\u2014 Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) January 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Ellis, however, was active and explained his thumb injury to the media in attendance on Monday.<\/p>\n \u201c(Kyle) Kuzma ran into me, they called a foul, I didn\u2019t feel anything, and then we challenged. I walked off, DeMar high-fived me\u2026 that\u2019s when I realized it started hurting,\u201d Ellis said.<\/a> \u201cI tried to tape it and come back out, but it was still hurting to try and shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n The role that Ellis has played this season has been inconsistent, to say the least. He\u2019s recorded two DNP-CDs along with seven instances of fewer than 10 minutes, while also having eight occasions with at least 25 minutes of action.<\/p>\n Head coach Doug Christie seems to alternate between Ellis and scoring guard Malik Monk being active in the rotation, as Monk has recorded two straight DNP-CDs himself, his third and fourth of the season.<\/p>\n With LaVine returning to action, Ellis\u2019s opportunity remains unclear. He had logged just five minutes of action on Sunday before becoming unavailable due to his thumb injury. The Alabama product said he expects to be ready for Monday\u2019s game when the Kings host the Dallas Mavericks.<\/p>\n \u201cThe more people that we have that are not on tables in the training room is a big thing,\u201d Christie said after Monday\u2019s practice<\/a>. \u201cIt was really good to see (Keon).\u201d<\/p>\n An update on Murray is expected to be provided in the coming days, but at least Ellis will be available in the immediate.<\/p>\n Playing in the final season of his contract, if Kings general manager Scott Perry wants to keep Ellis in royal purple, their best chance would be agreeing to an extension prior to the soon-to-be 26-year-old guard reaching unrestricted free agency.<\/p>\n Ellis could be used to acquire assets via trade. Either way, having him available for action is an encouraging sign.<\/p>\n More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports<\/p>\n After missing nine games due to a moderate ankle sprain, two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine was back in uniform for the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.<\/p>\n LaVine, who hadn\u2019t been in action since December 14th, made his return against the Bucks\u2013the team that has been heavily linked to the Kings guard in trade rumors and reports<\/a>\u00a0ahead of next month\u2019s NBA trade deadline.<\/p>\n In his first game appearance in almost three weeks, LaVine came off the bench on Sunday, marking the first time since January 8, 2024 (while with the Chicago Bulls), that he was not part of the starting lineup.<\/p>\n Read More:<\/p>\n Zach LaVine returns, comments on trade chatter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n Tuesday, January 6th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Dallas Mavericks \u2013 6:00 PM PT Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n
\nFriday, January 9th\u00a0\u2013 @ Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, January 11th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Houston Rockets \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nMonday, January 12th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Los Angeles Lakers \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nWednesday, January 14th\u00a0\u2013 vs. New York Knicks \u2013 7:00 PM PT<\/p>\n
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