Kings vs. Pelicans: Keegan Murray, Brandon Ingram injury news; scouting reports; playoffs
The Kings will open a season-ending three-game homestand when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at Golden 1 Center in a game with major playoff implications for both teams.
The Pelicans are trying to hold on to the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. The Kings have clinched a play-in spot, but they still have an outside chance of jumping to No. 6 to secure an automatic playoff berth.
The Kings are listing Keegan Murray as questionable due to left calf soreness. The Pelicans have ruled out Brandon Ingram, who is nearing a return from a bone bruise in his left knee. Ingram averages 20.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
The Pelicans (47-32) are coming off back-to-back wins over the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers. They are sixth in the West, a half-game ahead of the No. 7 Suns and two games ahead of the No. 8 Kings.
The Kings (45-34) have lost three of their last four games. They are just a half-game ahead of the No. 9 Los Angeles Lakers and one game ahead of the No. 10 Golden State Warriors. In order for the Kings to secure the No. 6 seed, they will have to go 3-0 over their last three games while the Pelicans go 0-3.
This will be the fifth and final meeting in a season series the Pelicans have dominated. The Pelicans beat the Kings 129-93 on Nov. 20, 117-112 on Nov. 22, 127-117 on Dec. 4 and 133-100 on Jan. 7.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings have transformed themselves into one of the best defensive teams in the league since the All-Star break, but they are struggling offensively with Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter out due to injuries.
Over the last 15 games, the Kings are fourth in the NBA in defensive rating (107.6), but they are 20th in offensive rating (111.9). Over that stretch, they are averaging 108.7 points while shooting 43.7% from the field and 35.2% from 3-point range.
De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals. Domantas Sabonis averages 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.2 assists while leading the league in rebounding, double-doubles (74) and triple-doubles (26).
Murray is averaging 15.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in his second season out of Iowa. Harrison Barnes averages 12.0 points. Trey Lyles averages 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds. Davion Mitchell has averaged 10.2 points while making 15 of 33 (.455) from 3-point range over the past nine games.
Scouting New Orleans
The Pelicans are No. 12 in the NBA in offensive rating (116.5) and No. 6 in defensive rating (111.7).
Zion Williamson is averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 57.6% from the field. Williamson has been relatively healthy this season, appearing in a career-high 67 games after being plagued by injuries over the past three years.
CJ McCollum averages 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He is shooting 45.5% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range on 8.3 attempts per game.
Trey Murphy III is averaging 14.4 points and 4.9 rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas averages 12.4 points and 8.9 rebounds. Herbert Jones is scoring 11.0 points per game while shooting 41.6% from 3-point range.
In or out
Murray has been cleared to play against the Pelicans. Backup center JaVale McGee has been ruled out due to illness.
Pelicans at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: TNT
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -1.5
Over/under: 218.5
Injury report
Pelicans: QUESTIONABLE — Naji Marshall (shoulder). OUT — Brandon Ingram (knee).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Jordan Ford (hip); Keegan Murray (calf). OUT — Kevin Huerter (shoulder); Malik Monk (knee).
Upcoming schedule
April 11 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
April 12 vs. Phoenix Suns
April 14 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
