Kings vs. Pelicans gameday: In-season tournament quarterfinals, injuries, scouting reports
The Kings will play host to the New Orleans Pelicans in the quarterfinals of the NBA in-season tournament Monday night at Golden 1 Center with a chance to advance to the Final Four in Las Vegas.
The winner of Monday’s knockout-round game will move on to face the Los Angeles Lakers or Phoenix Suns in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Thursday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The winner of that contest will go on to Saturday’s championship game with an opportunity to claim the inaugural NBA Cup.
The Kings (11-7) suffered back-to-back losses to the Pelicans (11-10) in New Orleans during their last road trip, falling 129-93 on Nov. 20 and 117-112 on Nov. 22. Zion Williamson proved to be a matchup problem for Sacramento. The 6-foot-6, 284-pound forward averaged 25.5 points while making 22 of 32 (.688) field-goal attempts in those two games.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings are coming off a 123-117 victory over the Denver Nuggets. They have won three of their last four games and nine of 12 dating back to Nov. 8.
De’Aaron Fox is averaging 30.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.6 steals. The 25-year-old point guard is fourth in the NBA in scoring behind Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant. Fox had a career-high 16 assists in Saturday’s win over the Nuggets.
Domantas Sabonis is averaging 18.6 points, 11.8 rebounds and 6.9 assists. He is third in the NBA in rebounding and tied for third with 14 double-doubles in 18 games.
Malik Monk (14.4 ppg), Kevin Huerter (13.0 ppg), Keegan Murray (12.9 ppg) and Harrison Barnes (12.3 ppg) are also scoring in double figures for Sacramento.
The Kings are 10th in the NBA in scoring (116.5 ppg) and 21st in scoring defense (116.7 ppg).
Scouting New Orleans
The Pelicans are coming off a 124-118 loss to the Chicago Bulls. They have won seven of 11 since going 4-6 to start the season.
Williamson is averaging 23.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Brandon Ingram averages 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists. CJ McCollum, who missed the two previous games against Sacramento due to a collapse lung, has appeared in eight games this season, averaging 21.1 points and 5.9 assists.
The Pelicans are 15th in the NBA in scoring (114.0 ppg) and 16th in scoring defense (113.2 ppg).
Pelicans at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: TNT
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -4.5
Over/under: 234.5
Injury report
Pelicans: OUT — Larry Nance Jr. (rib); Matt Ryan (elbow).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Chris Duarte (knee). OUT — Alex Len (ankle).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 4 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Dec. 7-9 TBD
Dec. 11 vs. Brooklyn Nets
Dec. 12 at Los Angeles Clippers
Dec. 14 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
