Sacramento Kings Injury Updates: Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles & more

Mar 15, 2024, 1:56 PM | Updated: 4:31 pm

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

The injury bug took some bites out of the Sacramento Kings’ rotation last week, but the two-day break between games appears to have helped a few players.

After missing Wednesday’s winning effort against the Los Angeles Lakers, guard Kevin Huerter (leg contusion) participated fully in Friday’s practice session at Golden 1 Center.

While Huerter’s return to the floor bodes well for his chances at suiting up on Saturday when the Kings face the New York Knicks, both Trey Lyles (knee sprain) and Sasha Vezenkov (ankle sprain) did not participate in Friday’s practice.

Kevin Huerter (right leg), Malik Monk (neck), and Keegan Murray (left ankle) were full participants in today’s practice.

Sasha Vezenkov (right ankle sprain) and Trey Lyles (left knee) did NOT participate.

Kings play the Knicks tomorrow in G1C.

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) March 15, 2024

Sacramento Kings Injury Updates

Kevin Huerter

After sitting out of Wednesday’s win over the Lakers due to a right leg contusion, Kevin Huerter appears to be on track to return for Saturday’s game against the Knicks at Golden 1 Center.

“Optimistic about tomorrow, for sure,” Huerter said when asked how his leg was feeling on Friday. “Just a little beat up. Took a knee to the quad in that Milwaukee game. The back-to-back, it just kind of stiffened up on me. I think if we had a day in between, the result could have been different.”

Over his past ten games, Huerter has averaged 9.3 points and 3.3 rebounds on 41/33/50 shooting splits. The veteran guard has struggled recently, opening the door for players like Keon Ellis, who filled in for Huerter as a starter on Wednesday.

Head coach Mike Brown told the media that he doesn’t plan on making a change to the starting lineup, meaning that Huerter will all but assuredly get the nod on Saturday. While Huerter will start games, Ellis could still find himself on the floor in closing situations if Huerter doesn’t have his offense going.

A look at how Trey Lyles hurt his left knee in that second quarter. pic.twitter.com/gMCeJQ3bLl

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) March 13, 2024

Trey Lyles

Lyles, who exited the second half of Sacramento’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday after bumping knees with Brook Lopez, did not suit up against Los Angeles due to a left knee sprain.

The forward didn’t take the floor for Friday’s practice, but Lyles was spotted on the floor following practice, taking stationary shots while wearing a sleeve on his left knee.

Following practice, the Kings announced that Lyles has suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. With Lyles out, Sacramento will likely lean on Chris Duarte, Keon Ellis, and Kessler Edwards until the 28-year-old is able to return.

pic.twitter.com/9nJ1FIUxRb

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) March 15, 2024

Sasha Vezenkov

Vezenkov has been sidelined since February 9th due to a right ankle sprain but is progressing well as he continues to work his way back to game action.

The reigning EuroLeague MVP is currently in the fifth week of a four-to-six-week timeline that the Kings gave to the media in mid-February, meaning that an update on the Bulgarian forward could be on the horizon.

Quick Hits

Keegan Murray, who missed Tuesday’s game vs. Milwaukee due to a right ankle sprain, played on Wednesday night and fully participated in Friday’s practice.
Malik Monk (neck) briefly departed Wednesday’s win vs. the Lakers during the first half, but the Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner returned to the game and was a full participant in Friday’s practice.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will continue its six-game homestand on Saturday night when they face All-Star guard Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks at Golden 1 Center.

Last season, the Kings secured a 122-117 win over the Knicks at home in front of a national audience on TNT. Domantas Sabonis posted a triple-double (24 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists), while De’Aaron Fox’s 24 points helped Sacramento close things out in crunch time.

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