The Sacramento Kings are still searching for their first win of the 2026-27 season, and Monday night in Dallas could be their best shot to finally stop the skid. They enter the matchup 0-6 after going winless through October, including an 0-5 preseason, while the Mavericks have opened the year 4-2 and look far more settled behind Cooper Flagg.
That gap in record is real, but so is the injury uncertainty on both sides. Sacramento’s report for Monday carries a new name worth watching: Zach LaVine is questionable with right elbow inflammation/soreness. It’s the first injury designation of the season for the starting guard, who has been one of the team’s top scorers.
Ben Simmons is also out for the Kings, still recovering from right Achilles tendon repair/surgery.
LaVine’s availability is the biggest swing factor for Sacramento, though there’s been plenty of frustration around how the Kings have looked with him on the floor. The pairing of LaVine and Darius Acuff Jr. has drawn attention, and the two have shared the floor for about 60% of the Kings’ minutes so far. If LaVine sits, a different starting look with someone like Emanuel Sharp or Nique Clifford next to Acuff Jr. would make the matchup a little more interesting.
There’s another possible boost on the way for Sacramento. Dylan Cardwell has been upgraded from out to questionable after missing the first six games, putting him in line for a potential season debut.
Dallas has its own key question to answer. Kyrie Irving has been added to the Mavericks’ injury report and is listed as questionable with left knee injury management. Irving has been the team’s second-leading scorer behind Flagg, and if he can’t go, Dallas would have to lean harder on the rest of its offense.
The Mavericks still have the edge on paper, but a couple of absences could make the door a little less closed for the Kings. Monday’s game tips at 5:00 p.m. PT in Dallas.
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Irvings play has also made the trade conversation around Dallas harder to dismiss, because the case for making a major move gets murkier when the current core is working this well. With the Mavericks already showing real cohesion and Irving producing at a high level, the front office has a more complicated decision on its hands than it did a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]