Kings-Warriors gameday: Kevin Huerter discusses struggles and ‘tough part’ of NBA life

Kings guard Kevin Huerter broke out of his funk in Sunday’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He’ll try to build on that performance when the Kings visit the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Huerter opened up about his recent struggles and the “tough part” of NBA life after playing a huge role in a 122-114 overtime win over the Lakers in front of a supportive home crowd at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Huerter had 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots, helping the Kings win after Domantas Sabonis fouled out and De’Aaron Fox left the game with an injury.

Huerter made 3 of 7 from 3-point range, including a crucial one to put the Kings up by five with 32 seconds to play in overtime.

“You could probably see the expression on my face,” Huerter said. “It’s really not a secret. Definitely still finding my rhythm. … Obviously that last one, small victories is what you look for in a long season, and this was definitely a small victory.”

Huerter has been under pressure since training camp began with coach Mike Brown demanding more physicality and defense from a team that finished 24th in defensive rating, 25th in scoring defense and 30th in pick-and-roll defense last season. Brown started Chris Duarte at Huerter’s position in one preseason game, but Duarte suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss the last two preseason games.

Huerter is working hard to give Brown what he wants on defense, but he has struggled offensively. He shot 32.4% from the field and 22.7% from 3-point range during the preseason before going 3 of 14 from the field and 1 of 10 from long distance in the first two games of the regular season.

Huerter admitted the past couple of weeks have been difficult for him.

“Yeah, it’s the tough part about this life,” Huerter said. “A lot of times, and it’s probably something I need to get better at, your happiness in a lot of ways is dictated based on how you perform on the court in front of everybody else. … The last couple of weeks has definitely been a lot of ups and downs, for sure.”

Teammates such as Fox and Keegan Murray encouraged Huerter — who averaged a career-high 15.2 points while shooting a career-best 40.2% from 3-point range last season — to keep shooting.

“Those weren’t the only guys,” Huerter said. “There were a lot of people behind the scenes that have been texting me, coaches reaching out, players obviously reaching out, people just encouraging me. We’ve got a high-character locker room, so everyone supports each other, but sometimes when you’re going through stuff you need to hear that.

“You get to this level, obviously you’re used to playing a certain way, and your confidence can kind of go up and down over the course of the season. Everybody needs encouragement from teammates, knowing you’re going to get back to yourself.”

Kings injury updates

The Kings have ruled out Fox and Trey Lyles due to injuries. Fox went down with a moderate right ankle sprain in Sunday’s win over the Lakers. Lyles has been out since suffering a left calf strain during warmups before an Oct. 18 preseason game against the Warriors.

Lyles did not participate in Tuesday’s practice, but he looked good during a lengthy series of shooting drills afterward. Lyles said he hopes to return to practice Thursday. He could make his season debut while the Kings are in Texas for a two-game set against the Houston Rockets on Saturday and Monday.

Warriors injury updates

The Warriors are listing Jonathan Kuminga as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Kings due to a left knee contusion. Dario Saric (right hip contusion) and Klay Thompson (right knee soreness) are probable.

Kings at Warriors

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Chase Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Warriors -7.0

Over/under: 234.5

Injury report

Kings: OUT — De’Aaron Fox (ankle); Trey Lyles (calf).

Warriors: PROBABLE — Dario Saric (hip); Klay Thompson (knee). QUESTIONABLE — Jonathan Kuminga (knee).

Upcoming schedule

Nov. 1 at Golden State Warriors

Nov. 4 at Houston Rockets

Nov. 6 at Houston Rockets

Nov. 8 vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Nov. 10 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder