Preview: Kings, Lakers set to clash for first time this season

On the heels of another hard-fought loss against the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings will meet another familiar foe on Sunday night at Golden 1 Center.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (1-1) will face the Kings for the first time this season in the first of four matchups between the old rivals.

Sacramento (1-1) struggled to create consistent offense during Friday’s loss to the Warriors, with De’Aaron Fox’s valiant fourth-quarter effort (22 points in the period) acting as the difference that kept the game from turning into a blowout.

The Kings’ defense will have its hands full with James and All-Star big Anthony Davis, while the offense will hope to get starting guard Kevin Huerter back into a rhythm following a rough start to the season.

Kings vs. Lakers on a Sunday night. Here are some players to keep an eye on during tonight’s action.

Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Info

When: 6:00 PM PST

Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 4:30 PM on Game Night

Line: Kings -2.5, O/U 235

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Lakers coverage, beginning at 4:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 6:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.

Tickets: Click here

Let Fox Cook

De’Aaron Fox was in peak form on Friday night against the Warriors.

The All-NBA guard scored 22 of his 39 points during the fourth quarter, shooting 14-of-28 from the field and five-of-nine from three-point land over 39 minutes.

Fox was a force against the Lakers last season, and you can expect that he’ll be on the attack often against Los Angeles’ shaky guard defense:

De’Aaron Fox vs the Lakers last season (4 games):

29.3 PTS
4.0 REB
8.3 AST
58% FG
3-1 record

Kings vs Lakers tonight in Sacramento 🦊 pic.twitter.com/FDBvDJE8ss

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 29, 2023

Can Huerter find his shot?

Since the start of Sacramento’s NBA Playoff series against the Warriors in April, Kevin Huerter has not looked like himself.

Huerter, who only converted 20 percent of his attempts from three-point range during the seven-game playoff series, is one-of-10 from deep to start this season following a rough showing in the preseason (22% 3PT over five games).

When you factor in Huerter’s shortcomings on the defensive end, it’s becoming clear that the Kings will need to eventually make a change to its rotations if the struggles continue–but head coach Mike Brown was

“Kevin is not the only one that made mistakes tonight,” Brown said of Huerter following Friday’s loss. “When I evaluate the team, I’m not just looking at Kevin and considering taking him out of the starting lineup, there are other changes that can be made. Across the board, I have to take a look at things to see how we can win a ballgame. In my opinion, he’s going to figure it out, and his shooting is going to be where it needs to be.”

Huerter was one of just six NBA players to convert over 200 made three-point field goals at a 40 percent or better rate, and it’s looking like Sacramento will continue to roll ‘Red Velvet’ out with the starters in hopes to jump-start his offense.

20th Anniversary

On October 29, 2003, the NBA was introduced to LeBron James as the Sacramento Kings faced the Cleveland Cavaliers at Arco Arena.

20 years later, James will face the Kings at Golden 1 Center on Sunday night.

LeBron James made his NBA debut 20 years ago today at ARCO Arena.

James will face the Kings tonight in Sacramento on the 20th anniversary of his introduction to the NBA. pic.twitter.com/0h31BBqPtL

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 29, 2023

Recent History

• Sacramento took three of four matchups against the Lakers last season and has taken seven of the past 11 head-to-head contest

Injury Report

Sacramento

• Trey Lyles – OUT (left calf strain)

Los Angeles

• Jarred Vanderbilt – OUT (left heel bursitis)
• Jalen Hood-Schifino – OUT (right patella contusion)
• Cam Reddish – PROBABLE (right foot soreness)

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule

• Sunday, October 29th – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 6 PM PST
• Wednesday, November 1st – Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – 7 PM PST
• Saturday, November 4th – Sacramento Kings @ Houston Rockets – 5 PM PST
• Monday, November 6th – Sacramento Kings @ Houston Rockets – 5 PM PST
• Wednesday, November 8th – Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7 PM PST

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