The Phoenix Suns enter Friday's matchup with the Sacramento Kings desperately needing to pick up a victory to stay in the hunt for the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference.
Phoenix has dropped their last two games and have won only three of their last 10 contests. They still sit only two and a half games back of the Dallas Mavericks for the final Play-In spot in the West, but they desperately need to turn things around with the regular season winding down.
The good news for the Suns is that the Kings also enter Friday's matchup amid a rough stretch as they have lost three consecutive games including a blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
While both teams have struggled recently, the Kings will have a major health advantage in Friday's matchup as the Suns have listed four players on their injury report.
Phoenix has listed Grayson Allen and Monte Morris as doubtful for Friday's game and they have also listed Cody Martin and Nick Richards as questionable.
Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) dunks in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. David Richard-Imagn Images David Richard-Imagn Images
Of course, Allen and Richards were held out of Wednesday's loss to the Houston Rockets and they are both in danger of missing their second consecutive contest on Friday.
If Allen and Richards are sidelined against Sacramento, it would be a major blow for Phoenix. Richards has played well as the Suns' starting center since they acquired him ahead of the deadline and Allen has been one of their most productive players off the bench.
Expect Mason Plumlee to start in place of Richards if he is ruled out and if Allen is ruled out, Ryan Dunn and Tyus Jones should see an increase in minutes.
On the other side, the Kings have just one player listed on their injury report in Domantas Sabonis, who ahs been listed as questionable.
It is expected that Sabonis suits up for Sacramento on Friday after sitting out his sixth consecutive contest on Thursday, but if he is sidelined, expect Jonas Valanciunas to remain in the starting lineup.
Fans can catch Friday's game between the Kings and Suns at 10:00 p.m. EST.
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This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM.