The Sacramento Kings will try to snap a four-game losing streak when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena, but they might have to do it without Zach LaVine.
LaVine is listed as questionable due to lower back soreness. LaVine was not initially listed on the team’s injury report, but he was added late Saturday night.
Cade Cunningham (right wrist injury management) is probable for the Pistons. Caris LeVert (illness) is considered doubtful.
The Kings (12-34) opened a six-game road trip with a 123-118 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. They will visit the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards before returning to Sacramento to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 4.
The Pistons (32-11) had won four in a row and seven of eight before suffering a 111-104 loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday. They are leading the Eastern Conference with a 4 ½-game lead over the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the East.
Here’s are three key storylines going into Sunday’s game.
Will Domantas Sabonis start?
Three-time All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis could be back in Sacramento’s starting lineup for the first time since returning from the injury that sidelined him for two months.
Sabonis missed 27 games with a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. He has come off the bench in all four games he has played since returning, but he started the second half of Friday’s game against the Cavaliers while producing his finest performance yet.
Sabonis finished with 24 points, 16 rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes. He went 9 of 14 from the field, 1 of 1 from 3-point range and 5 of 5 at the free-throw line.
Zach LaVine’s status
LaVine is Sacramento’s leading scorer, but he hasn’t actually led the team in scoring since putting up a season-high 42 points in a win over the Miami Heat on Dec. 6.
LaVine is averaging 19.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists, down from 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season. He is shooting 48.6% from the field and 39.6% from 3-point range.
If LaVine is unable to play against the Pistons, Kings coach Doug Christie will likely start Malik Monk or rookie Nique Clifford.
Cade Cunningham’s injury
Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate this season while leading Detroit to the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Cunningham averages 25.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.5 steals. However, he has struggled over his past four games, averaging 13.5 points while going 18 of 60 (.300) from the field and 2 of 18 (.111) from 3-point range.
Kings at Pistons
When: Noon
Where: Little Caesars Arena
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Pistons -12.5
Over/under: 226.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Zach LaVine (back). OUT — Keegan Murray (ankle); Daeqwon Plowden (G League); Isaiah Stevens (G League).
Pistons: Pistons: PROBABLE – Cade Cunningham (wrist). DOUBTFUL – Caris LeVert (illness). OUT – Isaac Jones (G League); Wendell Moore Jr. (G League); Tolu Smith (G League).