The Sacramento Kings visit the Detroit Pistons on Sunday afternoon with key injuries shaping the matchup at Little Caesars Arena. Tipoff is set for 3:00 PM ET as the teams meet for the second time this season.
Sacramento enters at 12-34 and riding a three-game losing streak, while Detroit holds the NBA’s best record at 32-11 despite a loss in its most recent outing. Availability will be a major factor given the absences on both sides.
The Kings will be without Zach LaVine, who is out with low back soreness. LaVine has averaged 19.5 points per game while shooting 39.9 percent from three, making his absence significant for a team already struggling offensively.
Keegan Murray is also ruled out after suffering a left ankle sprain. Murray has appeared in only 19 games this season but has logged heavy minutes at 35.9 per game, providing 14.6 points and 6.1 rebounds.
Sacramento will also be without two two-way players, Daeqwon Plowden and Isaiah Stevens, who are both assigned to the G League. With LaVine and Murray sidelined, the Kings are expected to rely more heavily on DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook, and Domantas Sabonis.
DeRozan leads Sacramento in scoring at 18.9 points per game and has been efficient from the field at 50.6 percent. Westbrook continues to pace the offense with 6.8 assists per game, while Sabonis averages a double-double with 16.0 points and 11.7 rebounds in limited appearances.
Detroit’s injury report is shorter but still notable. Cade Cunningham is listed as probable due to right wrist injury management, a positive sign for the Pistons given his central role.
Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points and 9.7 assists, anchoring an offense that scores 116.9 points per game. His availability would give Detroit a major edge against a short-handed Sacramento backcourt.
Caris LeVert is listed as doubtful with an illness. LeVert has provided scoring depth off the bench at 7.9 points per game, and his absence would thin Detroit’s second unit.
The Pistons will also be without Isaac Jones, Wendell Moore Jr., and Tolu Smith, all of whom are on G League assignments or two-way designations. Detroit’s core rotation remains intact, led by Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Tobias Harris.
Duren has been dominant inside with 17.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, while Harris and Duncan Robinson space the floor on the perimeter.
In the first meeting on December 23, Detroit defeated Sacramento 136-127.
