The Sacramento Kings return home to face the surging Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento has struggled recently, losing seven of its last 10 games, including a third straight defeat against the Boston Celtics.
Meanwhile, the Thunder come in on a six-game winning streak and have won nine of their last 10. With the Kings fighting for their playoff lives, they’ll need to turn things around quickly, but facing a red-hot Oklahoma City team on the second night of a back-to-back won’t be easy.
Adding to their challenges, Sacramento may be without key players, as Malik Monk, Devin Carter, and Doug McDermott are all listed as questionable for Tuesday’s matchup.
All three Kings players—Monk, Carter, and McDermott—missed Monday’s game against the Celtics, with Monk and Carter battling an illness and McDermott dealing with an elbow injury. If they remain sidelined, Keon Ellis is expected to stay in the starting lineup for Monk, while Markelle Fultz could see an expanded role off the bench.
Additionally, Sacramento might be without Domantas Sabonis on Tuesday, despite his absence from the injury report. Sabonis returned Monday after missing a week with an ankle injury, and with Tuesday being the second game of a back-to-back, the Kings could opt to sit him for injury management. If that happens, Jonas Valanciunas would likely step into the starting lineup again.
Meanwhile, the Thunder also have injury concerns, as key players Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are both listed as questionable due to hip injuries.
Oklahoma City has also ruled out Ousmane Dieng, Alex Ducas, Nikola Topic, and Ajay Mitchell for Tuesday’s matchup against the Kings.
Fans can catch the game at 10:00 p.m. EST on TNT.