Is De’Aaron Fox playing tonight? Latest update for Kings vs. Lakers

Even with the new resting policy, fans can never be truly sure that their team’s stars will suit up for every game. Older players or players rehabbing from injuries might sit out back-to-backs. All-Stars might sit out low-profile games against rebuilding teams to get some extra rest during a long regular season.

Just in the first week, the top-heavy Phoenix Suns already played without Bradley Beale so far and Devin Booker missed the last two games. Likewise, the Cavaliers faced the Pacers without Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen, and the Heat lost to the Timberwolves with Jimmy Butler on the bench.

Kings stars were very available last season

Last season, the Kings were one of the few teams whose stars were regularly available. All of their starters played at least 73 games, and the two All-Stars—De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis—played 73 and 79 games respectively.

That kind of availability is never a guarantee and many experts have claimed before that injury luck was the main reason for the Kings’ success. While availability gave the Kings a significant edge, they weren’t always healthy.

Players just played through injuries. Sabonis, for example, fractured his thumb in December but still played the entire season.

Is De’Aaron Fox playing tonight?

To ensure another healthy season and that their top players will be available for another possible postseason appearance, the Kings might decide to rest De’Aaron Fox every once in a while.

Tonight, that is not the case, however. Fox will be available for the Kings’ first meeting with the Lakers, another team expected to be a contender in the West.

Who is all out tonight?

So far, the injury report lists Trey Lyles as the only Kings player to miss the game. This is the third game he’ll have to sit out with a calf strain, meaning that Sasha Vezenkov will see minutes as the backup four again.

The Lakers are down their three two-way players, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Jahren Vanderbilt while Cam Reddish is probable.

No stars for either team are mentioned, so barring some big change, both teams will be bringing their A-Game to Golden 1 Center tonight.