The Kings have a chance to win their third in a row when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at Smoothie King Center, but beating the Pelicans has been a problem for them lately.
The Kings went 0-6 against the Pelicans last season, including five losses in the regular season and a 105-98 loss in a play-in elimination game that prevented Sacramento from going to the playoffs for the second year in a row.
The Pelicans had high hopes after adding Dejounte Murray to a core that already featured Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado, but they have been besieged by injuries. Williamson, Ingram and Murray – all former All-Stars – have yet to appear in a game together.
Williamson (left hamstring strain), Ingram (left ankle sprain) and Alvarado (left hamstring strain) have been ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Kings.
Williamson has only appeared in six games, Murray has appeared in eight, and Ingram is expected to miss extended time due to the recent ankle injury.
Here are three things to watch in Thursday’s game.
Playoff race
The Kings (12-13) have won two in a row for the first time since early November. They are still 12th in the Western Conference despite winning three of their last four games, but they are only two games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 6 seed.
The Pelicans (5-20) have lost two in a row and 11 of their last 12 to fall to 15th in the West. They have the second-worst record in the NBA behind the 3-19 Washington Wizards.
Scouting the Pelicans
In addition to Williamson and Ingram, New Orleans is also missing Jordan Hawkins, who is out with a back injury. Hawkins is averaging 13.1 points per game.
Williamson and Ingram are the Pelicans’ two leading scorers. Williamson is averaging 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Ingram averages 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
The Kings will still have to contend with McCollum, Murray and Murphy. McCollum is averaging 20.3 points, but he is shooting just 31.4% from 3-point range. Murray is averaging 15.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists since returning from a hand injury that required surgery. Murphy averages 18.0 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Sacramento’s scoring
The Kings have been lighting up the scoreboard since moving Malik Monk into the starting lineup.
Over the past five games, they are No. 1 in the NBA in scoring 127.2 ppg, No. 1 in offensive rating (126.9), No. 2 in net rating (+15.2) and No. 6 in 3-point shooting 41.1%.
Monk has averaged 19.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists as a starter while shooting 47.1% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range, up from his season averages of 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
Kings at Pelicans
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Smoothie King Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -5.5
Over/under: 231.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League); Trey Lyles (calf).
Pelicans: QUESTIONABLE — Javonte Green (ankle). OUT — Jose Alvarado (hamstring); Jordan Hawkins (back); Brandon Ingram (ankle); Karlo Matkovic (back); Zion Williamson (hamstring).