The Sacramento Kings and LA Lakers will face each other for the fourth and final time this season on Saturday at the Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers have won the season series and will be keen on a series sweep. The Kings are on a five-game losing streak, so it’s a realistic proposition.
Sacramento is also facing major changes ahead of this matchup after coach Mike Brown got fired on Friday. Assistant Doug Christie will take over the reins in the interim as the franchise looks for a new man for the job.
The Lakers’ defense turned out dominant when the teams last met in a two-game mini-series in Sacramento on Dec. 19 and Dec. 21, holding the Kings to 100 points in the first contest and 99 in the next. The Lakers will look to count on that again amid their offensive struggles.
Meanwhile, the Kings would hope to counter that with a clinical effort. Their frequent miscues on both ends have cost them games, including their most recent loss against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday.
De’Aaron Fox left Jaden Ivey wide open in the corner on the last possession with a three-point lead. He also fouled Ivey, gifting Detroit a four-point play and, ultimately, the win from an impossible situation.
Kings injury report
The Kings have listed Domantas Sabonis as questionable with an illness. Devin Carter, Isaiah Crawford and Mason Jones are out on G League assignments.
Lakers injury report
The Lakers have listed Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura as questionable, while D’Angelo Russell is probable to play. Davis is dealing with a left ankle sprain, and Hachimura and LeBron are down with illness. Hayes is in contention to return after a lengthy hiatus, citing a right ankle sprain. Russell is dealing with a left thumb sprain injury.
Jalen Hood-Schifino is out with a hamstring issue. Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood are still sidelined, recovering from surgeries on their foot and knee, respectively. Bronny James and Maxwell Lewis are on G League duties.
Kings starting lineup and depth chart
The Kings will start De’Aaro Fox and Malik Monk in the backcourt. DeMar DeRozan and Keegan Murray will complete the rest of the lineup next to Domantas Sabonis. If Sabonis sits out, Alex Len will start for the second consecutive game.
PG De’Aaron Fox Jordan McLaughlin
SG Malik Monk Keon Ellis
SF DeMar DeRozan Kevin Huerter Colby Jones
PF Keegan Murray Trey Lyles Jae Crowder
C Domantas Sabonis* Alex Len Isaac Jones
Lakers starting lineup and depth chart
The Lakers will start Austin Reaves and Max Christie in the backcourt. LeBron James and Rui Hachimura will play as the forwards, with Anthony Davis at center. Cam Reddish, Dalton Knecht, Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko could be among the alternative starters if either LeBron, Hachimura, or Davis are out.
PG Austin Reaves D’Angelo Russell*
SG Max Christie Gabe Vincent Quincy Olivari
SF Rui Hachimura* Cam Reddish Dalton Knecht
PF LeBron James* Christian Koloko Armel Traore
C Anthony Davis* Jaxson Hayes
