The Sacramento Kings are among the most perplexing teams in the NBA; they often defeat formidable opponents while losing games that they should win. After a depressing loss to the Houston Rockets, they have shown this tendency in their last two games. On Tuesday night, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 35 points to the basket.
On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will visit Sacramento for a game that is crucial to both clubs’ postseason hopes. The Kings are two games ahead of the Lakers in seventh place in the Western Conference. This last stretch of games for both teams is crucial if anyone hopes to fall into the top 6, even though both teams might ultimately lose to the Play-In.
In their season finale, the Kings, who have a 3-0 record against the Lakers, aim to sweep the series, but both sides might be without key players.
Sacramento Kings
The QUESTIONABLE
Keegan Murray (ankle)
Trey Lyles: UNCERTAIN (knee)
OUT: Sasha Vezenkov (ankle)
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James is a dubious (ankle).
Anthony Davis: Likely to be Achilles
Christian Wood: ACL tear
Cam Reddish: (ankle) OUT
Gabe Vincent: ACL tear
Foot: Jarred Vanderbilt – OUT
Wrist: Colin Castleton – OUT
Since the All-Star break, LeBron James has been suffering with a wear-and-tear ankle issue that has made him picky about which games he plays in. James did not play in the Lakers’ last game against the Bucks, but he did play in their most recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. For LeBron, it will be a toss-up on the road on Wednesday.
Despite missing the Kings’ crushing victory over the Bucks due to an ankle ailment, Keegan Murray participated in the morning shootaround. Murray’s health is uncertain, but if he is sidelined, Keon Ellis might get the start, just like he did against the Bucks.
With an Achilles injury, Anthony Davis is likely to play for the Lakers. With a lifetime record of 0-9 against Domantas Sabonis, Davis will have an added incentive going into Wednesday night’s pivotal game.
Although the Kings have dominated the California rivalry lately, anything may happen as the playoffs approach.
