Kings vs. Mavericks gameday: Luka’s injury, Naji Marshall suspension and 3 things to watch

Kings center Domantas Sabonis was asked how much the Kings need a win to boost morale after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.

“Badly,” Sabonis said. “We need it badly.”

The Kings will have a chance to end their six-game losing streak when they play host to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento with Luka Doncic out due to injury.

The Kings (13-18) are 12^th in the Western Conference playoff race, three games out of the final play-in spot. They are in the midst of their longest losing streak since dropping seven in a row in January 2022.

The Mavericks (20-12) are fourth in the West. They had won three of four before suffering a 126-122 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday despite a 46-point game from Kyrie Irving.

Here are three things to watch in Monday’s game.

Injury and suspension news

The Mavericks will be missing some key players.

Doncic is out with a left hip contusion, Dante Exum is recovering from right wrist surgery and Naji Marshall is serving a league suspension. In addition, Dereck Lively II is questionable with a left hip contusion.

The Mavericks announced on Thursday that Doncic will be sidelined at least four weeks due to a left calf strain. Doncic, a top MVP candidate up to this point, is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals.

Marshall was suspended four games without pay for punching Jusuf Nurkic in the face during an on-court altercation with the Phoenix Suns on Friday. He is averaging 10.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 23.2 minutes as a top reserve.

Defending Kyrie Irving

The Kings will have their hands full with Irving, who is still carving up defenses in his 14^th NBA season.

Irving is averaging 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He is shooting 48.9% from the field and a career-high 44.5% from 3-point range on 7.2 attempts per game. He is also shooting 99.6% at the free-throw line.

Update: The Mavericks have ruled Irving out due to right shoulder soreness.

Starting lineup

Interim coach Doug Christie made no changes to the starting lineup in his first game against the Lakers on Saturday, a day after the Kings fired Mike Brown.

The Kings are 4-8 since Malik Monk moved into the starting lineup ahead of Kevin Huerter. Monk is averaging 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists during Sacramento’s current losing streak, but he is shooting 40.7% from the field and 30.8% from 3-point range while committing 3.3 turnovers per game.

Mavericks at Kings

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -4.5

Over/under: 230.5

Injury report

Mavericks: QUESTIONABLE — Dereck Lively II (hip). OUT — Luka Doncic (hip); Dante Exum (wrist); Naji Marshall (league suspension).

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Jae Crowder (back). OUT — Devin Carter (reconditioning); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Colby Jones (G League); Isaac Jones (G League); Mason Jones (G League); Orlando Robinson (G League).

Upcoming schedule

Dec. 30 vs. Dallas Mavericks

Jan. 1 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Jan. 3 vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Jan. 5 at Golden State Warriors

This story was originally published December 30, 2024, 5:00 AM.