Kings vs. Nets gameday live: Homecoming for former King; injury updates; scouting reports

The Kings will see a familiar face when fan favorite Harry Giles III returns to Sacramento as a member of the Brooklyn Nets.

Giles will celebrate a homecoming of sorts when the Nets (12-9) visit the Kings (12-8) at 7 p.m. Monday at Golden 1 Center. Giles shared his excitement on social media Sunday, tweeting: “Back in G1C tomorrow. I been manifesting this moment for a long time! Can’t wait to see Royalty! 916 it’s up tomorrow. Come see meeee #purpleheart.”

Giles spent three years in Sacramento after the Kings selected him out of Duke with the 20^th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He played two seasons for the Kings after sitting out the first year as part of an injury rehabilitation plan.

Giles appeared in a total of 104 games for Sacramento, where fans treasured his fiery spirit and infectious smile. He averaged 7.0 points and 3.8 rebounds as a rookie in 2018-19. He averaged 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 2019-20.

Giles spent the 2020-21 season with the Portland Trail Blazers. He was out of the NBA for two years before signing a one-year, $2.17 million contract with the Nets in September.

Giles has only appeared in three games for the Nets this season. He scored a season-high eight points on 4-of-6 shooting with two rebounds and one blocked shot in Friday’s 124-97 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Scouting Sacramento

The Kings are coming off a road win after beating the Phoenix Suns 114-106 on Friday at Footprint Center. De’Aaron Fox scored 23 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter to help the Kings secure the win.

The Kings have won 10 of their last 14 games. They are sixth in the Western Conference, 4 ½ games behind the conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves but only a half-game back of the third-seeded Dallas Mavericks.

Fox is averaging a career-high 30.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.5 steals. He is fourth in the NBA in scoring behind Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant.

Domantas Sabonis is averaging 18.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 7.0 assists. He is fourth in the NBA in rebounding behind Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis and Rudy Gobert.

Malik Monk (14.7 ppg), Keegan Murray (12.9 ppg), Kevin Huerter (12.3 ppg) and Harrison Barnes (11.7 ppg) are also scoring in double figures for Sacramento.

Monk is questionable for Monday’s game due to an illness. Rookie guard Colby Jones is questionable due to lower back soreness. Alex Len is out with a sprained ankle.

Scouting Brooklyn

The Nets have won three in a row and six of their last seven. They are tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference with the New York Knicks, four games behind the conference-leading Boston Celtics.

Cam Thomas leads the team in scoring at 23.7 points per game. Mikal Bridges is averaging 23.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Lonnie Walker IV (14.6 ppg), Cameron Johnson (14.6 ppg), Spencer Dinwiddie (14.6 ppg), Nic Claxton (12.0 ppg) and Dorian Finney-Smith (11.1 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.

Walker is out due to a left left hamstring strain. Dennis Smith Jr. has been ruled out with an upper back sprain. Ben Simmons, who has appeared in only six games this season, is out with a nerve impingement in his lower back.

Nets at Kings

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -4.5

Over/under: 234.5

Injury report

Nets: OUT — Noah Clowney (G League); Keon Johnson (G League); Ben Simmons (back); Dennis Smith Jr. (back); Lonnie Walker IV (hamstring); Dariq Whitehead (G League).

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Colby Jones (back); Malik Monk (illness). OUT — Alex Len (ankle).

Upcoming schedule

Dec. 11 vs. Brooklyn Nets

Dec. 12 at Los Angeles Clippers

Dec. 14 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Dec. 16 vs. Utah Jazz

Dec. 18 vs. Washington Wizards