Kings vs. Heat gameday: De’Aaron Fox injury, Jimmy Butler suspension and 3 things to watch

The Kings are riding their first four-game winning streak of the season as they prepare to face the Miami Heat on the second night of a back-to-back Monday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The Kings improved to 4-1 under interim coach Doug Christie with a 129-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Kings could be missing point guard De’Aaron Fox, who was ruled out for Sunday’s game due to a right glute contusion. The Heat will not have the services of six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, who has been suspended for seven games for conduct detrimental to the team after reportedly requesting a trade.

The Kings (17-19) have moved up to 11th in the Western Conference, one game out of the final play-in spot. They are still 3 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers, who are tied for fifth in a crowded playoff race in the West.

The Heat (17-16) and Milwaukee Bucks are tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference. Miami is coming off back-to-back home losses to the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz as the team sets out on a six-game, 11-day road trip.

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

De’Aaron Fox’s injury

There was no official word on Fox’s status for Monday’s game when the Kings played the Warriors on Sunday, but he could be out again against the Heat.

Fox was injured after being undercut by Jaren Jackson Jr. on a dunk attempt with 43.8 seconds remaining in Friday’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Fox is averaging 26.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.6 steals.

Absence of Jimmy Butler

The Heat suspended Butler following his postgame news conference after Thursday’s 128-115 loss to the Pacers.

Butler said he wanted to “get my joy back from playing basketball.” Asked if he could do that with the Heat, Butler said: “Probably not.” A short time later, ESPN reported Butler was seeking a trade to any other team.

Butler is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 55.2% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range.

More Malik Monk

Christie didn’t just keep Monk in the starting lineup when he took over as interim head coach. He encouraged him to play freely, saying the Kings will live with his mistakes so his “greatness” can “continue to shine.”

Over the past five games, Monk is averaging 22.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 47.4% from the field. He is shooting 38.5% from 3-point range on 7.8 attempts per game and 96% at the free-throw line on 5.0 attempts per game.

Heat at Kings

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: NBC Sports California, NBA TV

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -3.5

Over/under: 223.5

Injury report

Heat: AVAILABLE — Nikola Jovic (hand). QUESTIONABLE — Haywood Highsmith (personal). DOUBTFUL — Josh Richardson (heel). OUT — Jimmy Butler (team suspension); Dru Smith (Achilles); Isaiah Stevens (G League).

Kings: Not yet submitted.

Upcoming schedule

Jan. 6 vs. Miami Heat

Jan. 10 at Boston Celtics

Jan. 12 at Chicago Bulls

Jan. 14 at Milwaukee Bucks

Jan. 16 vs. Houston Rockets