Kings vs. Warriors gameday: De’Aaron Fox’s media silence, injury updates, scouting reports

De’Aaron Fox addressed the Sacramento media after practice Wednesday as the Kings packed their bags for a season-long seven-game road trip.

Fox discussed the team’s recent struggles, the upcoming NBA trade deadline and his selection to the player pool for the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.

“It’s an honor to be able to represent my country,” Fox said. “I talked to (USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill) a little bit, so I was already in the loop, and obviously I want to continue to focus on what we’re doing right now, but it’s definitely an honor to be able to be mentioned with a lot of those players who have already won gold medals.”

Fox was also asked about his recent 16-day media silence as the Kings prepared to face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday at Chase Center in San Francisco. Fox’s boycott stemmed from criticism he received amid accountability questions following a blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on a night when he was not asked to appear at the podium after the game.

Fox said his frustration was not with the media directly, but he declined to comment further. With that, the conversation turned back to basketball as the Kings embark on a 13-day road trip that could set the course for the rest of the season.

The Kings (24-18) have ruled forward Sasha Vezenkov out for Thursday’s game due to a moderate right ankle sprain. Vezenkov will be reevaluated in seven to 14 days.

The Warriors (19-22) will be facing the Kings on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Atlanta Hawks 134-112 on Wednesday. Chris Paul (left hand fracture), Moses Moody (left calf strain) and Gary Payton II (left hamstring strain) have been ruled out.

The Kings are 1-2 against the Warriors this season. They suffered a 122-114 loss Oct. 27 in Sacramento and a 102-101 loss Nov. 1 in San Francisco before beating the Warriors 124-123 on Nov. 28 at Golden 1 Center. The Warriors beat the Kings in a memorable seven-game playoff series last season.

Scouting Sacramento

The Kings have fallen into the play-in range following a recent four-game losing streak. They are seventh in the Western Conference, one game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the final automatic playoff bid.

Fox is averaging a career-high 27.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals. His numbers have dipped recently, but he’s still shooting a career-best 39% from 3-point range.

Domantas Sabonis is averaging 20.0 points, 12.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists. He leads the NBA in rebounding and is tied with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic for the league lead with 38 double-doubles. Sabonis has 12 triple-doubles, ranking second behind Jokic (13).

The Kings are also getting key contributions from Keegan Murray (16.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Malik Monk (15.0 ppg, 5.5 apg), Harrison Barnes (11.1 ppg), Kevin Huerter (10.4 ppg) and Trey Lyles (7.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg).

Scouting Golden State

The Warriors are trying to get back into the play-in picture. They are 12^th in the West, one game behind the Utah Jazz for the final play-in spot.

Prior to Wednesday’s victory over the Hawks, the Warriors had lost four of five and eight of 11 before they had two games postponed following the death of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic. The Warriors honored Milojevic during an emotional ceremony before Wednesday’s game.

Stephen Curry is averaging 26.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He is shooting 44.6% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range. Klay Thompson (17.3 ppg), Jonathan Kuminga (13.6 ppg), Andrew Wiggins (11.9 ppg) and Dario Saric (10.5 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.

Kings at Warriors

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Chase Center

TV: TNT

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -2.5

Over/under: 240.5

Injury report

Kings: OUT — Sasha Vezenkov (ankle).

Warriors: OUT — Chris Paul (hand); Moses Moody (hamstring); Gary Payton II (calf).

Upcoming schedule

Jan. 25 at Golden State Warriors

Jan. 27 at Dallas Mavericks

Jan. 29 at Memphis Grizzlies

Jan. 31 at Miami Heat

Feb. 2 at Indiana Pacers