The Sacramento Kings are grateful that De’Aaron Fox has been playing through a thumb injury and other ailments, despite a dip in production recently. The Kings hope to see Fox regain his form on Monday night when they visit the Brooklyn Nets, who are currently on a 10-game home losing streak.
The Kings are 10-4 under interim coach Doug Christie after going 13-18 under Mike Brown. They are winless through the first two games of their six-game road trip and suffered their second-most lopsided loss of the season on Saturday, falling 143-120 to the New York Knicks.
Against the Knicks, Fox was limited to 14 points on 6-of-20 shooting from the field. This was the 10th time Fox has been held under 20 points this season, and the Kings are 5-5 in those games. Fox returned to the lineup after missing three games due to a right glute contusion and has averaged 17.1 points while shooting 35.0 percent (43 of 123) in seven games since his return.
Center Domantas Sabonis provided a bright spot for the Kings, posting his sixth triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists against the Knicks. Despite Sabonis’ efforts, the Kings struggled to contain the Knicks’ offense.
The Brooklyn Nets, on the other hand, are in a rough patch, having lost 11 of their last 12 games. They are coming off a 106-97 loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday, where they were held under 100 points for the eighth consecutive home game. The Nets’ average margin of defeat during their home skid is 14.9 points.
The Nets will be without Cam Thomas due to a left hamstring injury, and Cameron Johnson will sit out for the 10th time in 13 games due to a right ankle injury. Ben Simmons could also be out with back soreness.
Keon Johnson and D’Angelo Russell led the Nets with 22 points each in their loss to the Heat. Johnson has been shooting 45.7 percent from the floor in his past two games and is coming off consecutive 20-point games for the first time in his career.
The Kings will look to bounce back from their recent defeat and end the Nets’ home losing streak, while the Nets hope to turn things around and secure a much-needed win.
