The Sacramento Kings are riding high, having won three in a row and three out of four since Doug Christie took over as interim head coach. Sacramento seems to have been rejuvenated, but have had some schedule luck as they’ve faced some injury-riddled teams. The Golden State Warriors are dealing with injuries of their own, but now the most significant injury might be on Sacramento’s side of the ledger, as De’Aaron Fox is considered Doubtful with a sore hip after Jaren Jackson Jr’s hard foul on Friday. Can the Kings maintain the momentum if Fox misses this game?
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Sunday, January 5th, 5:30 PM PST
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
TV: NBCSCA
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
The Warriors have not submitted their injury report yet, as they are on a back-to-back for this game. Last night the Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies without Stephen Curry, who was held out due to the back-to-back but seems likely to play tonight. Jonathan Kuminga left the game with an ankle sprain that is expected to keep him out for an extended period. Gary Payton II will also miss this one. The Warriors got big performances last night from Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroeder, and Lindy Waters III. The Warriors have the advantage of being in the midst of an extended homestand, but won’t have the freshest legs with the exceptions of Curry and Kevon Looney, who got a DNP-CD last night but always seems to be a key part of Golden State’s gameplan against Domantas Sabonis.
For the Kings, Fox is listed as Doubtful and Keegan Murray is Questionable as he continues to deal with his sore ankle. The Kings will need a balanced attack in this one, and playing a game without Fox is a big test both for Doug Christie as a coach and for the strength of the newfound positive vibes around the team. I’d expect big minutes from Keon Ellis, even if Keegan is back.
Despite getting off to a much better start to the season, the Warriors have faltered as the season went along and have fallen to the 8th seed in the West. They’ve won their last two games, but are still just 2.5 games ahead of the Kings in the standings. The Kings need to win these games against other teams that are in the play-in picture, as those couple wins can make a huge difference at the end of the year if both Sacramento and Golden State stay in the hunt.
One final thought: The Warriors and Kings have played each other close over the last few years. After Steph went nuclear in Game 7 of their playoff series two years ago, the Kings split the regular season last year before the Kings dominated the Warriors in the first round of the Play-In. This is the first matchup between the two teams this season (not counting the preseason where Golden State won both games. I wonder how much of the matchup over the last few years was dictated by the familiarity between Mike Brown and Steve Kerr. Will Doug Christie have the Kings throwing out some looks that can take Kerr by surprise? Just something I’ll be watching for.
Prediction
Draymond Green does something shitty, Sabonis has a triple double anyway. Malik Monk tries to outduel Curry from three. Buddy Hield makes a mistake that costs Golden State the game.
Kings 134, Warriors 132
It’s a Dubs SEGABABA today;
Rested Curry, so likely he’ll play.
Dubs were up, then been down.
As we visit their town,
Let’s add purple glow to the Bay!
+1 Let’s have a rude awakening for Mr. Night-night!
&ct=g
Fox officially out.
Ellis and Carter need to step up. Maybe we get a good Huerter sighting today, too.
One of them needs to be on Curry 100% of the time on defense. Great chance with Fox out for them to make an impact
This game should be a good barometer for where the team is at. Talent-wise, GSW is a borderline play-in team, as their record indicates. If the Kings want to show they’re at least a borderline play-in team also, or preferably even better than that, they’ll need a good showing today, with or without Fox.
Except the Dubs are without Kuminga, Payton II, and Podz. The Kings haven’t played a healthy team in some time.
Need the easy teams to get back to 0.500 and grasp for the play in loss to guarantee we do not tank.
The Dubs have been getting wins against those same less-than-healthy teams lately—the Sixers the night after we beat them and the Grizzlies also the night after we beat them.
They’ll have to take advantage of the injuries to other teams. They’ve been doing a decent job of that the past 3 games. My concern is GSW’s 3pt shooting. GSW shot 53% from 3 against the Grizz yesterday, I can only imagine what they’ll do tonight, especially with Curry back.
Such is the nature of the NBA. That’s not the team’s fault and I know that’s not entirely your point, but consistency is just as important as beating a team when it’s best player is out. 4 in a row out of 5 would be a fine outcome for this team regardless of who’s on the opponents’ rosters. I can’t recall the last time we had a 4 game win streak, much less with the majority of it coming at home.
Excellent point. There are dozens of starters/rotation players out league wide. Almost every game played can be qualified with “if” and “but”.
If Fox is replaced with a guard that distributes the ball and plays defense we are totally fine.
Fox and his sore butt should be court side watching how a real team leader plays basketball. There are a couple on the Warriors squad.
Come on, man.
You come over more butthurt than Fox with such comments.
I think Fox can and will be replaced when he leaves or is traded away. I do not think that Fox is same level player or team leader as Curry and many other players.
Many people here have said the same thing about Fox. Not at all butt hurt. We have about thirty guards on this team if you count the G league guys that can be brought up. One of them should be good at playing team basketball and defense for a night.
We should’ve been starting McLaughlin this whole time, apparently.
He does not do any of things I mentioned. That would be dumb.
Strategically speaking it is smart to rest anyone that is tired or questionable in health against us. So far we have managed to win against this strategy. That is a very good thing for this team.
Is there something in Slater’s post that suggests the Dubs are resting any of the three players mentioned for strategic reasons? GP3 and Podziemski have missed multiple games coming into today. Kuminga sprained his ankle last night and will reportedly miss more than just today’s game.
Did not specifically mention any team or person. Talking about the open but not so open concept of NBA players taking days off and timing those days.
Oh what? Something positive about the Kings. I just don’t believe it. And I thought all the time you were a stout Lakers fan. My apologies.
The trade guy sees me as positive. The poet sees me as negative.
Talk basketball and lose everyone.
Some familiar matchups:
Curry v. Keon (and Keegan?)
Dray/Looney v. Domas
Wiggins v. Keegan, DeRozan
Kerr v. Christie
No De’Aaron. No Klay (for better or woree). No Mike Brown
It’s a 3 Point League
Unsurprisngly, the Dubs are among the top 3PA teams, currently 4th.They are 13th at 37 3FG%They make no bones over a “Live by the 3, Die by the 3” strategy. coupled wih a swarming style defense. One could argue that Joe Mazzulla is a Kerr disciple- with better talent. I think Steve Kerr would like to make a statement win in honor of his former Lead Assistant, Mike Brown. But maybe that’s just click drama. Wins have been in short supply for both squads.
Light that Beam! Go Kings!
Today will be a good day to attempt 400.. I mean 40 3s and make em. Excited to see Ellis defend Curry again. Go Kings!
Carter was a pleasant surprise Friday night and a nice boost from the bench. I’m hoping he continues to find his way and add to the team’s success.
I think this game could get a little physical, especially in the 2nd half. Potentially tough game tomorrow, too, they’ve definitely got their work cut out the next 48 hours. Its time to see what these guys are made of; can we get back to back wins, settle for the split or are we still “…just a bit outside!”?
Let’s go Kings!
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