Kings-Bulls gameday live: Western Conference playoff watch after Suns’ loss; Sabonis baby

There was joyous news in Kings Land on Tuesday despite Monday’s 133-124 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Word of a new arrival spread on social media after All-Star center Domantas Sabonis and his wife revealed they are expecting their second child. Sabonis, who said he was looking for a permanent home after coming to the Kings in a blockbuster trade last season, seems to be establishing roots in Sacramento with free agency looming in the summer of 2024.

There was more good news for Sacramento on the scoreboard as the Kings (40-27) set out on a four-game road trip starting Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls (31-36) at United Center. The Kings remained third in the Western Conference behind the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies, but one of the teams ahead of them and four of the teams behind them lost Tuesday.

The Kings are five games behind top-seeded Denver and one game behind No. 2 Memphis. The Nuggets probably won’t be caught, but they’ve lost four in a row after falling 125-110 to the Toronto Raptors.

The Grizzlies have won three in a row to move one game ahead of the Kings for second. There is still no timetable for Ja Morant’s return after he entered a counseling program in Florida on Monday following a series of off-court incidents.

The Phoenix Suns suffered a 116-104 loss to the Bucks, giving Sacramento a four-game lead over No. 4 Phoenix. The Suns trail the Kings by five games in the loss column, so catching them over their last 13 games won’t be easy.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers also lost Tuesday, but neither team is a threat to Sacramento at this point. The Pelicans are one game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers for the last three play-in spots.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are seventh in the West with 13 games remaining. If they go 13-0, the Kings would have to go 9-6 to assure themselves of an automatic playoff bid as one of the top six seeds. The Timberwolves currently hold the tiebreaker over the Kings with a 2-1 lead in the season series, but the teams will meet one more time March 27 in Sacramento.

Caruso questionable

Bulls guard Alex Caruso is now listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Kings due to illness. Caruso is averaging 5.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Kings at Bulls

When: 5 p.m.

Where: United Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -1.0

Over/under: 239

Injury report

Bulls: QUESTIONABLE — Alex Caruso (illness). OUT — Lonzo Ball (knee); Javonte Green (knee); Justin Lewis (knee).

Kings: OUT — Keon Ellis (G League); Richaun Holmes (non-COVID illness); Neemias Queta (G League).

Upcoming schedule

March 15 at Chicago Bulls

March 16 at Brooklyn Nets

March 18 at Washington Wizards

March 20 at Utah Jazz

March 21 vs. Boston Celtics