There was breaking injury information within the NBA on Monday that would influence the Western Convention playoff race because the Kings shut in on their first postseason bid since 2006 amid rising pleasure in Sacramento.
Kings level guard De’Aaron Fox is questionable for Tuesday’s sport towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder attributable to left wrist soreness. Thunder level guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – a first-time All-Star like Fox – will likely be out once more after lacking Sunday’s 124-115 loss to the Kings with an stomach pressure and proper ankle soreness.
There was larger information elsewhere within the West when The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is predicted to overlook an prolonged time period with a proper foot injury. James reportedly suffered the injury in Sunday’s win over the Dallas Mavericks and is predicted to be out “a number of weeks.”
James was nonetheless searching for medical opinions Monday, sources instructed Charania, however any prolonged absence might knock the Lakers out of the playoff race. The Athletic famous there are solely six weeks remaining within the common season and “a number of weeks might imply all or most of that timeframe.”
The Lakers (29-32) are twelfth within the West with 21 video games remaining, one sport behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the ultimate play-in spot. They’re 5-9 with out James this season. Los Angeles meant to overhaul a number of groups to safe one of many prime six seeds within the Western Convention following the commerce deadline additions of D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, however their possibilities received’t be the identical with out James.
The Denver Nuggets (42-19) have opened up a five-game lead within the West. The Memphis Grizzlies (36-23) are 5 video games again going into Tuesday’s sport towards the Lakers.
The Kings (35-25) are third as they search to finish their 16-year playoff drought. They’ve received three in a row and six of eight as they attempt to wrap up an ideal three-game highway journey with one other win over Oklahoma Metropolis on Tuesday at Paycom Heart.
Sacramento has a three-game lead over the No. 4 Phoenix Suns, a 3 ½-game lead over the No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers and a four-game lead over the No. 6 Mavericks. The Kings will open a four-game homestand towards the Clippers on Friday at Golden 1 Heart earlier than dealing with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Pelicans and New York Knicks.
The Golden State Warriors (31-30) are seventh within the West adopted by the Utah Jazz (31-31), Timberwolves (31-32) and Pelicans (30-31) with the Portland Path Blazers (29-31), Lakers and Thunder scrapping for a spot within the play-in.
Fox’s standing will likely be monitored carefully as he has been one of many hottest gamers within the league and a driving drive behind Sacramento’s surge. Fox has seven consecutive 30-point video games, a Sacramento-era franchise file. He’s second within the league in scoring over that stretch, averaging 34.4 factors on 57.9% capturing.
There are different accidents that would influence the playoff race within the West as nicely. Steven Adams (knee) is predicted to overlook at the least 5 extra video games for the Grizzlies and there may be nonetheless no timetable for Zion Williamson (hamstring) to return for the Pelicans. Karl-Anthony Cities (calf) stays out for the Timberwolves, however he reportedly may very well be again for the ultimate 10 to fifteen video games.
The Mavericks count on Maxi Kleber (hamstring) to return within the coming days, itemizing him as questionable for Tuesday’s sport towards the Indiana Pacers. The Warriors stated Stephen Curry (leg) will likely be reevaluated later this week, however he received’t play Tuesday towards the Blazers, who’re lacking Jusuf Nurkic (calf) and Anfernee Simons (ankle). The Jazz will likely be lacking Jordan Clarkson (thumb) and Collin Sexton (hamstring) after they play the San Antonio Spurs.
