Missing their franchise star and two key contributors, the Clippers will take on the Sacramento Kings, who are missing darn near everybody. Such is the state of the NBA in December 2021. Read on for this full preview of the Kings vs. Clippers:
Game Information
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
When: 7:00 PM PT
How to Watch: Bally Sports SoCal, NBA TV, AM 570 KLAC
Starting Lineups
Clippers: Reggie Jackson — Luke Kennard — Terance Mann — Paul George — Ivica Zubac
Kings: Tyrese Haliburton — Buddy Hield — Harrison Barnes — Chimezie Metu — Tristan Thompson
Injuries
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard — Out (ACL), Marcus Morris — Out (COVID-19), Isaiah Hartenstein — Out (Ankle), Jason Preston — Out (Foot), Keon Johnson — Out (G-League), Jay Scrubb — Out (G-League)
Kings: De’Aaron Fox (COVID-19), Marvin Bagley III – Out (COVID-19), Terence Davis – Out (COVID-19), Davion Mitchell – Out (COVID-19), Alex Len – Out (COVID-19), Louis King – Out (COVID-19), Neemias Queta – Out (COVID-19), Richaun Holmes – Game-Time Decision (Eye)
The Big Picture
. . . has dimmed.
The Clippers are scuffling again, having most recently been run off their home floor by the middleweight Spurs despite the return of Paul George and Serge Ibaka. Ty Lue expressed justifiable consternation over the 114 points his defense allowed. The joy of victory over the Suns has faded.
One can point to the Clippers’ shorthanded roster. It should be remembered that missing Kawhi Leonard for all or most of the season is a profound kind of shorthandedness. George’s return will solidify the ranks, even if his elbow objects.
And, perversely, the Clippers’ injury report suddenly looks mild(ish) in comparison to the league at-large. The Clippers have a lone player, Marcus Morris Sr, in the health and safety protocols. Unlike their opponent tonight, their injury report largely consists of . . . injuries. They have enough to win. Look at the other guys.
The Antagonist
. . . is going to play tonight, I guess.
In addition to all the names above, the Kings have played their last four games without head coach Alvin Gentry, who is also battling COVID-19. Assistant and current acting head coach Doug Christie has guided the team to two wins as the third head coach the franchise has used this season. (Don’t forget that Gentry himself only has the interim title after Luke Walton’s firing.) What are we to make of a team that has beaten the Clippers twice already, when most of that team is in isolation?
The Kings are on a one-game win streak against the Clippers in Sacramento, having dropped the previous fifteen such matchups. Their formula is simple: outwork the Clippers. Hit the boards. Make threes. It doesn’t feel much like coincidence that the creaky Clippers have consistently lost games to younger, seemingly outmatched opponents. The Kings can win with a young man’s game. They’ll have to — that’s practically all they have left.
Game Thread
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