Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie on Jan. 18, 2026, talks about the experience of being head coach. By HECTOR AMEZCUA
The Sacramento Kings went from a backcourt logjam to a sudden lack of ballhandlers as they prepare to face the Washington Wizards in the final game of a six-game road trip.
Starting point guard Russell Westbrook has been ruled out for Sunday’s game at Capital One Arena due to a right foot contusion. Backup point guard Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night as part of a three-team deal that will bring De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento.
Malik Monk, who started at point guard after De’Aaron Fox was traded last season, is questionable against the Wizards due to a right heel contusion. If Monk is unavailable, rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford and second-year guard Devin Carter could be called on to handle the bulk of the ballhandling duties in Sunday’s game.
The Kings officially announced the Hunter trade shortly before noon Sunday, but he probably won’t make his Kings debut until Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The Kings will see Schroder and Ellis again soon with the Cavaliers scheduled to visit Sacramento on Saturday.
The Kings (12-38) have the worst record in the NBA after losing eight in a row. They are 3-22 on the road this season and have not won a road game since Dec. 6.
The Wizards (12-35) won back-to-back games against the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks before suffering a 142-111 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. They are tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for the second-worst record in the NBA.
Here are three key storylines going into Sunday’s game.
Nique Clifford’s role
One of the reasons the Kings made the trade for Hunter was to alleviate the logjam in the backcourt, clearing the way for Clifford to get more playing time. The shooting guard spot is viewed as Clifford’s natural position, but he has demonstrated an ability to take on ballhandling and playmaking duties as well.
Clifford has logged more minutes over the past four games with mixed results. He scored 15 points against the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics but was held to two points on 1-of-7 shooting against the Philadelphia 76ers.
More trades coming?
Kings general manager Scott Perry isn’t done trying to reshape Sacramento’s roster ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Veterans Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis have all been discussed in trade talks, but it remains to be seen whether the Kings can find new homes for them before the deadline. LaVine was previously linked to the Milwaukee Bucks, but those talks have died now that the Bucks are looking to trade two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Alex Sarr’s status
The Wizards are listing second-year center Alex Sarr as questionable for Sunday’s game due to right calf soreness. Sarr, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, is averaging 17.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.1 blocks.
Kings at Wizards
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -2.5
Over/under: 228.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Keegan Murray (ankle); Russell Westbrook (foot). QUESTIONABLE — Malik Monk (heel).
Wizards: QUESTIONABLE — Alex Sarr (calf). OUT — Tre Johnson (ankle); Tristan Vukcevic (hamstring); Cam Whitmore (shoulder); Trae Young (knee, quad).