Kings vs. Knicks: Huerter has surgery; Randle, Anunoby, Hart injuries; scouting reports
The Kings will hit the road for the final time during the regular season when they open a four-game trip against the New York Knicks on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
Both teams are dealing with injuries as they fight for playoff position with seven games remaining. The Kings are missing Malik Monk, who is expected to miss four to six weeks with a right MCL sprain, and Kevin Huerter, who underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair a torn labrum.
The Knicks are missing Julius Randle, who has been out since Jan. 27 with a dislocated right shoulder, and OG Anunoby, who is out with right elbow tendinopathy. Josh Hart (right wrist sprain) and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle management) are questionable for Thursday’s game. ESPN reported Thursday that Randle, after two months of rehabilitation, will undergo season-ending surgery.
The Kings (44-31) are seventh in the Western Conference playoff race, a half-game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 6 seed. They suffered two costly losses to the Dallas Mavericks before beating the Utah Jazz on Sunday and the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
The Knicks (44-31) have fallen to fifth in the Eastern Conference after losing three in a row to the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat. They suffered a 130-126 overtime loss to the Spurs on Friday despite a 61-point game from Jalen Brunson.
This will be the second and final meeting between the Kings and Knicks this season. Brunson scored 42 points in a tough, physical and hard-fought 98-91 victory over the Kings on March 16 in Sacramento.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings have answered coach Mike Brown’s yearlong call for defense in recent weeks.
They ranked 18th in defensive rating before the All-Star break (116.1) and 22nd in February (118.0). They ranked seventh in March (110.8) and fifth over the past 15 games (109.1).
De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.0 steals. Over the past 15 games, he is averaging 21.1 points while shooting 43.2% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range.
Domantas Sabonis averages 19.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He leads the league in rebounding, double-doubles (71) and triple-doubles (26) and has recorded 58 consecutive double-doubles, the longest single-season streak since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.
With Huerter (10.2 ppg) and Monk (15.4 ppg) out due to injuries, Brown expects Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes to get more field-goal attempts. Murray is averaging 15.1 points while shooting 46.3% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. Barnes is averaging 12.4 points, shooting 48.1% overall and 39.9% from beyond the arc.
Scouting New York
Brunson averages 27.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists while shooting 47.5% from the field and 39.7% from long distance. He is fifth in the NBA in scoring. Over the past 12 games, he is No. 1, averaging 30.7 points per game.
The Knicks have missed Randle, who averages 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists. They are also missing Anunoby (14.5 ppg), who hasn’t played since being held to two points on 1-of-8 shooting in the March 16 win over Sacramento.
Donte DiVincenzo averages 15.2 points while hitting 39.8% from 3-point range. Hart averages 8.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Kings at Knicks
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Madison Square Garden
TV: TNT
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Knicks -3.5
Over/under: 215.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Kevin Huerter (shoulder); Mason Jones (G League); Malik Monk (knee); Jalen Slawson (G League).
Knicks: QUESTIONABLE — Josh Hart (wrist); Mitchell Robinson (ankle). OUT — OG Anunoby (elbow); Julius Randle (shoulder).
Upcoming schedule
April 4 at New York Knicks
April 5 at Boston Celtics
April 7 at Brooklyn Nets
April 9 at Oklahoma City Thunder
April 11 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
