Lakers (19–10) vs. Kings (8–23) | Game 30 of 82
Where to Watch and What Time
📅 Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
⏰ Tip-off: 6:30 p.m. PST
📍 Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, Calif
📺 TV: Spectrum SportsNet
📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
The Los Angeles Lakers play their second game of a five-game homestand on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings, following a lackluster 23-point loss on Christmas Day to the Houston Rockets.
The disappointing performance was a wake-up call for the Lakers, who have lost three straight games and four of their last six, prompting coach JJ Redick to call out the team’s effort and execution.
“Truth is uncomfortable,” Redick said after Saturday’s practice. “So you have to put everything out there. That’s all it is.”
Defensive clarity, role clarity and offensive organization were the three things Redick emphasized in cleaning up their bad habits.
To add salt to injury, Austin Reaves suffered a Grade 2 left calf strain in the Christmas Day loss and will miss game action for at least the next four weeks, leaving the Lakers down a backcourt starter.
This will be the second time the Lakers see the Kings, beating them 127-120 in Sacramento in the third game of the season.
After a five-game skid, the Kings have won two of their last three games, coming off a six-point win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
Sacramento is 3-13 on the road (three straight road losses), while L.A. is 7-5 (lost three straight at home) at Crypto.com Arena this season.
The Opponent and their Top Dogs
When you look at a squad like the Kings with talents like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and even solid pieces in Keegan Murray, Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook. It makes you wonder why this team is among the bottom of the bottom.
Well, injuries have played a major role in this team’s deep drop in the standings, with their top seven players missing 54 games combined.
LaVine, who leads the team with 20.2 points a game, has missed the last five games. Sabonis, who averaged 17 and 12, has missed the last 17 games.
Their most reliable, healthy player has been 36-year-old DeRozan, playing in all 31 games this season, where he has put up 18.7 points a game.
Westbrook (14.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Dennis Schröder (13 ppg) will have an extra chip on their shoulder against their former team. Expect a big night in the effort department from those two against a Lakers team that has been lackadaisical in defense and effort.
Notable Opponent Ranks Among the NBA
The Kings have the 2nd-worst-rated (109.4) offense and the third-worst-rated (118.9) defense in the NBA. Here are some notable (good and meh) rankings of where they sit among the league.
Sacramento has been the second-worst team in the NBA in second-chance points (17.4) and points in the paint (55.4) allowed. A good recipe for the Lakers to get back in the win column.
27th in scoring (112.0 points a game)
22nd FG% in the NBA (46.2%)
21st 3P% in the NBA (35.1%)
2nd worst in 3-pointers made a game (10.8 a contest)
5th best team in steals a game (9.4 a contest)
Newcomer Drew Timme was added to the injury report for Sunday with a concussion, making potentially four players that can be sidelined.
Austin Reaves (leg contusion): Out
Jaxson Hayes (left ankle soreness): Probable
Gabe Vincent (lower back tightness): Out
Drew Timme (concussion protocol): Questionable
Zach LaVine (ankle): Out
Domantas Sabonis (knee): Out
Devin Carter (ankle): Questionable
Keegan Murray (calf): Out
The Lakers will wear their white threads at home, while the Kings will wear their purple City edition uniforms.
The Lakers will continue their next three games at home, against Detroit on Tuesday and then Memphis twice.