The Sacramento Kings host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, December 30, at Golden 1 Center, with Sacramento holding an 8-24 record and Los Angeles at 10-21. The Kings are on a one-game losing streak after a 101-125 defeat to the Lakers, while the Clippers enter on a four-game winning streak, including a 112-99 victory over Detroit.
Sacramento faces multiple injuries heading into the matchup. Zach LaVine is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, Domantas Sabonis is out with a left knee partial meniscus tear, and Dylan Cardwell, Daeqwon Plowden, and Isaiah Stevens are unavailable due to G League assignments. Keegan Murray is questionable with a right calf strain.
DeMar DeRozan remains the primary scorer for Sacramento, averaging 18.8 points on 50.6% shooting while adding 3.8 assists per game. LaVine contributes 20.2 points per game when healthy, and Murray averages 14.9 points and 6.4 rebounds. Sabonis provides inside presence with 17.2 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.
The Clippers contend with their own injury concerns. Bradley Beal is out with a left hip fracture, Bogdan Bogdanovic is sidelined managing a left hamstring injury, Chris Paul is unavailable, and Ivica Zubac misses time due to a left ankle sprain. John Collins is listed as questionable with an illness.
James Harden leads the Clippers with 26.3 points, 8.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, while Kawhi Leonard adds 27.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. Zubac, when available, anchors the paint with 15.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per contest. Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. provide secondary scoring and perimeter defense.
