Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Posts another double-double
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Sabonis provided 34 points (14-24 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-8 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one block across 39 minutes during Friday's 124-110 loss to Minnesota.
Sabonis remains extremely consistent on both ends of the floor and recorded a double-double, his eighth of the season, after not reaching that feat in his previous two contests. The 34-point output was also a season-high mark for the big man, who managed to bounce back admirably after two below-average showings against the Nuggets and Hawks on a back-to-back set Nov. 11 and Nov. 12. Sabonis' scoring numbers might not be where they were last season, but his outstanding ability to rack up stats and tendency to gather double-doubles with ease should make him an appealing fantasy option across all slates until further notice.
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Kings' Zach LaVine: Scores 25 points vs. Minny
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LaVine logged 25 points (8-17 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 36 minutes during Friday's 124-110 loss to Minnesota.
Russell Westbrook and Domantas Sabonis might have stolen the headlines in what was another defeat for the Kings, but LaVine posted another strong showing as a reliable scoring weapon on a struggling team. This was LaVine's seventh game with at least 25 points in his 11 appearances this season, and his role as one of the Kings' go-to options on offense won't change no matter how much the team struggles. This was also a big bounce-back performance for LaVine, who had scored no more than 15 points in three of his previous four outings.
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Kings' Russell Westbrook: Triple-doubles, makes history
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Westbrook provided 13 points (5-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-4 FT), 10 rebounds and 14 assists over 31 minutes during Friday's 124-110 loss to the Timberwolves.
Head coach Doug Christie started Westbrook in place of Dennis Schroder in this game, and while the Kings suffered another defeat, Westbrook delivered a vintage performance while posting his second triple-double of the campaign. As if that wasn't enough, Westbrook also became the ninth player in NBA history to record 10,000 career assists and only the second with 25,000 points as well, joining LeBron James (back) in that exclusive list. Westbrook should experience an uptick in his fantasy value as long as he remains in a starting role due to his ability to rack up stats with ease.
Monk (ankle) is available for Friday's game Minnesota, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.
Monk is battling ankle soreness, but he's bringing his stay off the floor to a one-game minimum after missing Wednesday's contest against the Hawks. The swingman shouldn't have any restrictions Friday. On the campaign, Monk has averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 steals during 24.8 minutes per contest in nine games.
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Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Good to go
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Sabonis (ribs) will play in Friday's game against the Timberwolves, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.
Sabonis is dealing with a lingering rib injury, but managed to participate in shootaround Friday morning. The star center has now been upgraded to available. After opening the season with seven consecutive double-doubles, Sabonis has failed to hit the milestone in back-to-back games. However, he played only 26 minutes in each contest, once because of foul trouble and once because of a blowout.
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Kings' Dennis Schroder: Losing starting job
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Schroder will be replaced by Russell Westbrook in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Timberwolves, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
Schroder had started in each of Sacramento's first 12 games of the season, averaging 11.3 points, 6.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 38/30/85 shooting splits. But with the Kings having lost four straight games by at least 14 points, head coach Doug Christie is shaking up the starting lineup. It appears as though the change isn't temporary, either, which could significantly decrease Schroder's fantasy value.
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Kings' Russell Westbrook: Starting Friday
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Westbrook will replace Dennis Schroder in the starting lineup for Friday's matchup in Minnesota, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
It appears Westbrook has beaten out Schroder for the starting point guard position in Sacramento, so his arrow is pointing up. Across six starts this season, Westbrook has compiled averages of 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.8 triples, 1.2 steals and 3.8 turnovers per game.
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Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Goes through shootaround
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Sabonis (ribs) participated in Friday's morning shootaround, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Sabonis remains listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Timberwolves, but his availability at the morning shootaround bodes well for his status. Sabonis holds regular-season averages of 15.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists across nine appearances.
Monk (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.
Monk is in jeopardy of missing his second consecutive contest due to left ankle soreness. If the veteran guard is ultimately ruled out, Nique Clifford, Keon Ellis and Devin Carter are candidates for an uptick in minutes. Over his last five outings, Monk has averaged 13.0 points, 2.2 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per game.
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Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Iffy for Friday
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Sabonis (ribs) is questionable for Friday's game against Minnesota.
Sabonis missed a pair of games with a ribcage contusion earlier in the month, and the Kings continue to monitor his health. The superstar big man could go through pregame warmups before Sacramento clarifies his status. If Sabonis is unable to give it a go, Precious Achiuwa and Drew Eubanks would likely fill out the majority of the center minutes Friday.
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Kings' Zach LaVine: Not listed on injury report
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LaVine (thigh) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Friday's game in Minnesota.
LaVine missed the second leg of a back-to-back set Wednesday with a minor thigh issue, but he'll be back out there with his usual minutes Friday night. His return should result in Russell Westbrook heading back to the second unit, while Keon Ellis will likely see a reduction in minutes.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Sees 31 minutes in blowout
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Clifford had nine points (3-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and four assists over 31 minutes during Wednesday's 133-100 loss to Atlanta.
For the second time this season, the rookie was able to eclipse 30 minutes. Zach LaVine (thigh) missed this contest, and the score quickly got out of hand, which allowed Clifford to see extended run. With averages of 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.8 three-pointers in 21.9 minutes on 35.4 percent shooting from the field, Clifford still has some work to do before many fantasy managers need to look his way.
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Kings' Keon Ellis: Improved performance in loss
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Ellis logged 20 points (7-14 FG, 6-11 3Pt), one assist and two steals in 31 minutes during Wednesday's 133-100 loss to Atlanta.
Ellis finally found some rhythm on the offensive end, scoring a season-high 20 points. With Zach LaVine (thigh) and Malik Monk (ankle) both sidelined, it was Ellis who took full advantage. While this was an encouraging performance, we would need to see much more of this before declaring him a sustainable fantasy asset.
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Kings' Russell Westbrook: Flops in start
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Westbrook produced 10 points (4-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and three assists across 22 minutes during Wednesday's 133-100 loss to the Hawks.
Westbrook was a non-factor in the loss, delivering one of his worst performances of the season despite moving back into the starting lineup due to Zach LaVine's (thigh) absence. The Kings are struggling right now, having lost eight of the last 10 games. Although Westbrook has been able to put up viable fantasy production, his role is far from guaranteed, making him a hard player to trust moving forward.
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Kings' Doug McDermott: Cracks rotation Wednesday
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McDermott ended with six points (2-3 FG, 2-3 3Pt) across eight minutes during Wednesday's 133-100 loss to the Hawks.
McDermott saw action for the first time this season, an indication of how bad things are right now in Sacramento. The veteran has never really been a viable fantasy asset, and at this point, he would need a miracle for that to change.
Westbrook is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Hawks, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.
Westbrook is getting the start with Zach LaVine (thigh) unavailable, and he'll be joined in the first unit by DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroder, Precious Achiuwa and Domantas Sabonis. Through five starts this season, Westbrook has compiled averages of 20.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 3.2 triples, 1.4 steals and 4.0 turnovers per contest.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Won't play Wednesday
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Monk (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Hawks, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Monk was deemed questionable for the contest due to left ankle soreness, and he'll wind up taking a seat. With Zach LaVine (thigh) sidelined, Russell Westbrook and Keon Ellis could see more action. Monk's next chance to play will come Friday against the Timberwolves.
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