Preview: Kings begin preseason against Curry, Warriors
Oct 9, 2024, 8:05 AM
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The calendar has turned to October. A cool breeze has filled the air—well, it isn’t 100 degrees anymore, so most in the Sacramento Valley will take what they can get. But those two things mean one thing:
Sacramento Kings basketball is back.
At long last, following a 173-day offseason, the Kings will begin its preseason schedule on Wednesday night against an all-too-familiar foe in the Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center.
The last time that basketball was played on Sacramento’s home floor was during the first round of the NBA Play-In on April 16th, when Keegan Murray’s 32-point performance fueled a 118-94 Kings win, a victory that closed the door on the Warriors’ Stephen Curry-Klay Thompson-Draymond Green, as Thompson departed for Dallas following the end of the season.
These two teams will enter play on Wednesday with some new faces. Prized offseason addition and six-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan will make his unofficial debut in a Sacramento uniform, while former Kings guard Buddy Hield will take the floor in his new blue and gold threads after signing with Golden State in the summer.
While it may just be a preseason tune-up game, there will be plenty to watch for as the October 24th season opener approaches.
Preseason or not, the most important thing is that basketball–sweet, sweet basketball–is back.
Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors Game Info
When: 7:30 PM PST
Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
TV: ESPN, NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 2:00 PM PDT on The Drive Guys
Line: Kings -3.5, O/U 218.5
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Warriors coverage, beginning at 2:00 PM PST on The Drive Guys before a 7:30 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Will The Starters Play?
If you’re planning on attending tonight’s action at Golden 1 Center but worried that you might not get to catch a glimpse of DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox, or Domantas Sabonis, rest assured: The starters will play on Wednesday night.
Kings head coach Mike Brown announced on Tuesday that the starting group of DeRozan, Fox, Sabonis, Keegan Murray, and Keon Ellis will play during the first half against Golden State. Following the half, expect to see plenty of run from the bench unit as Brown sits his starters.
What to watch for in the second half
Once the starters get their run in during the first half, Brown will turn to his bench for the rest of the way. These minutes will add to the coaching staff’s evaluation process in determining the 15th and final roster spot that is currently being determined in training camp.
Undrafted guard Boogie Ellis, veteran forward Terry Taylor, and guard Brodiric Thomas are in the mix for the final roster spot.
Taylor, a 6’5 forward with a 6’11 wingspan has turned heads early in camp and could have a leg up on the competition, but Ellis and Thomas could also be options as Sacramento navigates injuries to both backup point guard options.
Injury Report
While most of the Kings’ key pieces will be in uniform on Wednesday, they will be without some notable players against Golden State.
Kevin Huerter is still recovering from a dislocated left shoulder shoulder and torn labrum that resulted in the sharpshooting guard having surgery in March. ‘Red Velvet’ still hasn’t been cleared for full contact practice, meaning we will likely have to wait another week or longer to see him in preseason action. Huerter is set to be re-evaluated by the medical staff in the coming days.
Rookie guard Devin Carter is also in the process of recovering from left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. Carter has been seen working with the training staff, but is unlikely to return to game action until January at the earliest.
Jordan McLaughlin, who was signed this summer to fill in behind De’Aaron Fox at the point guard position, is rehabbing a grade-two right ankle sprain, but is close to returning to action. The Kings will re-evaluate McLaughlin later this week.
Trey Lyles suffered a left groin strain during offseason workouts and will be re-evaluated in one week.
Orlando Robinson, who was signed as a depth option behind Domantas Sabonis and Alex Len at the center spot, will be re-evaluated in four weeks after suffering a left knee MCL sprain during training camp.
2024-25 Sacramento Kings Schedule
Preseason
- Wednesday, October 9th – vs. Golden State Warriors – 7 pm PDT
- Friday, October 11th – @ Golden State Warriors – 7 pm PDT
- Sunday, October 13th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 3 pm PDT
- Tuesday, October 15th – @ Utah Jazz – 6 pm PDT
- Thursday, October 17th – @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7 pm PDT
Regular Season
- Thursday, October 24th – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7 pm PDT
- Saturday, October 26th – @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7:30 pm PDT
- Monday, October 28th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7 pm PDT
- Tuesday, October 29th – @ Utah Jazz – 6 pm PDT
- Friday, November 1st – @ Atlanta Hawks – 4 pm PDT
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