Who: Phoenix Suns (11-7) @ Sacramento Kings (5-13)
When: 8:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7, KSUN
The Phoenix
Suns stayed locked in through the first three quarters Sunday night against the Houston Rockets, but collapsed late, falling to a Rockets team that was simply too athletic and too talented to keep pace with in the fourth quarter.
Tonight, the Suns are in Sacramento to take on a Kings team coming off impressive back-to-back victories over the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Their 5-13 record sits at the bottom of the standings, but it’s misleading. Sacramento has been trending upward and showing signs of life on both ends of the floor.
An all-out effort tonight is necessary for the Suns to pull off a much-needed win and get back on track, rather than letting a losing streak derail an otherwise fantastic start to the season. This game demands discipline, closing out shooters, strong defensive rebounding, and sharper decision-making late.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Grayson Allen – OUT (Right Quadriceps Contusion)
- Ryan Dunn – OUT (Right Wrist Sprain)
- Jalen Green – OUT (Right Hamstring Strain)
Kings
- Domantas Sabonis – OUT (Partially Torn Meniscus)
- Dennis Schroder — QUESTIONABLE (Right Hip Soreness)
What to Watch For
A hungry team supported by an energized fan base, the Kings are ready to spark a winning streak with franchise cornerstone Keegan Murray back in the lineup. It won’t be an easy task for the Suns, especially when dealing with the 6’8” sharpshooter in transition and his ability to stretch the floor early in possessions.
The Suns have back-to-back games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets this weekend, so if Phoenix looks flat early, it could be the result of a worn-down start to the season or a team conserving its energy for the tough stretch ahead. However, that shouldn’t be the case. Every game matters, and this group knows it.
With DeMar DeRozan averaging 18.7 points per game and Zach LaVine leading the team with 20.5 points per game, Murray is the complementary piece this team needs to get over the hump in close matchups and keep pace with stronger opponents.
Expect an early surge from Sacramento as they look to set the tone immediately, jump on top of the Suns, and protect their home court with momentum on their side.
Keys to a Suns Victory
Matching the energy of Russell Westbrook and the bench scoring of Malik Monk will be key if the Suns hope to pull off a late-night win against the Kings.
Monk led the Kings’ second unit with 22 points in their recent victory over the Timberwolves, and with the Suns missing Ryan Dunn and Grayson Allen again tonight, Phoenix’s bench is stretched thin. All eyes will turn to Collin Gillespie, and for good reason.
Can Collin keep his momentum going and provide reliable scoring and ball movement? The Suns need it, at least until Allen, Dunn, and Jalen Green return to stabilize the rotation.
On the other side, Westbrook cruised against the Nuggets in what felt like a revenge game, turning in his best statistical performance of the season. Dillon Brooks will have a full defensive plate trying to match that energy. Keep an eye on this matchup, it has the look of a physical battle that could even spark a technical foul or two.
Prediction
The Suns win.
Suns 126, Kings 125
