The LA Clippers travel to Golden 1 Center on Friday night to face the Sacramento Kings, with both teams managing injuries that could reshape rotations and frontcourt matchups. Los Angeles enters at 23-27 and ninth in the Western Conference, while Sacramento sits 12-40 and last in the standings amid a 10-game losing streak.
The visitors will be without Bradley Beal, who is sidelined with a left hip fracture. Darius Garland, Isaiah Jackson, and Bennedict Mathurin are also listed out due to trade-pending situations.
Kwhi Leonard leads the team with 27.6 points on 49.7 percent shooting. John Collins adds spacing and efficiency, shooting 56.1 percent from the field and 42.7 percent from three-point range.
Sacramento’s injury report centers on Domantas Sabonis, who is questionable with lower back soreness. The big man averages 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
Keegan Murray is ruled out with a left ankle sprain, removing a versatile forward who averages 14.6 points and 6.1 rebounds. Two-way guard Isaiah Stevens is also unavailable due to a G League assignment.
If Sabonis cannot play, the Kings may rely more on DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine to generate offense. DeRozan averages 19.3 points on 50.7 percent shooting, while LaVine adds 19.5 points with 39.4 percent accuracy from three-point range.
The Clippers have struggled recently, losing consecutive home games to Philadelphia and Cleveland while allowing 128 and 124 points, respectively. Sacramento also enters off a 125-129 loss to Memphis.
The previous meeting between the teams came on December 30, when Los Angeles secured a 131-90 win.
Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET in Sacramento.
