Kings vs. Hawks: Nique Clifford, Dyson Daniels, Jonathan Kuminga injury news
The Sacramento Kings got a rare bit of good news when rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford and point guard Killian Hayes were cleared to play in Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.
Clifford and Hayes were upgraded from questionable to available on the team’s injury report Saturday morning. Clifford has missed the past two games with a left midfoot sprain. Hayes has been experiencing left finger soreness.
The Hawks are listing Dyson Daniels (left great toe sprain) and Jock Landale (right shoulder impingement) as questionable. Jonathan Kuminga (left knee injury) and Onyeka Okongwu (left index finger sprain) have been ruled out.
The Kings (19-55) opened their five-game road trip with loss to the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic. They have the worst record in the Western Conference and the fourth-worst record in the NBA after the Indiana Pacers (16-58), Brooklyn Nets (17-57) and Washington Wizards (17-56).
The Hawks (41-33) are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a one-game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets for the final automatic playoff berth. The Hawks, who will be on the second night of a back-to-back Saturday, had won three in a row and 14 of 15 before suffering a 109-102 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday.
The Kings will be happy to have Clifford and Hayes in uniform, but they will still be shorthanded with Drew Eubanks (thumb), De’Andre Hunter (eye), Zach LaVine (finger), Keegan Murray (ankle), Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Russell Westbrook (toe) all sidelined due to injuries.
Kings at Hawks
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: State Farm Arena
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Hawks -15.5
Over/under: 236.5
Injury report
Kings: AVAILABLE — Nique Clifford (foot); Killian Hayes (finger). OUT — Drew Eubanks (thumb); De’Andre Hunter (eye); Zach LaVine (finger); Keegan Murray (ankle); Domantas Sabonis (knee); Isaiah Stevens (G League); Russell Westbrook (toe).
Hawks: Not yet submitted.
