Kings-Rockets gameday live: Injuries to De’Aaron Fox, Trey Lyles test Sacramento’s depth

The Kings added depth over the summer and they’re already putting it to use with De’Aaron Fox and Trey Lyles out due to injuries.

Fox and Lyles have both been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Fox, who had his jersey retired Friday night at Cypress Lakes High School in nearby Katy, Texas, will miss his second game after going down with a moderate right ankle sprain in Sunday’s overtime victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. Lyles has yet to make his regular season debut after suffering a left calf strain before a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors.

Kings coach Mike Brown is testing his team’s depth without two players who helped Sacramento go to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference last season. Fox is an All-NBA point guard who is gaining notoriety as one of the league’s most dynamic players. Lyles is a veteran forward who played a key role as a reserve last season.

Davion Mitchell is expected to start in place of Fox again Saturday when the Kings (2-2) play the Rockets (1-3) in the first of two games in Houston. Sasha Vezenkov will get another opportunity to earn extended minutes off the bench in place of Lyles.

Mitchell had 13 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals in Wednesday’s 102-101 loss to the Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco. He made 5 of 9 field-goal attempts and 3 of 6 from 3-point range, filling in nicely for Fox.

Vezenkov was held to two points on 1-of-6 shooting in the loss to Golden State, but he contributed five rebounds in 17 minutes. In the first three games of the season, Vezenkov averaged 9.7 points while making 11 of 22 (.500) from the field and 6 of 15 (.400) from 3-point range, looking much more comfortable than he did in the preseason.

The Kings provided a medical update on Lyles on Friday as they headed to Houston to play the Rockets. They said Lyles is progressing through return-to-play protocol, but he did not travel with the team and has been ruled out for both games in Houston. Fox’s status for Monday’s game against the Rockets could end up being a game-time decision.

Another player who is getting an opportunity with Fox out of the lineup is rookie guard Colby Jones, a second-round draft pick from Xavier. Jones had four points on 2-of-4 shooting with three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot in 17 minutes against the Warriors on Wednesday.

Rockets report

The Rockets lost their first three games before beating the Charlotte Hornets 128-119 on Wednesday. Third-year guard Jalen Green, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, scored 23 points in that game. Fred VanVleet had 22 points and 11 assists. Dillon Brooks (20), Alperen Sengun (19) and Jabari Smith Jr. (17) also scored in double figures as part of a balanced scoring attack.

Rookie forward Amen Thompson suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain in the win over Charlotte. He has been ruled out for Saturday’s game along with Tari Eason, who has a stress reaction in his lower left leg, and Victor Oladipo, who is recovering from left patellar tendon surgery.

Kings at Rockets

When: 5 p.m.

Where: Toyota Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -2.5

Over/under: 220.5

Injury report

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

Rockets: OUT — Tari Eason (leg); Victor Oladipo (patellar tendon); Amen Thompson (ankle).

Upcoming schedule

Nov. 4 at Houston Rockets

Nov. 6 at Houston Rockets

Nov. 8 vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Nov. 10 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Nov. 13 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers