Kings vs. Nuggets: Triple-double leaders Jokic vs. Sabonis; Duarte injury; scouting report
Reinforcements are not on the way as the Kings prepare to face the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets on Friday at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings stood pat as the NBA trade deadline came and went Thursday, keeping the current roster intact in hopes of making another run to the playoffs.
The Kings made only one move before the trade deadline, acquiring Robin Lopez and cash considerations from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for the draft rights to Dimitrios Agravanis. However, the Kings waived Lopez later in the day, making him a free agent.
The Kings (29-21) will be missing guard Chris Duarte when they play the Nuggets, who sit atop the Western Conference in a tie with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Duarte will be reevaluated in seven to 14 days after suffering a moderate right ankle sprain prior to Wednesday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons.
The Nuggets (36-16) won’t submit an injury report until Friday. They are coming to Sacramento on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Los Angeles Lakers 114-106 on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did not play in Thursday’s game against the Lakers due to right hamstring tightness. He is averaging 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season. Justin Holiday started in place of Caldwell-Pope against the Lakers.
Scouting Sacramento
Sacramento is seventh in the Western Conference, a half-game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the final automatic playoff berth. The Kings lead a play-in group that currently includes the Dallas Mavericks, Lakers and Utah Jazz with the Golden State Warriors trailing by percentage points.
De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.8 steals for the Kings. Fox scored 41 points in Saturday’s win over the Chicago Bulls. He has been up and down offensively in recent weeks, but he has 16 steals over the past four games with 22 steals in the past seven games.
Domantas Sabonis averages 19.9 points, 13.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists. He has recorded 33 consecutive double-doubles, the second-longest streak in franchise history. Sabonis leads the NBA with 46 double-doubles on the season.
Keegan Murray is averaging 15.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals. Murray will represent the Kings in the Rising Stars tournament at All-Star Weekend. Harrison Barnes (12.2 ppg), Kevin Huerter (11.0 ppg) and Trey Lyles (7.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg) are also playing key roles for Sacramento.
Scouting Denver
Denver is tied for first in the West with the Timberwolves after winning eight of its last 10 games. The Nuggets have won three in a row and five of their last six.
Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic is averaging 26.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.2 steals. Jokic and Sabonis are tied for first in the NBA with 15 triple-doubles.
Jamal Murray averages 21.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists. Michael Porter Jr. (15.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Aaron Gordon (13.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Reggie Jackson (11.1 ppg) and Caldwell-Pope are also playing important roles for the Nuggets.
Nuggets at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -1.5
Over/under: 232.5
Injury report
Nuggets: Not yet submitted.
Kings: OUT — Chris Duarte (ankle); Jordan Ford (G League); Jalen Slawson (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Feb. 9 vs. Denver Nuggets
Feb. 11 at Oklahoma City Thunder
Feb. 13 at Phoenix Suns
Feb. 14 at Denver Nuggets
Feb. 22 vs. San Antonio Spurs
