Preview: It’s Kings vs. Warriors. Again.
Nov 1, 2023, 8:43 AM | Updated: 8:48 am
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
If you’re getting tired of watching the Sacramento Kings face the Golden State Warriors, you’re in luck!
Wednesday’s matchup between the two teams–the 12th meeting since the final week of last year’s regular season–marks the last time Sacramento will see Golden State for… [checks schedule]… a little over three weeks!
These two teams have gotten more than familiar with each other after playing a hard-fought seven-game NBA Playoff series in April, and now the two Pacific Division foes will meet for the second time over the first seven days of the 2023-24 regular season.
The Warriors have gotten the best of the Kings thus far in this expansive set, beating Sacramento 4-3 in the postseason and the first three matchups of this season (two in preseason and one regular season).
For matchup number 12, Golden State (3-1) will host the Kings (2-1) at Chase Center in a game that will not include De’Aaron Fox (ankle).
Can Sacramento rise to the occasion and even the season series with the Warriors? Let’s dive into some things to watch for tonight in San Francisco.
De’Aaron Fox will be sidelined for at least one week.
How will the Sacramento Kings handle Fox’s absence?@BrendenNunesNBA & I talked about what Mike Brown’s rotations could look like during the upcoming stretch & much more:https://t.co/x3OTNePy2R
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) November 1, 2023
Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors Game Info
When: 7:00 PM PST
Where: Chase Center – San Francisco, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 5:30 PM on Game Night
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Warriors coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown San Francisco.
Line: Warriors -7.0, O/U: 227.5
No Fox… Big Problem?
De’Aaron Fox (ankle sprain) will be sidelined for at least one week, meaning that some supporting cast will need to step up with the All-Star on the shelf.
Davion Mitchell, who has had a quiet start to the season (five points scored over the first three games), will slide into the starting lineup and play the bulk of Sacramento’s minutes at the point.
Mitchell has performed well in increased minutes situations during his career (28 starts):
15.2 PTS | 2.1 REB | 6.3 AST | 45% FG | 32% 3PT | 34.4 MIN
“Off-Night” will open Wednesday’s game lined up against Stephen Curry, who has scored a whopping 91 points over his past two games against the Kings.
Curry hasn’t only punished Sacramento’s defense, as the future Hall of Fame guard is coming off of a 42-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Kings need Mitchell’s defensive impact as they hope to slow down Curry, who is more than capable of pouring in 40+ again and putting Sacramento behind the eight-ball early.
A New Approach For Sabonis?
Domantas Sabonis could be the Kings’ primary distributor on Wednesday with Fox unavailable.
The All-Star center has had an impressive start to the season (17.7 points, 15.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists) and will likely be more aggressive with the basketball without Fox, meaning that we could see the big man operate the offense out of the post and attack the basket.
Sabonis and Warriors big man Kevon Looney continued to battle last Friday in Sacramento, with Sabonis’ busy night (19 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists) combatting eight points, 12 rebounds, and six assists).
The Kings will lean on their second All-NBA and All-Star talent, but Sabonis will need to navigate foul trouble after picking up his sixth foul in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s overtime thrilling win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Domas didn’t agree with his sixth personal foul call pic.twitter.com/R8sZDLdhlN
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 30, 2023
Last season, Sabonis was second in the NBA in fouls per game (3.57). The talented center will need to avoid making the same mistakes on Wednesday, or else the Sacramento will be forced to play without both of their All-Stars down the final stretch.
An Opportunity For The Rookie
With Fox out and Davion Mitchell being moved into the starting lineup, rookie guard Colby Jones will get an opportunity in head coach Mike Brown’s second unit.
While it’s unknown if Jones will bring the ball down and set up the offense in the second group, the first-year guard will get his first shot at regular rotation minutes alongside Malik Monk.
Monk has proven that he can run the offense, as the guard did during the final minutes of Sacramento’s win over the Lakers, but Jones proved he possesses that ability during preseason.
Jones was a two-way presence during the Kings’ five exhibition games in October, and now the Kings will see if the 34th overall selection from June’s NBA Draft can make an impact in a reserve role.
Kings vs. Warriors Injury Report
Sacramento
- De’Aaron Fox – OUT (right ankle sprain)
- Trey Lyles – OUT (left calf strain)
Golden State
- Klay Thompson – PROBABLE (right knee soreness)
- Dario Saric – PROBABLE (right hip contusion)
- Jonathan Kuminga – QUESTIONABLE (left knee contusion)
Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule
- 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
- Friday, November 10th – Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder** – 7 PM PST
** NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play
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