Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets: Injury Report, Predicted Lineups and Starting 5s - January 7th, 2022 | NBA Season 2021-22
The Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets will face off against each other in a Western Conference matchup at the Ball Arena on Friday. It will be the first encounter between the two teams this season.
Sacramento come into the game on the back of a 108-102 loss against the Atlanta Hawks. De'Aaron Fox scored 30 points in the game on 52.2% shooting from the field. His efforts were not enough to prevent a loss on the night, as the team once again fell short in the fourth quarter. It was their third loss in five games and has dropped them to 11th in the West.
The Kings will be hoping to get back to winning ways against the Nuggets and remain in contention for a play-in berth.
https://t.co/fc117M0veX
As far as the Nuggets are concerned, they come into the game on the back of a disappointing 115-109 loss to the Utah Jazz. Nikola Jokic secured yet another triple-double, but the team's poor third-quarter cost them the game.
They have lost their last two games and will now be looking to get back to winning ways with a victory in this home game.
Sacramento Kings Injury Report
The Kings have confirmed that Richaun Holmes and Chimezie Metu have been ruled out due to Health and Safety Protocols. To add to their woes, Terrance Davis has been listed as questionable due to left ankle soreness.
The team's two-way players, Louis King, Neemias Queta, Jahmi'us Ramsey and Robert Woodard II are all listed out due to G-League assignments.
Sacramento Kings C Richaun Holmes has entered Covid protocols, sources tell ESPN. He’s averaged 12.6 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
The Denver Nuggets have a long list of player injuries ahead of the game. Jamal Murray, Vlatko Cancar, Michael Porter Jr. and PJ Dozier will remain sidelined due to long-term injuries. The team has listed Aaron Gordon and Bones Hyland as probable. The two Nuggets players in protocol - Jeff Green and Zeke Nnaji - are listed as questionable for this game.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Vlatko Cancar! 🙏 https://t.co/uASI9aPvkH
Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets: Predicted Starting Lineups
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings have failed to live up to expectations this season. They have a wide array of talented youngsters, but their weak defense has cost them a lot of games. Sacramento has tried a lot of different rotations this season, but all of them seem to have yielded poor results.
Going into the game against the Nuggets, the team will look to start De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton in the backcourt. Veteran Harrison Barnes will share the frontcourt with Marvin Bagley III, while Damian Jones starts at center.
.@swipathefox refusing to let up 😤
Fox ties the game with a drive-and-1. https://t.co/2T26pP0nDq
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have done extremely well, despite losing out on several of their stars due to injuries. They have adapted well to all situations and this could be attributed to the presence of talented players on their roster.
Back-to-back defeats have caused the Nuggets to slip to seventh, and Mike Malone will be desperate for a win to steady the ship.
Malone will likely go with Monte Morris and Will Barton in the frontcourt, Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green in the backcourt and Nikola Jokic at center.
Nikola has entered takeover mode 😤 https://t.co/LeFNaLSRJQ
Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets: Predicted Starting 5s
Sacramento Kings
Point Guard - De'Aaron Fox, Shooting Guard - Tyrese Haliburton, Small Forward - Harrison Barnes, Power Forward - Marvin Bagley III, Center - Damian Jones
Denver Nuggets
Point Guard - Monte Morris, Shooting Guard - Will Barton, Small Forward - Aaron Gordon, Power Forward - Jeff Green, Center - Nikola Jokic