Kings vs. Lakers: LeBron James, Anthony Davis injury news; playoff race; scouting reports

Jason Anderson
·4 min read
22
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

The Kings have a chance to complete a season sweep of their Southern California rivals when they play host to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center, but they might be missing one of their best players.

The Kings (37-27) will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Milwaukee Bucks 129-94 on Tuesday in one of their best wins of the season. They won’t submit an injury report until Wednesday afternoon, but Keegan Murray could be out for the second night in a row after missing Tuesday’s game with a left ankle sprain. Sasha Vezenkov remains out after suffering a right ankle sprain on Feb. 9.

The Lakers (36-30) are listing LeBron James as questionable due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, but he has appeared in 57 games this season and is unlikely to miss this one against the Kings. Anthony Davis is probable despite an ongoing case of bilateral Achilles tendinopathy. Colin Castleton (right wrist fracture), Cam Reddish (right ankle sprain), Jarred Vanderbilt (right midfoot sprain), Gabe Vincent (left knee surgery) and Christian Wood (left knee effusion) are out.

This will be the fourth and final meeting between the Kings and Lakers. The Kings are 3-0 against Lakers this season, including a 130-120 victory on March 6 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Kings have won four in a row, seven of eight and 11 of 15 against the Lakers dating back to 2020.

Scouting Sacramento

The Kings are seventh in the Western Conference, a half-game behind the Phoenix Suns for sixth and a half-game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks for eighth.

De’Aaron Fox was eighth in the NBA in scoring going into Tuesday’s game against the Bucks. He was averaging 27.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals.

Domantas Sabonis averages 20.1 points, 13.5 rebounds and 8.4 assists. He has recorded a single-season franchise record 47 consecutive double-doubles and continues to lead the league in rebounding, double-doubles (60) and triple-doubles (22).

Malik Monk is putting up 15.7 points and 5.3 assists per game. Murray averages 14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals. The Kings started Keon Ellis in a three-guard lineup with Murray out against the Bucks.

Harrison Barnes is averaging 12.1 points while shooting 48.4% from the field and 39.4% from 3-point range. Kevin Huerter averages 10.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 44.6% from the field and 36.3% from 3-point range.

Scouting Los Angeles

The Lakers have won nine of their last 13 games to move a half-game ahead of the Golden State Warriors for ninth in the Western Conference. They are two games behind the Kings for seventh and 1 ½ games behind the Dallas Mavericks for eighth.

James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, is averaging 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists in his 21st season. He is shooting 53% from the field and 40.7% from 3-point range.

Davis averages 24.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 blocks. D’Angelo Russell is averaging 18.0 points and 6.2 assists.

Austin Reaves averages 15.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Rui Hachimura is averaging 12.5 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 51.7% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range.

Status updates

There were two names on Sacramento’s injury report Wednesday as they prepared to face the Lakers.

Trey Lyles is out after suffering a left knee sprain in Tuesday’s win over the Bucks. Kevin Huerter is questionable with a right leg contusion.

Murray is questionable due to the ankle injury that caused him to miss Tuesday’s game. Vezenkov is still out with his ankle injury.

In and out

Murray has been cleared to play against the Lakers. Huerter has been ruled out.

Lakers at Kings

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: ESPN

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Lakers -1.5

Over/under: 238.5

Injury report

Lakers: PROBABLE — Anthony Davis (Achilles). QUESTIONABLE — LeBron James (ankle). OUT — Colin Castleton (wrist); Jalen Hood-Schifino (G League); Cam Reddish (ankle); Jarred Vanderbilt (foot); Gabe Vincent (knee); Christian Wood (knee).

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Kevin Huerter (leg); Keegan Murray (ankle). OUT — Trey Lyles (knee); Sasha Vezenkov (ankle).

Upcoming schedule

March 13 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

March 16 vs. New York Knicks

March 18 vs. Memphis Grizzlies

March 20 at Toronto Raptors

March 21 at Washington Wizards