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DeMar DeRozan injury status and update ahead of NBA Cup game against Minnesota Timberwolves

By Mat Issa

Oct 24, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Oct 24, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images / Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
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Tonight, the Sacramento Kings play their first NBA Cup game against the Minnesota Timberwolves – the team that narrowly defeated them in their first game of the season. The Kings need to set the tone if they plan on advancing to the Knockout Rounds (to learn more about those, check out this post).

But who will be healthy for them? Who will be healthy for the Timberwolves? In this post, we give the full injury report heading into tonight's game.

Sacramento Kings Injury Report

The biggest question mark for tonight will be the status of DeMar DeRozan. The notorious iron man (he's played at least 74 games in each of the last three seasons) left the Kings' game against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday with a back injury and did not return.

Unfortunately, things do not look good for the six-time All-Star. According to ESPN's team injury report, DeRozan did not practice yesterday (Thursday) and is currently listed as "doubtful" for tonight's game.

A good general rule for these injury designations is that probable means a 75% of playing, questionable means a 50% chance, and doubtful (where DeRozan currently is) means about a 25% chance. So, the odds are not in DeRozan's favor.

For a singular regular season game, losing a player like DeRozan usually isn't a big deal, as this Kings roster has an abundance of on-ball creation. However, the team will also be without Malik Monk for the next few weeks (ankle). So, their abundance has now turned into a scarcity.

On top of these two absences, the Kings will continue to be without their 2024 first round pick, Devin Carter (shoulder), and their free agent acquisition, Orlando Robinson (MCL). Although, the latter is getting closer to returning to the court.

Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Update

As of right now, there is no one listed on the Timberwolves' ESPN injury report. This should come as no surprise, as the Timberwolves have been the healthiest team in the NBA (*knocks wood*). So far, the team has only had one player miss one singular game due to injury (per Spotrac).

The game against the Timberwolves is the first leg of a home back-to-back for the Kings. The second leg will be against the Utah Jazz (3-8). The Kings (7-5) need to win this game against the Timberwolves (6-6) to keep Minnesota behind them in the highly contentious Western Conference standings.

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