The Sacramento Kings could be missing as many as three starters when they open a five-game homestand against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center.
Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis are listed as questionable due to injuries and Keegan Murray is still recovering from thumb surgery. Kings coach Doug Christie will have lineup decisions to make if LaVine and Sabonis are unable to play, but the Warriors will be missing one of their starters as well.
Warriors star Steph Curry played despite battling a cold in Tuesday’s victory over the Phoenix Suns. Curry said he would consult with team physicians before deciding whether to play against the Kings on the second night of a back-to-back, but coach Steve Kerr said he had already made up his mind.
“He’s wiped out right now, so I don’t care what the doctors say,” Kerr told Bay Area media. “We’ve got to get him some rest, so I’ll make the decision right now. He’s not going to play.”
Malik Monk will be back in uniform for the Kings (2-5) after missing the past two games due to personal reasons. Sacramento pulled off a surprising 135-133 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday before ending a tough four-game road trip with a 130-124 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
The Warriors (5-3) suffered back-to-back losses to the Bucks and Indiana Pacers before beating the Suns 118-107 on Tuesday at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Here are three keys to Wednesday’s game.
Sacramento’s injuries
The Kings haven’t been at full strength all season. Murray has been out since the preseason with an ulnar collateral ligament tear in his left thumb while other players have been in and out of the lineup.
The Kings will have a hard time replacing the production of LaVine and Sabonis if they are ruled out Wednesday. LaVine has been dealing with lower back soreness. Sabonis suffered a left ribcage contusion in Monday’s loss to the Nuggets.
LaVine is averaging 27.4 points per game. Sabonis is averaging 14.5 points, 14.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Christie will likely start Keon Ellis or rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford if LaVine is out. Drew Eubanks will probably start in place of Sabonis if he is unable to play.
Curry’s absence
The Warriors won’t be the same without Curry, an 11-time All-Star and two-time MVP who has led Golden State to four NBA championships.
Curry is averaging 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals. He is shooting 46.5% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range.
The Warriors will likely start Brandin Podziemski in place of Curry. Podziemski is averaging 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
The Warriors will also have to start someone in place of Butler if he is ruled out. Butler is the team’s second-leading scorer at 21.4 points per game.
Kuminga watch
The Kings pursued Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga in sign-and-trade talks over the summer, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement. Instead, Kuminga chose to return to the Warriors on a two-year, $46.8 million deal.
Kuminga has been outstanding so far this season, alleviating concerns about his fit with Curry, Butler and Draymond Green. Kuminga is averaging 17.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 53.1% from the field and 43.5% from 3-point range.
Warriors at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -2.5
Over/under: 227.5
Injury report
Warriors: Not yet submitted..
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Zach LaVine (back); Domantas Sabonis (ribs). OUT — Dylan Cardwell (G League); Keegan Murray (thumb); Daeqwon Plowden (G League); Isaiah Stevens (G League).