Kings vs. Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Keegan Murray injury updates; scouting reports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to be back in the lineup when the Kings conclude a four-game road trip against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday at Paycom Center, but Keegan Murray’s status is in doubt.

The Kings are listing Murray as questionable due to left calf soreness, adding another layer to their injury woes with Kevin Huerter out for the season with a torn labrum and Malik Monk out for at least four weeks with a right MCL sprain.

The Kings (45-33) are likely facing a series of must-win games if they hope to secure the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference and avoid the play-in tournament. They are eighth in the West, one game behind the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 6 seed. The Los Angeles Lakers are a half-game back in ninth followed by the Golden State Warriors in 10th.

The Thunder (53-25) is third in the West, one game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets in the race for the No. 1 seed. Oklahoma City had lost three in a row before beating the Charlotte Hornets 121-118 on Sunday to end a five-game road trip.

Gilgeous-Alexander has missed six of the last seven games with a right quad contusion, but he was not listed on the injury report for Tuesday’s game against the Kings. Jalen Williams is questionable after missing the past four games with a left ankle sprain. Gordon Hayward is out with a left posterior tibialis strain.

This will be the fourth and final meeting between the Kings and Thunder. The Kings beat the Thunder 105-98 on Nov. 10 and 128-123 on Dec. 14 in Sacramento. The Thunder prevailed 127-113 on Feb. 11 in Oklahoma City.

Scouting Sacramento

De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals. He is shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.5% from 3-point range. He is second in the NBA in steals and deflections (3.6).

Domantas Sabonis averages 19.5 points, 13.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He leads the league in rebounding, double-doubles (74) and triple-doubles (26). He has posted 61 consecutive double-doubles, the longest single-season streak since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.

The Kings are No. 3 in the NBA in defensive rating over the past 15 games (106.5), but they are looking for ways to replace the production of Huerter and Monk, who combined for 21.1 field-goal attempts and 25.6 points per game. Missing Murray, who averages 15.1 points and 5.4 rebounds, would be another big blow to Sacramento’s offense.

Harrison Barnes is averaging 12.0 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 47.6% from the field and 39.2% from 3-point range. However, over the past four games, he scored a total of 18 points on 6-of-22 shooting from the field and 4-of-16 shooting from 3-point range. He had two points in 11 minutes in Sunday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets after going scoreless in 15 minutes in Thursday’s loss to the New York Knicks.

Scouting Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City is No. 3 in the NBA in scoring (119.8), No. 4 in offensive rating (118.3) and No. 6 in defensive rating (112.1).

Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as an MVP candidate in his sixth season out of Kentucky. The 6-foot-6 point guard is averaging 30.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 53.9% from the field and 36.5% from 3-point range.

Williams is Oklahoma City’s second-leading scorer in his second season out of Santa Clara. He is averaging 19.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 43.1% from beyond the arc.

Chet Holmgren, a 7-1 rookie who came out of Gonzaga as the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, averages 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. He is a 36.9% 3-point shooter.

Josh Giddey averages 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Luguentz Dort averages 10.9 points and 3.7 rebounds.

Keegan Murray update

Murray has been upgraded to available for Tuesday’s game against Oklahoma City. Over the past 10 games, Murray has averaged 18.1 points while shooting 47.3% from the field and 39.3% from 3-point range.

Kings at Thunder

When: 5 p.m.

Where: Paycom Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Thunder -3.5

Over/under: 228.5

Injury report

Kings: OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Kevin Huerter (shoulder); Mason Jones (G League); Malik Monk (knee); Jalen Slawson (G League).

Thunder: Thunder: QUESTIONABLE — Jalen Williams (ankle). OUT — Ousmane Dieng (G League); Adam Flagler (G League); Gordon Hayward (leg); Keyontae Johnson (G League); Olivier Sarr (G League).

Upcoming schedule

April 9 at Oklahoma City Thunder

April 11 vs. New Orleans Pelicans

April 12 vs. Phoenix Suns

April 14 vs. Portland Trail Blazers