The Sacramento Kings have a chance to post back-to-back wins for just the second time this season when they conclude a three-game road trip against the Indiana Pacers on Monday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Kings (6-17) are listing Keegan Murray (right trapezius soreness) and Dennis Schroder (right hip flexor strain) as questionable. Domantas Sabonis is still out with a partial meniscus tear in his left knee.
The Kings turned in an impressive performance to snap a four-game losing streak with a 127-111 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday at Kaseya Center. Zach LaVine scored a season-high 42 points after being held to a season-low two points in Wednesday’s 121-95 loss to the Houston Rockets.
The Pacers (5-18) are coming off a 120-105 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Pascal Siakam scored a season-high 36 points in the win.
The Pacers have struggled without All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who will miss the entire season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton started his career with the Kings before going to Indianapolis in the trade that brought Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento.
Indiana is also missing Obi Toppin (foot) and Aaron Nesmith (knee).
Here are three keys to Monday’s game.
Rookie report
Kings rookies Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud are getting increased opportunities with Schroder and Sabonis out due to injuries.
Raynaud, a second-round pick from Stanford, posted 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots in his first career start against Miami on Saturday. Clifford, a first-round pick from Colorado State, came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting with six rebounds.
Raynaud has flourished over the last four games, averaging 16.3 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 59% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range. He scored a career-high 19 points against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 28 and surpassed that figure with 25 points against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Slowing Siakam and Mathurin
The Pacers are missing a number of key players with six men sidelined due to injuries, including Haliburton, Toppin and Nesmith, but the Kings will still have to contend with Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin.
Siakam is averaging 24.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 48.2% from the field and 37% from 3-point range.
Mathurin is averaging 21.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 45.7% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc.
Murray’s status
The Kings will miss Murray’s presence if he is unable to play against the Pacers.
Murray has appeared in eight games after missing the start of the season with a thumb injury. He is averaging career highs of 16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks.
Kings at Pacers
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Pacers -3.5
Over/under: 233.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Keegan Murray (trapezius); Dennis Schroder (hip). OUT — Dylan Cardwell (G League); Devin Carter (G League); Daeqwon Plowden (G League); Domantas Sabonis (knee); Isaiah Stevens (G League).
Pacers: OUT — Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles); Quenton Jackson (hamstring); Kam Jones (back); Aaron Nesmith (knee); Ben Sheppard (calf); Obi Toppin (foot).