Kings-Thunder Injury Report: Vezenkov, Hayward Status
Following a dreadful two-game losing streak capped off by a home loss to the Detroit Pistons, the Sacramento Kings bounced back to get a 29-point win over the defending champion Denver Nuggets. After just two games at home following a seven-game road trip, the Kings will return to the plane for three more away games.
To kick off their challenging three-game road trip, the Kings will travel to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder currently sit fourth in a stacked Western Conference, one game back from first place but four and a half games ahead of the fifth-place Kings.
Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City is a young, hungry squad with high aspirations this season.
The Kings and Thunder have met twice this season, with Sacramento winning both matchups. In their last meeting, the Kings got the best of Oklahoma City with a 128-123 home win, but the star point guards dueled it out in an exciting one. Thunder's SGA finished with 43 points and nine assists, while Kings' De'Aaron Fox had 41 points with seven assists.
The Kings and Thunder have released their Injury Reports heading into Super Bowl Sunday's electric matchup.
Sacramento Kings:
Chris Duarte - OUT (ankle)
Sasha Vezenkov - OUT (ankle)
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Gordon Hayward - OUT (calf)
Bismack Biyombo - OUT (not with team)
The Kings will be without Chris Duarte for the third consecutive game with an ankle sprain, but the backup wing has ultimately fallen out of Sacramento's rotation when healthy. A bigger blow for Sacramento comes from Sasha Vezenkov missing more time, who missed seven games with an ankle sprain, came back for two, then got re-injured.
Oklahoma City's inactives come from two of their trade deadline pieces. Gordon Hayward, acquired from the Charlotte Hornets, is not expected to suit up for the Thunder until after the All-Star break, but the added veteran wing presence will make the talented OKC squad even scarier.
The two top-five Western Conference squads clashing will make for a fantastic pre-Super Bowl game, and fans should be in for a good one. The Kings and Thunder tip off at noon PT.
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