Last season, the New Orleans Pelicans absolutely had the Sacramento Kings number, beating them all six times the two teams squared off. Now, here the Kings are trying to get back on track (they are 11-13 and 12th in the Western Conference) after three days rest.
But who will the Kings need to deal with if they hope to vanquish their kryptonite from last year? Who will they have available to them in the process? Here is the full injury report ahead of tonight's game.
Sacramento Kings Injury Report
After going through a rough patch on the injury front, the Kings are getting back to the trend of good health they have endured over the last two years (*knocks wood aggressively*). The only player in their normal rotation currently listed on the injury report is Trey Lyles.
Lyles is out with the calf strain he suffered against the Oklahoma City Thunder last week. Lyles won't be getting re-evaluated until the end of the month. So, there is a good chance we won't see him for the rest of 2024.
Notice how we said the only player in their "normal rotation." The Kings are still missing their 2024 first round draft pick, Devin Carter. Carter has yet to have a chance to crack the rotation, as he's spent the entire first portion of the season recovering from an offseason shoulder injury.
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
While the Pelicans may have had our number last year, they don't even have six total wins yet this year. Through 25 games, the Pelicans are dead last in the Western Conference with a lowly 5-20 record.
The reason for their pitiful record is all the injuries they have been forced to endure. The Pelicans have the second-most player games lost due to injury (113, per Spotrac) – second behind only the Memphis Grizzlies.
This game against the Kings is no different. They will be without Karlo Matkovic (back), Jordan Hawkins (back), Brandon Ingram (ankle), and Jose Alvarado (hamstring). Javonte Green is currently listed as questionable (meaning he has about a 50/50 chance) with an ankle injury as well.
As for Williamson, the Kings Killer will not be available as he continues to rehabilitate a hamstring injury that he reaggravated in early November. This will be the 17th straight game he's missed.
After this game, the Kings will get another three-day break before they host the Denver Nuggets on Monday, December 16.