Kings Rotation To Be Shortened On Sunday vs Blazers

Oct 8, 2022, 12:45 PM

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 20: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after a three poi...

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Home sweet home.

For the first time since April 5th, the Sacramento Kings will play a game on their home floor at Golden 1 Center when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday afternoon.

After opening up their preseason slate with a blowout win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, the Kings will look to continue their winning ways in front of their home fans.

If you feel deja vu in the next two weeks, it’s probably because you’re experiencing it. Sunday’s matchup between Sacramento and Portland will be a dress rehearsal for October 19th’s opening night contest between the two teams–a game that will be played at Golden 1 Center.

Here’s everything that you need to know for this weekend’s Kings vs Blazers matchup:

Game Info & Tickets

When: 6:00 PM PST

Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA

Tickets: Kings.com

Where To Watch & Listen To Kings vs Blazers

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Pregame coverage starts at 4:30 pm PST on Game Night

Recent History

Sacramento took two out of three regular-season matchups against Portland during the 2021-22 season.

Last season marked the first time that the Kings have secured a regular-season series win over the Trail Blazers since the 2007-08 season.

Storylines To Keep An Eye On

Shorter Rotations

Kings head coach Mike Brown is expected to trim his rotation on Sunday night.

“It’s going to be different,” Mike Brown said when asked how he’s going to handle the rotation against Portland. “We won’t be playing all 20 [players] this Sunday. At most, we’ll play 15–anywhere from 13 to 15 guys.”

After giving all 20 players on the roster some playing time during Monday’s preseason opener in Los Angeles, Brown and his staff will begin to hone in on their rotations as we move within 10 days of opening night.

The second unit of Davion Mitchell, Malik Monk, Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles, and Richaun Holmes is likely set, but keep an eye on other fringe players that hope to crack the 15-man roster.

Kevin Huerter will begin the season as De'Aaron Fox's backcourt counterpart.

As for the power forward spot, KZ Okpala was seen getting reps in with the starters this afternoon.

Is the competition for the starting PF spot over? Not quite, per Mike Brown.https://t.co/23j99l7We8 pic.twitter.com/qGK9F03tMN

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 7, 2022

Chima Moneke, Kent Bazemore, Sam Merrill, Matthew Dellavedova, and Quinn Cook are currently battling for the final available spots with three preseason games to go.

More Run For The Starters

If you’re hoping to see more of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis in action, you’re in luck.

Brown told the media that the starters will “probably” play into the second half on Sunday. During Monday’s preseason opener, the starting unit didn’t play past the second quarter as the bench units closed out the 30-point victory.

Forward KZ Okpala is currently in line to start at the power forward position, but it will be interesting to see how much time that rookie standout Keegan Murray will get on the floor alongside Fox, Sabonis, Kevin Huerter, and Harrison Barnes.

After coming off of the bench to open up Monday’s game, Murray closed out the second quarter with the starters while Okpala went to the sideline for the final three minutes of play.

Injury Report

After missing the past two practices with a non-COVID illness, Richaun Holmes was back in the building for practice on Saturday, although the 28-year-old did not participate.

Holmes is unlikely to suit up against Portland.

Domantas Sabonis was not at Saturday’s practice due to personal reasons. It’s expected that Sabonis will be available when the Kings face the Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center on Sunday.