The New Orleans Pelicans will face a short rotation Thursday night as they travel to the Golden 1 Center to take on the Sacramento Kings.
Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson are both listed as questionable, with Murphy dealing with a neck spasm and Williamson nursing a right ankle sprain. Dejounte Murray remains sidelined as he continues reconditioning, while Trey Alexander, Hunter Dickinson, and Josh Oduro are out on two-way assignments in the G League.
Sacramento will also be limited, with Domantas Sabonis out following left knee meniscus surgery. Zach LaVine, recovering from a right fifth finger tendon repair, and De’Andre Hunter, who underwent left eye retinal repair, are both unavailable. Keegan Murray and Dylan Cardwell are out with left ankle injuries.
The Pelicans have struggled in their last two road games, falling to the Lakers 101-110 and the Clippers 117-137. Murphy leads the team with 22.0 points per game, while Williamson averages 21.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. Saddiq Bey adds 17.3 points per game, providing perimeter scoring in the absence of Murray and others.
The Kings have lost consecutive games, including a 103-114 defeat to the Suns and a 104-128 loss at the Lakers.
DeMar DeRozan is Sacramento’s top scorer at 18.2 points per game. Russell Westbrook contributes 15.3 points and 6.3 assists per game, but the team’s depth is tested with multiple starters sidelined.
New Orleans dominated the only previous matchup this season, defeating Sacramento 120-94 at home on February 9.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
