The Sacramento Kings squaring off against the Phoenix Suns in the Pacific Division showdown at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and the tip-off is set for 9:00 PM ET.
Update Injury for Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns’ midseason acquisition Kevin Durant will miss the rest of the month due to an ankle injury that prevented him from making his much-anticipated home debut on Wednesday.
This means that Durant will be sitting on the bench for Saturday’s Western Conference matchup between the Suns and the Sacramento Kings.
There has been speculation that Durant may not play again this season after the Suns announced Thursday that he will be re-evaluated in three weeks. On April 9th, the Suns will play their last regular season game against the Clippers.
In Durant’s first three games with the Suns, all of which were played away from home, he was spectacular, posting averages of 26.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 69.2 percent from the field (29 of 42).
Phoenix has won four straight games and 16 of their last 21 despite losing Durant. Still, the Suns wanted to get used to playing with Durant before the postseason.
Without Durant, the Suns put on a show Wednesday, thrashing the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-101. Durant’s lack of enthusiasm was noted by Coach Monty Williams.
Devin Booker, a star point guard, scored 44 points on 17-of-23 shooting and has scored at least 35 points in each of the last four games. He has scored 38 points per game on average recently.
Phoenix, led by Booker’s 38 points per game, has already beaten Sacramento twice this season.
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The Suns are now in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 37-29 record, but they have their sights set on the No. 2 seed. On Friday, the Kings (39-23) will be tied for first place with the Grizzlies (39-26).
After beating the New York Knicks 122-117 on the road on Thursday, the Kings have won seven of their last eight contests.
With 24 points, 13 boards, and 10 assists, Domantas Sabonis notched his ninth triple-double of the season and 53rd double-double of his career.
Sabonis continued his standout campaign Thursday, leading Sacramento in points, rebounds and assists in the tough victory.
The big man is averaging 22.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 0.8 blocks through his first four games in March.
Among the four major professional sports, Sacramento’s 16-year absence from the playoffs is the longest active drought. The Kings need three more victories to clinch their first winning season since 2005-06, which was also the last time they made the playoffs.
Injury report Kings
- None of injuries.
Injury report Suns
- Kevin Durant (Ankle) – Out
- Landry Shamet (Foot) – Out
