The Kings will try to snap a four-game losing streak when they play host to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Kings won’t have to worry about defending Ja Morant, who will miss his second game in a row due to left hamstring soreness. Kings forward Trey Lyles is questionable due to lower back soreness, but All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis is not on the injury report after aggravating a hamstring injury in Friday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns.
The Kings (33-33) are ninth in the Western Conference playoff race with little hope of avoiding the play-in tournament. They are 5 ½ games behind the Golden State Warriors for the No. 6 seed with 16 games remaining.
The Grizzlies (43-25) are fourth in the West with the same record as the No. 2 Houston Rockets and No. 3 Denver Nuggets. They have won five of their last six games.
Here are three things to watch in Monday’s game.
Zach Attack
The Kings need Zach LaVine to come out on the attack against a Memphis defense that ranks sixth in opponent field-goal percentage (.455), 10th in defensive rating (111.8) and 11th in opponent 3-point percentage (.356).
Over a recent seven-game stretch, LaVine averaged 27.4 points while attempting 17.9 shots per game, but over the past three games he averaged 17.3 points while attempting a total of 29 shots. He had a season-low six field-goal attempts in Thursday’s 130-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Another key for the Kings could be DeMar DeRozan and his ability to get to the free-throw line. The Grizzlies are 29th in the NBA in opponent free-throw attempts (24.5).
Welcome home
Former Folsom High School star Jaylen Wells is having a stellar rookie season for the Grizzlies after coming out of Washington State as the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
Wells is among the leading Rookie of the Year candidates along with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, the No. 4 pick in the draft, and Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher, who was the No. 1 pick.
Wells has started 63 games for Memphis, averaging 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 43.3% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. He scored a career-high 30 points in a 138-133 loss to the Kings on Jan. 3 in Sacramento, going 11 of 16 from the field and 8 of 9 from beyond the arc.
Memphis’ injuries
The Grizzlies could be missing as many as three key rotation players.
Morant, who has been ruled out due to the hamstring injury, is averaging 22.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.2 steals. Morant scored 44 points in Friday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 31.3 points over his last six games.
Santa Aldama, who is doubtful with a right calf strain, averages 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Scotty Pippen Jr., who is questionable due to left wrist soreness, averages 9.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals.
Grizzlies at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -2.5
Over/under: 240.5
Injury report
Grizzlies: QUESTIONABLE — Scott Pippen Jr. (wrist). DOUBTFUL — Santi Aldama (calf). OUT — Yuki Kawamura (G League); Ja Morant (hamstring); Zyon Pullin (knee).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Trey Lyles (back). OUT — Mason Jones (G League).