Kings vs. Cavaliers gameday live: De’Aaron Fox’s injury status; Cleveland scouting report
All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox returned to practice Sunday as the Kings prepared to conclude a three-game homestand against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday at Golden 1 Center.
Fox has missed the past five games with a right ankle sprain. He was a full participant in practice and “looked good,” according to coach Mike Brown.
The Kings (4-4) are listing Fox as doubtful for Monday’s game, but he could be upgraded if the injured ankle responds well to Sunday’s practice session. Forward Trey Lyles has been ruled out. Lyles has yet to suit up this season after suffering a left calf strain during the preseason.
The Cavaliers (4-5) are listing Sam Merrill as questionable due to illness. Ty Jerome (right ankle sprain), Isaac Okoro (left knee injury management) and Ricky Rubio (not with team) have all been ruled out.
Okoro has appeared in six games this season, including five starts. He is averaging 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 40% from 3-point range.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings lost three in a row after Fox went down with the ankle injury in an overtime win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 29. Now, they are coming off back-to-back wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kevin Huerter scored a season-high 28 points to help the Kings beat the Thunder in their first NBA Cup in-season tournament game. Keegan Murray had season highs of 24 points, 11 rebounds and three steals.
Domantas Sabonis recorded his 15th triple-double since joining the Kings in February 2022, passing Chris Webber for the Sacramento-era franchise record. Sabonis is averaging 17.4 points, 12.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists while shooting 56.3% from the field.
Scouting Cleveland
Sacramento is the third stop on a four-game road trip for the Cavaliers, who are coming off a 118-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
The Cavaliers are led by Donovan Mitchell, a 6-fooot-3 guard who is averaging 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.3 steals. Mitchell is shooting 48.6% from the field, 36.1% from 3-point range at 90.9% at the free-throw line.
Mitchell is one of six players scoring in double figures for the Cavaliers, including Caris LeVert (18.8 ppg) and Darius Garland (17.4 ppg). Evan Mobley, a third-year center who came out of USC as the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, is averaging 16.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks.
Upgraded
Fox has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Monday’s game against the Cavaliers. He was a full participant in the team’s morning shootaround. He will likely go through pregame warmups before a final decision is made.
He’s back
Fox was cleared to return for Monday’s game against the Cavaliers about two hours before tipoff. He will be in the starting lineup and will not have a minutes restriction, according to Brown.
Cavaliers at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California, NBA TV
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Cavaliers -2.5
Over/under: 224.5
Injury report
Cavaliers: QUESTIONABLE — Sam Merrill (illness). OUT — Ty Jerome (ankle); Isaiah Mobley (G League); Isaac Okoro (knee); Ricky Rubio (not with team).
Kings: DOUBTFUL — De’Aaron Fox (ankle). OUT — Trey Lyles (calf); Filip Petrusev (G League); Jalen Slawson (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Nov. 13 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Nov. 15 at Los Angeles Lakers
Nov. 17 at San Antonio Spurs
Nov. 19 at Dallas Mavericks
Nov. 20 at New Orleans Pelicans
