Kings vs. Wizards: Western Conference playoff race, injury updates and scouting reports
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The Kings will be seeking their third consecutive victory when they face the Washington Wizards on Thursday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The Kings will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back after opening a three-game road trip with a 123-89 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. The Kings have held three of their last five opponents under 100 points. They are No. 2 in the NBA in defensive rating over the past six games (101.2) and No. 4 over the past 10 games (108.5).
Forward Sasha Vezenkov could suit up for Sacramento for the first time since Feb. 9 after missing more than five weeks with a right ankle sprain. Kevin Huerter (dislocated shoulder) and Trey Lyles (left knee sprain) are out.
The Wizards are listing Deni Avdija as questionable due to a right knee contusion. Marvin Bagley III (back), Bilal Coulibaly (wrist), Tyus Jones (back), Isaiah Livers (hip), Eugene Omoruyi (ankle) and Landry Shamet (calf) are out.
The Kings (40-28) are sixth in the Western Conference playoff race. They are a half-game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, 3 ½ games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and four games ahead of the Golden State Warriors.
The Wizards (11-58) are last in the Eastern Conference. They have the worst record in the NBA.
This will be the second and final meeting between the Kings and Wizards. De’Aaron Fox scored 30 points to lead the Kings to a 143-131 victory over the Wizards on Dec. 18 in Sacramento.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings have won four of five and six of eight to move 12 games over .500 for the first time this season.
Fox is averaging 26.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals in his seventh season out of Kentucky. He is 10th in the NBA in scoring.
Sabonis averages 20.1 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He continues to lead the league in rebounding, double-doubles (64) and triple-doubles (24).
Sabonis recorded his 51st consecutive double-double in Wednesday’s win over the Raptors. He needs three more to break Kevin Love’s record (53) for the most consecutive double-doubles since the NBA-ABA merger.
Malik Monk, a leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year, is averaging 15.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Keegan Murray (14.7 points, 5.4 rebounds), Harrison Barnes (10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists) and Huerter (10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists) are also scoring in double figures.
Keon Ellis is starting at shooting guard with Huerter out due to injury. The Kings are 7-0 this season with Ellis in the starting lineup.
Scouting Washington
The Wizards have lost five in a row and 21 of their last 23 dating back to Jan. 31.
Kyle Kuzma is averaging 22.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He is shooting 46.5% from the field and 33.6% from 3-point range on 6.6 attempts per game.
Jordan Poole averages 16.7 points and 3.8 assists. He is shooting just 40.9% from the field and 32.4% from beyond the arc.
Status update
Avdija has been cleared to play in Thursday’s game against the Kings. Avdija is the team’s third-leading scorer. He is averaging 14.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists while converting 51.2% from the field and 38.8% from long distance.
Ruled out
Vezenkov has been ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Wizards.
Kings at Wizards
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Capital 1 Arena
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -10.5
Over/under: 238.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Sasha Vezenkov (ankle). OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Kevin Huerter (shoulder); Mason Jones (G League); Trey Lyles (knee).
Wizards: QUESTIONABLE — Deni Avdija (knee); Richaun Holmes (illness). OUT — Marvin Bagley III (back); Bilal Coulibaly (wrist); Tyus Jones (back); Isaiah Livers (hip); Eugene Omoruyi (ankle); Landry Shamet (calf).
Upcoming schedule
March 21 at Washington Wizards
March 23 at Orlando Magic
March 25 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
March 26 vs. Dallas Mavericks
March 29 vs. Dallas Mavericks
