For the first time in months, the Sacramento Kings are in danger of losing their spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament. At 35-37, they are just a half game ahead of the tenth-seeded Phoenix Suns and eleventh-seeded Dallas Mavericks. If they lose this game, they give both those teams a chance to jump them in the standings.
This makes their upcoming game against the Portland Trail Blazers (who are also still in the play-in race) as close to a must-win game as you can get at this point of the season.
So, who will the Kings have available to them for this crucial contest? What about the Blazers? Here is the full injury report ahead of this game.
Sacramento Kings Injury Report
Outside of a few brief rough patches, the Kings have been a pretty healthy team for most of the season. On the year, they have the third-fewest dollars lost from player injuries of any team in the NBA (per Spotrac). However, tonight looks like it will be a different story. Heading into tonight, the Kings have three rotation players (including one starter) on their injury report.
According to the team's official injury report, Malik Monk (illness), Devin Carter (illness), and Jake LaRavia (left thumb soreness) are all listed as "questionable." In general, when a player receives this designation, it means they have a roughly 50/50 chance of playing in the game.
Monk has missed the last three games with his illness. Meanwhile, Carter missed the Kings' loss to the Boston Celtics and was limited to just three minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder. LaRavia played 21 minutes in that Thunder game, tallying 11 points, three steals, two assists, and two rebounds.
Update: Carter and Monk will be available for tonight's game. LaRavia has officially been ruled out.
Portland Trail Blazers Injury Report
The injury bug has been much less kind to the Trail Blazers. On the season, they have the sixth-most dollars lost to player injuries. For this game, they have five players listed on the injury report.
Deandre Ayton (calf), Bryce McGowens (rib), and Robert Williams III (knee) are all listed as "out." Jerami Grant is "doubtful" with a knee injury. So, he's got about a 25% chance of playing. And their defensive ace, Toumani Camara, is "questionable" with a foot injury.
Update: Camara will be available, while Grant is out.
This game marks the final one of the Kings' seven game home stand. After this, they will begin a six-game road trip against the Orlando Magic on Saturday, March 29.