Kings vs. Blazers Preview: Sacramento Searching for Answers Amid Injury Woes
The Sacramento Kings are in a tough spot right now. They’ve dropped three straight and 15 of their last 18, and Thursday night’s matchup in Portland against the Trail Blazers offers a chance-not a guarantee-to stop the bleeding. At 6-20, this is the Kings’ worst start since the 2010-11 season, and the injury report reads more like a starting lineup than a list of absentees.
The Kings are coming off a 117-103 loss to the Timberwolves, a game that underscored just how short-handed they are. With Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Drew Eubanks all out, and Dennis Schroder questionable with an ankle sprain, Sacramento is once again heading into a game without several of its key contributors. That’s been the theme of the season so far-injuries have kept the Kings from ever hitting the floor at full strength.
On the other side, Portland hasn’t exactly been lighting it up either. The Blazers had lost six of seven before a wild 136-131 win over the Warriors on Sunday.
Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant both dropped 35 points to help Portland survive a 48-point explosion from Steph Curry. That kind of offensive firepower from Sharpe is something the Kings will need to prepare for-especially considering how thin they are defensively right now.
Let’s break down three key storylines heading into Thursday’s game.
1. Keegan Murray Needs to Step Up-And Stay On the Floor
With Sabonis and LaVine sidelined, and Schroder potentially joining them, the Kings need Keegan Murray to take on a bigger offensive load. But it’s not just about volume-it’s about efficiency and consistency, two things Murray has struggled to find since returning from injury.
He missed the first 15 games of the season after undergoing surgery on his left thumb and has been playing through neck and shoulder issues recently. Over his last seven outings, Murray is averaging 12.7 points per game, but shooting just 40.2% from the field, 21.2% from deep, and 63.2% from the line. Those numbers don’t scream “go-to scorer,” but he’s still finding ways to contribute-grabbing 8.4 boards, swiping 1.9 steals, and blocking over two shots per game during that stretch.
The Kings don’t just need Murray to take more shots-they need him to take better ones. If he can find his rhythm, especially from beyond the arc, it could open up the floor for some of Sacramento’s younger players to operate more freely.
2. Youth Movement in Full Swing
With so many veterans out, Sacramento is leaning heavily on its young core-and that means a lot of minutes for rookies like Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford.
Raynaud, a second-round pick, has quietly been one of the brighter spots during this rough stretch. Over the last seven games, including four starts, he’s averaging 14.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and shooting a scorching 57.7% from the field and 50% from three. For a rookie big man, that kind of touch is rare-and it’s giving the Kings a much-needed offensive boost in the frontcourt.
Clifford, the Kings’ first-round pick, is still finding his footing. In his last six games, he’s averaging 5.2 points in just over 18 minutes per night, and his shooting numbers-43.8% from the field and 23.1% from three-suggest he’s still adjusting to the speed and spacing of the NBA.
But these reps matter. Sacramento isn’t just playing for wins right now-they’re playing for development, and Clifford’s growth will be something to watch as the season progresses.
3. Containing Shaedon Sharpe Is Priority No. 1
If the Kings want to have a shot in this one, they’ll need to find a way to slow down Shaedon Sharpe, who’s been on a tear lately. Over his last six games, Sharpe is averaging 24.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals. He’s also been lethal from deep, hitting 75% of his threes over the past three games-including a 5-for-7 performance against the Warriors.
With Sacramento’s perimeter defense already stretched thin, Sharpe could be in line for another big night unless the Kings can disrupt his rhythm early. That’ll likely fall on the shoulders of their younger wings and guards-guys like Clifford, who are still learning the ropes defensively.
The Bottom Line
This is a matchup between two teams dealing with injuries, inconsistency, and growing pains. The Blazers are favored by 9.5, and given the Kings’ current roster situation, that’s not surprising. But for Sacramento, this game is less about the final score and more about building habits, developing young talent, and hopefully seeing signs of life from players like Keegan Murray.
If Murray can find his shot, if Raynaud continues to produce, and if the Kings can at least make life difficult for Sharpe, they’ll give themselves a chance to snap this losing skid. But it’s going to take a full-team effort-and a little bit of resilience from a group that’s been tested all season long.
Kings at Blazers
- When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
PT
- Where: Moda Center, Portland
- TV: NBC Sports California
- Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
- Odds: Blazers -9.5
- Over/Under: 237.5
Injury Report:
Kings
- Questionable: Dennis Schroder (ankle)
- Out: Zach LaVine (ankle), Domantas Sabonis (knee), Drew Eubanks (thumb), Devin Carter (G League), Daeqwon Plowden (G League), Isaiah Stevens (G League)
Blazers
- Out: Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Jrue Holiday (calf), Damian Lillard (Achilles), Matisse Thybulle (thumb), Javonte Cooke (G League), Blake Wesley (foot)