One key player will be back in uniform and another could be back in the starting lineup when the Sacramento Kings visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Kings forward Keegan Murray has been upgraded to questionable after missing the past two games with a right calf strain. Backup center Drew Eubanks will be available after missing the past seven games due to an avulsion fracture in his left thumb. Zach LaVine (left ankle sprain) and Domantas Sabonis (left knee partial meniscus tear) are still out due to injuries.
The Clippers are missing Bradley Beal (left hip fracture), Bogdan Bogdanovic (left hamstring injury management), Chris Paul (not with team) and Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain). John Collins is questionable due to illness.
The Kings (8-24) are coming off a 125-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. They had won two of their previous three games with victories over the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks before losing to the Lakers on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.
The Clippers (10-21) posted an impressive 112-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday behind a career-high 55 points from Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers have won four in a row with wins over the Lakers, Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and Pistons.
Here are three keys to Tuesday’s game.
What about Dylan Cardwell?
With Eubanks set to return, undrafted rookie two-way center Dylan Cardwell has been reassigned to the G League Stockton Kings and ruled out for Tuesday’s game.
Cardwell’s status could change over the course of the day, but if he is indeed returning to Stockton, the Kings will miss his energy and effort on the defensive end of the floor. Cardwell has emerged as something of a fan favorite recently, averaging 5.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 steals over the past six games.
Guarding Harden and Leonard
Stopping the Clippers starts with coming up with a plan for Leonard and James Harden.
Leonard is averaging 27.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 49.5% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range. Harden is averaging 26.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 43.5% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc.
Keep DeRozan rolling
DeMar DeRozan is still playing at a very high level in his 17th season.
Over the past six games, DeRozan is averaging 23.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.0 steals while shooting 52.2% from the field and 91.5% at the free throw line on 7.8 attempts per game.
Kings at Clippers
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Clippers -8.5
Over/under: 223.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Keegan Murray (calf). OUT — Dylan Cardwell (G League); Zach LaVine (ankle); Daeqwon Plowden (G League); Domantas Sabonis (knee); Isaiah Stevens (G League).
Clippers: QUESTIONABLE — John Collins (illness). OUT — Bradley Beal (hip); Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring); Chris Paul (not with team); Ivica Zubac (ankle).