Kings vs. Heat: Tyler Herro, Keon Ellis injury news; keys to the game
Keon Ellis is expected to return from injury when the Kings play host to the Miami Heat on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The timeline for Heat star Tyler Herro’s return is unknown after an MRI revealed a costochondral injury to the right side of his ribs.
The Kings (12-31) have two games remaining on their season-long seven-game homestand. They had won four in a row before suffering a 117-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
The Heat (22-21) will be on the second night of a back-to-back after suffering a 135-112 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday at Chase Center in San Francisco. Herro is out with the rib injury. Davion Mitchell (shoulder), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) and Nikola Jovic (illness) will be available.
Here are three key storylines going into Tuesday’s game.
Dylan Cardwell experience
Undrafted rookie center Dylan Cardwell recorded his first double-double in Sunday’s loss to the Blazers.
Cardwell was the first player off the bench for Kings coach Doug Christie, entering the game before Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk. Cardwell played 26 minutes, finishing with a career-high 12 points, 10 rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot.
Monitoring Sabonis
Sabonis came off the bench in the past two contests after missing 27 games with a partially torn meniscus in his left knee.
The three-time Al-NBA center had 13 points, six rebounds and five assists in 21 minutes against the Washington Wizards on Friday. He had eight points, eight rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes against the Blazers on Sunday.
Herro’s absence
Herro is Miami’s second-leading scorer. He is averaging 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 49.7% from the field and 35.8% from 3-point range.
The Kings will still have to contend with Norma Powell and Bam Adebayo. Powell averages 23.7 points per game. Adebayo is averaging 17.0 points and 9.7 rebounds.
Heat at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Heat -3.5
Over/under: 236.5
Injury report
Heat: AVAILABLE — Jamie Jaquez Jr. (knee); Nikola Jovic (head, illness); Pelle Larsson (finger); Davion Mitchell (shoulder). QUESTIONABLE — Kel’el Ware (hamstring). OUT — Vladislav Goldin (G League); Tyler Herro (ribs); Terry Rozier (not with team); Jahmir Young (G League).
Kings: OUT — Keegan Murray (ankle); Daeqwon Plowden (G League); Isaiah Stevens (G League).
This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 12:15 PM.
