Kings vs. Suns gameday: Keegan Murray injury news; Phoenix full strength; scouting reports

Keegan Murray’s status is uncertain as the Kings prepare to end a grueling five-game road trip against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday at Footprint Center.

Sacramento won the first two games of the trip, routing the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets, before suffering back-to-back losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks. The Kings can finish the trip with a winning record and move back to eight games over .500 with a win in Phoenix.

The Kings (23-16) have already beaten the Suns (21-18) twice this season, so they have a chance to improve to 3-0 in what will be a five-game season series against Phoenix. The Kings beat the Suns 114-106 on Dec. 8 in Phoenix and 120-105 on Dec. 22 in Sacramento.

De’Aaron Fox scored 34 points in the first game. Domantas Sabonis recorded a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in the second game.

The Kings will be facing Phoenix at full strength for the first time this season. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal missed the first game. Beal was also out in the second game.

This time it’s the Kings who could be shorthanded. Murray is listed as questionable due to right hip irritation. Murray left Sunday’s game against the Bucks at halftime and did not return. Trey Lyles started the second half in place of Murray. Lyles could get his first start for the Kings since the 2021-22 season if Murray is unable to play.

The Suns have ruled out Bol Bol (right foot sprain) and Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery).

Scouting Sacramento

The Kings are fifth in the Western Conference, two games behind the surging Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 4 seed and five games behind the conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves.

De’Aaron Fox is averaging 27.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.6 steals for Sacramento. Domantas Sabonis averages 20.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists. He has eight triple-doubles in the past 15 games, including four of the last seven.

Murray (15.8 ppg), Malik Monk (15.3 ppg) and Harrison Barnes (10.8 ppg) are also scoring in double figures for the Kings. Kevin Huerter (9.9 ppg) is knocking on the door again after posting 26 points and 10 rebounds in a breakout performance against the Bucks.

Huerter, who has struggled much of the season, looked like his old hot-shooting self, making 10 of 14 from the field and 6 of 9 from 3-point range.

Scouting Phoenix

The Suns are eighth in the West after winning seven of their last 10 games. They are two games behind the Kings, Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans in the race for an automatic playoff berth.

The Suns are coming off back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. Bradley Beal scored 37 points in the win over the Lakers. Devin Booker had 34 against the Blazers.

Durant is averaging 29.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.1 blocks for Phoenix. Booker averages 26.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists. Beal, who has appeared in only 15 games, is averaging 18.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Grayson Allen (13.4 ppg), Eric Gordon (12.9 ppg) and Jusuf Nurkic (12.5 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.

Kings at Suns

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Footprint Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Suns -5.5

Over/under: 242.5

Injury report

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Keegan Murray (hip). OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Colby Jones (G League); Jalen Slawson (G League).

Suns: OUT — Bol Bol (foot); Damion Lee (knee).

Upcoming schedule

Jan. 16 at Phoenix Suns

Jan. 18 vs. Indiana Pacers

Jan. 22 vs. Atlanta Hawks

Jan. 25 at Golden State Warriors

Jan. 27 at Dallas Mavericks