Game Details
- Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PST).
- Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA. This gives the Kings home-court advantage in a matchup of the Western Conference’s two worst teams.
- Broadcast: Available on Gulf Coast Sports (local for Pelicans), NBCS-CA (local for Kings), Pelicans+, and NBA League Pass.
The New Orleans Pelicans (19-44) visit the Sacramento Kings (14-49) in a Western Conference clash between the league’s two lowest-ranked teams. New Orleans sits 13th in the West, while Sacramento is dead last at 15th, both well out of playoff contention and eyeing lottery odds.
Recent Team Forms
New Orleans is 6-4 in their last 10, showing signs of life amid a rebuild. They recently lost 101-110 to the Lakers on March 3 (shooting 42.2% FG) and 117-137 to the Clippers on March 1, but won back-to-back vs. Utah (115-105 on Feb. 28, 129-118 on Feb. 26). The Pelicans average 116.9 PPG in wins but drop to 102.0 in losses, with rookies like Derik Queen (15.8 PPG recently) stepping up.
Sacramento is 3-7 in their last 10, on an eight-game home losing streak. They fell 103-114 to Phoenix on March 3 (45.6% FG) and 104-128 to the Lakers on March 1, but upset Dallas 130-121 on Feb. 26. The Kings average 110.6 PPG over the stretch but allow 118+, with Maxime Raynaud (15.8 PPG, 11.0 RPG in last 9) a bright spot amid injuries.
Injury Report
Both teams are ravaged by injuries, but Sacramento’s absences are more severe.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Dejounte Murray | PG | Out | Return to Competition Reconditioning |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Trey Murphy III | SF | Questionable | Neck Spasm |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Zion Williamson | PF | Questionable | Right Ankle Sprain |
| Sacramento Kings | Dylan Cardwell | C | Out | Left Ankle Sprain |
| Sacramento Kings | De’Andre Hunter | SF | Out For Season | Eye (Retinal Repair) |
| Sacramento Kings | Keegan Murray | PF | Out | Left Ankle Sprain |
| Sacramento Kings | Domantas Sabonis | PF | Out For Season | Back |
| Sacramento Kings | Zach LaVine | SG | Out For Season | Finger (Tendon Repair) |
New Orleans could miss Williamson’s scoring (24 PPG) and Murphy’s shooting (22 PPG), but Murray’s absence hurts playmaking. Sacramento lacks Sabonis (rebounding leader) and LaVine (scoring), forcing reliance on rookies like Raynaud.
Key Player Matchups
Rookies take center stage in this lottery preview:
- Derik Queen (NOP) vs. Maxime Raynaud (SAC): Queen (15.8 PPG, 11.0 RPG in last 9) brings inside scoring against Raynaud’s rebounding (22 PTS, 10 REB in last game). Raynaud’s efficiency (10/12 FG recently) could dominate if Williamson sits.
- Jeremiah Fears (NOP) vs. DeMar DeRozan (SAC): Fears (15.8 PPG off bench recently) faces DeRozan’s veteran scoring (18.2 PPG). Fears’ athleticism (20 PTS in prior matchup) could shine vs. a depleted Kings backcourt.
- Saddiq Bey (NOP) vs. Nique Clifford (SAC): Bey (18 PPG recently, 26.7 on road trip) exploits Sacramento’s weak frontcourt. Clifford’s defense (1.5 SPG) needs to contain Bey’s shooting (45% 3PT).
- Bench Impact: New Orleans’ Fears provides spark (15.8 PPG, 3.8 APG lately); Sacramento leans on Raynaud and reserves for energy amid starters’ absences.
Series History
New Orleans holds a 46-36 all-time edge over Sacramento in 82 regular-season games.
The Pelicans have won the last two: 120-94 on Feb. 9, 2026 (home), and 140-133 on Feb. 13, 2025 (home). Sacramento’s last win was in 2024; games often go over (4 of last 6).
Betting Trends
- Spread: Pelicans are 33-29-0 ATS overall, 15-16 ATS on road. Kings are 23-38-2 ATS, 11-20 ATS at home.
- Total (O/U): Over has hit in 32 of Pelicans’ 63 games; 31 of Kings’ 63. Combined averages suggest 220.3 PPG, but recent trends lean over.
- Trends: Pelicans 6-4 ATS in last 10; Kings 3-7 ATS, 0-8 ATS at home lately. Under in 6 of Kings’ last 10.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans – 5.5
Sacramento Kings 234.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, March 4, 2026
