.2% from 3-point range and 74.9% at the free-throw line.
Sengun averages 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals. He is shooting 48.6% from the field, 22.8% from 3-point range and 69.9% at the free-throw line.
Season series
Sacramento is 2-0 in the season series against Houston. This will be their final meeting of the year.
The Kings beat the Rockets 120-111 on Dec. 3 and 132-127 on Jan. 16, both times in Sacramento. Sabonis had 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the first game.
In the second game, DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points. Malik Monk had 26 points and nine assists. Sabonis added 20 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.
Rockets guard Jalen Green scored 28 points in both games against the Kings, going 19 of 34 (.559) and 9 of 16 (.563) from 3-point range.
Turnover battle
Sacramento will have to take care of the ball in order to complete a season sweep of the Rockets.
The Kings have averaged 16.5 turnovers over the past 10 games, ranking 28th in the NBA, after trading De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the three-team deal that brought Zach LaVine to Sacramento.
Kings at Rockets
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Toyota Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Rockets -4.5
Over/under: 227.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (G League); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Isaac Jones (G League).
Rockets: OUT — N’Faly Dante (G League); Jack McVeigh (G League); Cody Zeller (not with team).
This story was originally published March 1, 2025 at 5:16 AM.
