Kings vs. Grizzlies gameday: Fox vs. Morant matchup; Huerter injury news; scouting reports
Another epic point guard matchup awaits as the Kings prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies in what could be a wild New Year’s Eve affair Sunday at FedExForum.
De’Aaron Fox has performed at All-NBA level throughout the season while Ja Morant recently returned from a 25-game suspension following a series of gun-related incidents. The Grizzlies struggled in Morant’s absence, but they have been a different team since he returned to the lineup.
The Kings (18-12) could be without the services of guard Kevin Huerter, who is listed as questionable due to a strained left hand. Huerter left Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks and did not return after suffering the injury in the third quarter.
The Grizzlies (10-21) are missing Steven Adams, who had season-ending knee surgery in October, and Brandon Clarke, who is recovering from a torn Achilles. Luke Kennard (left knee bone bruise), John Konchar (illness) and Derrick Rose (left hamstring strain) are questionable.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings lost three of four before rallying from a 23-point deficit to beat the Hawks on Friday in Atlanta. They haven’t played well over the past two weeks, but they are fifth in the Western Conference, 5 ½ games behind the conference leading Minnesota Timberwolves, despite facing one of the NBA’s toughest schedules while dealing with numerous injuries.
Fox is averaging a career-high 30.2 points, 4.6 rebound, 6.2 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 48.8% from the field and a career-best 40.4% from 3-point range. He went 15 of 31 from beyond the arc over the past two games, scoring 43 against the Portland Trail Blazers and 31 against the Hawks.
Domantas Sabonis is averaging 19.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 7.4 assists. Keegan Murray (15.5 ppg), Malik Monk (14.1 ppg), Harrison Barnes (11.4 ppg) and Kevin Huerter (10.4 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Huerter and Barnes have been under scrutiny with their numbers declining this season. Huerter’s 3-point shooting has dropped from 40.2% to 35.2%. Barnes’ 3-point shooting is actually up from 37.4% to 38.5%, but he and Huerter have battled inconsistency with Fox, Sabonis, Murray and Monk carrying most of the scoring load.
Scouting Memphis
The Grizzlies have gone 4-1 with Morant in the lineup. They are coming off back-to-back losses to the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers, but Morant missed one of those games, Thursday’s 142-105 loss to the Nuggets, due to illness.
Memphis is 13th in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies are 5 ½ games behind the Houston Rockets for the final play-in spot in the West.
Morant has averaged 26.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists since his return. He has made 48.1% from the field and 81.8% at the free-throw line, but he is shooting just 12% from 3-point range, going 3 of 25 from beyond the arc.
Desmond Bane is averaging 24.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals. Jaren Jackson Jr. averages 21.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Marcus Smart (13.5 ppg) and Santi Aldama (11.2 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Status updates
▪ The Kings have cleared Huerter to play in Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies.
▪ The Grizzlies have cleared Kennard, Konchar and Rose to play against the Kings.
Lineup change
The Kings will start Chris Duarte in place of Huerter in Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies. Huerter will come off the Sacramento bench for the first time after starting 104 games over two seasons with the Kings.
Kings at Grizzlies
When: 5 p.m.
Where: FedExForum
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Grizzlies -1.5
Over/under: 236.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Kevin Huerter (hand). OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Colby Jones (G League), Jalen Slawson (G League).
Grizzlies: QUESTIONABLE — Luke Kennard (knee); John Konchar (illness); Derrick Rose (hamstring). OUT — Steven Adams (knee); Brandon Clarke (Achilles); GG Jackson (two-way transfer); Jake LaRavia (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 31 at Memphis Grizzlies
Jan. 2 vs. Charlotte Hornets
Jan. 3 vs. Orlando Magic
Jan. 5 vs. Toronto Raptors
Jan. 7 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
