Kings vs. Pelicans gameday: Zion Williamson, Trey Lyles, Jose Alvarado injuries, updates
The Kings will get another chance to notch their first win over the New Orleans Pelicans when they face them for the fourth time Sunday at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings (21-13) want to finish their four-game homestand with a win, but they haven’t been able to stop the Pelicans (21-15) yet this season. They gave up an average of 124.3 points in three early losses to the Pelicans, losing twice in New Orleans and once in Sacramento.
New Orleans will be missing at least one key player with another in question. Jose Alvarado, a defensive menace who often causes problems for the Kings, has been ruled out due to a non-COVID-19 illness. Zion Williamson is listed as questionable with a right quad contusion.
Trey Lyles is questionable for the Kings after suffering a right ankle sprain in Friday’s win over the Toronto Raptors.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings are fifth in the Western Conference, one game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for fourth and four games behind the conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Kings have won four of their last five games. They opened the current homestand with a disappointing loss to the Charlotte Hornets before recording quality wins over the Orlando Magic and Raptors.
Despite dealing with aches and pains recently, De’Aaron Fox is averaging 29.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals. Domantas Sabonis averages 19.7 points, a league-high 12.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists. He has six triple-doubles in the past 10 games.
Keegan Murray is averaging 15.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals. Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk averages 14.9 points and 5.4 assists. Harrison Barnes is scoring 11.4 points per game while shooting 41.1% from 3-point range. Barnes is 12 of 21 (.571) from long distance over the past four games.
Scouting New Orleans
New Orleans is tied for sixth in the West with the Dallas Mavericks, one game behind the Kings.
The Pelicans are coming off a 111-95 loss to the Clippers. Williamson left that game with the quad injury and did not return. Before that, the Pelicans had won four in a row, beating the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves by comfortable margins.
Brandon Ingram averages a team-high 22.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Williamson is averaging 21.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists. CJ McCollum averages 19.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Jonas Valanciunas (14.0 ppg, 9.7 rpg), Trey Murphy III (13.8 ppg), Herbert Jones (10.7 ppg) and Jordan Hawkins (10.2 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Status updates
▪ The Kings have ruled Lyles out. Sasha Vezenkov, who did not play in four of the past five games, could get backup minutes in place of Lyles.
▪ The Pelicans have ruled Williamson out. Williamson was a tough cover for the Kings in the first three games, averaging 20.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 67.5% from the field.
Pelicans at Kings
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -3.5
Over/under: 234.5
Injury report
Pelicans: QUESTIONABLE — Zion Williamson (quad). OUT — Jose Alvarado (non-COVID illness); Kira Lewis Jr. (G League); Matt Ryan (elbow); Dereon Seabron (G League).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Trey Lyles (ankle). OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Jalen Slawson (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Jan. 7 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Jan. 9 at Detroit Pistons
Jan. 10 at Charlotte Hornets
Jan. 12 at Philadelphia 76ers
Jan. 14 at Milwaukee
