Kings vs. Blazers gameday: Malik Monk, Alex Len, Deandre Ayton, Shaedon Sharpe injury news
Both teams could be missing some key players when the Kings open a three-game road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday at Moda Center.
The Kings (17-11) are listing Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk and backup center Alex Len as questionable.
Monk has been trying to play through an injury that is being described as right foot irritation, but he was held out of Saturday’s 110-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center. Len is on the verge of a return after being out since Nov. 13 with a high right ankle sprain.
The Kings missed Monk’s shooting and playmaking ability in the loss to Minnesota. He is averaging 14.3 points and 5.2 assists.
The Blazers (7-21) are listing Deandre Ayton (right knee tendinitis) and Shaedon Sharpe (right adductor strain) as questionable. Robert Williams III is out with a knee injury.
Sharpe is averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists for Portland. Ayton is averaging 13.1 points and 10.8 rebounds.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings are fourth in the Western Conference, five games behind the conference-leading Timberwolves. They had won four of five and nine of 13 before losing to Minnesota.
De’Aaron Fox is averaging 29.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.6 steals for Sacramento. Domantas Sabonis is also having a stellar season, averaging 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
Keegan Murray (16.2 ppg), Monk (14.3 ppg), Harrison Barnes (11.8 ppg) and Kevin Huerter (10.8 pgg) are also scoring in double figures for the Kings.
Scouting Portland
The Blazers are coming off back-to-back losses to the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards. They had lost seven in a row before beating the Phoenix Suns 109-104 on Tuesday, falling to 14th in the West, leading only the San Antonio Spurs.
Anfernee Simons is averaging 26.9 points and 5.5 assists for the Blazers. Jerami Grant is averaging 22.3 points. Sharpe (16.8 ppg), Malcolm Brogdon (15.2 ppg), Ayton (13.1 ppg) and Scoot Henderson (10.8 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Status updates
Monk and Len have been upgraded to available for Tuesday’s game against the Blazers. The Kings will be fully healthy for the first time this season.
Portland has ruled out Ayton and Sharpe.
Kings at Blazers
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Moda Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -7.5
Over/under: 236.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Jalen Slawson (G League); . QUESTIONABLE — Alex Len (ankle); Malik Monk (foot).
Blazers: QUESTIONABLE — Deandre Ayton (knee); Justin Minaya (G League); Shaedon Sharpe (adductor). OUT — Robert Williams III (knee).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 26 at Portland Trail Blazers
Dec. 29 at Atlanta Hawks
Dec. 31 at Memphis Grizzlies
Jan. 2 vs. Charlotte Hornets
Jan. 3 vs. Orlando Magic
