Zach LaVine will be back in the lineup when the Sacramento Kings visit the Philadelphia 76ers, but Russell Westbrook and possibly Malik Monk will be sidelined due to injuries.
Westbrook has has been ruled out and Monk is questionable for Thursday’s game at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Westbrook is experiencing right foot soreness. Monk is still dealing with the right ankle soreness that caused him to miss Tuesday’s game against the New York Knicks.
The Kings (12-36) have lost six in a row as they prepare for the fourth game of a six-game road trip. They have the second-worst record in the Western Conference and are now tied for the third-worst record in the NBA.
The 76ers (26-21) had lost five of seven before beating the Milwaukee Bucks 139-122 on Tuesday. They are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a one-game lead over the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat for the final automatic playoff berth in the East.
Here are three key storylines going into Thursday’s game.
Zach LaVine’s return
LaVine is set to return after missing the past two games due to lower back soreness. The Kings were held to 87 points in Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks with LaVine and Monk out due to injuries.
LaVine leads the Kings in scoring at 19.5 points per game, but he hasn’t actually led the team in scoring in a game since putting up a season-high 42 points in a Dec. 6 win over the Miami Heat. LaVine is shooting 38.9% from 3-point range this season. He has hit 43.3% from beyond the arc over 11 games in January.
Status of Westbrook and Monk
Dennis Schroder will likely start at point guard with Westbrook out. Westbrook is averaging 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists while shooting 35% from 3-point range. He has struggled over the past five games, going 10 of 36 (.277) from beyond the arc with 20 turnovers.
Monk is averaging 12.5 points per game while shooting 45% from the field and a career-high 42.7% from 3-point range. He has made 19 of 37 (.514) from long distance over the past five games.
Stopping Maxey and Embiid
The Kings will have their hands full with 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and center Joel Embiid, one of the most formidable duos in the NBA.
Maxey averages 29.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.0 steals. Embiid averages 25.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 blocks.
Kings at 76ers
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: 76ers -11.5
Over/under: 230.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Malik Monk (ankle). OUT — Keegan Murray (ankle); Daeqwon Plowden (G League); Isaiah Stevens (G League); Russell Westbrook (foot).
76ers: AVAILABLE — Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee). PROBABLE — Paul George (knee). QUESTIONABLE — Quentin Grimes (ankle). DOUBTFUL — Charles Bassey (G League); Marlon Beauchamp (G League); Johni Broome (G League).