Preview: Kings seek 3-0 start to homestand vs. struggling Wizards

The Sacramento Kings’ six-game homestand will continue on Monday night against a Washington Wizards team that enters play having lost seven of their past eight contests.

Washington (4-21) holds a 2.5-game lead over the Detroit Pistons for the worst record in the NBA, and they’ll be facing the Kings on the second night of a back-to-back after losing a close game in Phoenix on Sunday night.

Sacramento (15-9) is on the other end of the NBA spectrum after winning four of five, including a 125-104 win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday that featured a career night for Keegan Murray (47 points on 12-of-15 from three-point range).

While the Kings are still waiting to determine the status of De’Aaron Fox (right shoulder irritation), they are in a position to secure another win against a team playing on the second night of a back-to-back–one that also has struggled to win on the road (2-13).

Are you ready for more basketball at Golden 1 Center? Let’s dive into some storylines to keep an eye on.

Sacramento Kings vs. Washington Wizards Game Info

When: 7:00 PM PST

Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 5:30 PM on Game Night

Line: Kings -13.5, O/U 246.5

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Wizards coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.

Tickets: Click here

Encore?

With Fox missing Saturday’s game, expecting another member of the Kings to score 40+ points wasn’t realistic.

Or so we thought.

Murray’s 47-point explosion was one of the more memorable scenes in Golden 1 Center history, especially the third quarter, as the second-year forward racked up 26 points–a total that matched the Utah Jazz’s scoring output for the entire period.

The 12-of-15 performance from three-point range broke Sacramento’s franchise record for made three-point field goals in a single game (Buddy Hield, 11), while Murray also became the youngest player in NBA history to make 12+ triples (23 years, 119 days) and the first player ever to make 11-straight three-pointers.

Keegan Murray has been a different player since returning from a back injury.

First 13 games🧊:

13.2 PTS | 39% FG | 28% 3PT (7.2 3PA/G)

Last 7 games🔥:

19.7 PTS | 53% FG | 50% 3PT (6.6 3PA/G)

The defense was there. Now, Murray is beginning to take strides on offense 🎯 pic.twitter.com/rxXryVIQva

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) December 17, 2023

He might not top the 40-point mark on Monday, but it’s fair to expect that Murray will continue to play well against the Wizards.

Over his past seven games, Murray has averaged 19.7 points on 53 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from deep on 6.6 attempts per contest.

If Fox is sidelined again, expect the Iowa product to show similar aggression against a Washington team that ranks 29th in defensive rating and last in opponent points per game (126.2 points).

Protect The Paint

There are few areas that the Washington Wizards have excelled in this year, but scoring points in the paint is one of them.

Sacramento will need to mind the Wizards’ attempts at attacking the basket, as the Wizards are currently ranked third when it comes to points in the paint, with Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford, and Jordan Poole all converting four or more two-point field goals per game this season.

Washington has not shown that they can be a threat from deep (ranked 21st in three-point FG%), and they will surely look to attack a Kings’ interior defense that has struggled to protect the rim this season.

Notes

• The Wizards are 0-2 on the second night of back-to-backs this season
• Sacramento can improve to seven games over .500 with a win. They didn’t reach that mark until January 18th last season.
• Washington is ranked 30th in rebounds, 28th in free-throw percentage, and 24th in fouls per game.
• The Kings are 7-3 over their past 10 games vs. the Wizards.
• Sacramento enters play with a 9-3 record at home (T-3rd in the West).

Kings vs. Wizards Injury Report

Sacramento

• De’Aaron Fox – QUESTIONABLE (right shoulder irritation)
• Alex Len – OUT (high ankle sprain)
• Jordan Ford – OUT (G-League)
• Jalen Slawson – OUT (G-League)

Washington

• Johnny Davis – OUT (left calf strain)
• Danilo Gallinari – OUT (rest)
• Landry Shamet – OUT (right rib sprain)
• Delon Wright – OUT (left knee sprain)
• Ryan Rollins – OUT (G-League)
• Patrick Baldwin Jr. – OUT (G-League)
• Jules Bernard – OUT (G-League)

Upcoming Schedule

• Monday, December 18th – Sacramento Kings vs. Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM PST
• Wednesday, December 20th – Sacramento Kings vs. Boston Celtics – 7:00 PM PST
• Friday, December 22nd – Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PST
• Saturday, December 23rd – Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7:00 PM PST
• Tuesday, December 26th – Sacramento Kings @ Portland Trail Blazers – @ 7:00 PM PST

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