Kings vs. Bulls gameday: DeRozan returns, Fox injury, LaVine trade talk, 3 things to watch

The Kings will try to extend their winning streak to seven games when they visit the Chicago Bulls in the second game of a three-game road trip Sunday at United Center.

DeMar DeRozan will return to Chicago for the first time since coming to Sacramento in a three-team sign-and-trade deal last summer. De’Aaron Fox is considered questionable after missing the past three games with a right glute contusion.

Fox turned in a memorable performance in a 123-115 victory over the Bulls in Chicago last season. He scored 41 points with his son, Reign, sitting courtside on his first birthday.

The Kings (19-19) posted their most impressive victory of the season Friday despite the absence of Fox, beating the Boston Celtics 114-97 at TD Garden. They have won six in a row under interim coach Doug Christie, jumping from 12^th to ninth in the NBA’s Western Conference playoff race.

The Bulls (17-20) are coming off a 138-105 victory over the Washington Wizards. They have won three of four and five of seven to move up to 10^th in the Eastern Conference.

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

Defending Zach LaVine

The Kings will have to contain Bulls guard Zach LaVine if they want to keep their winning streak alive.

LaVine has posted five consecutive 30-point games, shooting 59.8% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range. He scored 33 points in Friday’s win over the Wizards. He had 35 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in Monday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs.

LaVine has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time. The Kings have shown interest in the past. More recently, LaVine has been linked to trade talks with the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans, but his massive contract could make him difficult to move. He is owed $43 million this season and $46 million next season with a $49 million player option in 2026-27.

DeRozan returns to Chicago

DeRozan will make his first stop in Chicago as a member of the Kings after spending the past three seasons with the Bulls.

DeRozan is a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection who had three of his best seasons in Chicago, where he averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game in 2021-22.

The Kings acquired DeRozan over the summer in a blockbuster deal, adding him to a roster that already featured Fox, Malik Monk, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis. DeRozan is averaging 20.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 48% from the field and 31.3% from 3-point range.

Going streaking

The Kings are riding their longest winning streak since winning six in a row in November 2023. They haven’t won seven in a row since November 2022, the season they won 48 games to end the longest playoff drought in NBA history after 16 consecutive losing seasons.

Kings at Bulls

When: 12:30 p.m.

Where: United Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -3.5

Over/under: 238.5

Injury report

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — De’Aaron Fox (glute). OUT — Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League).

Bulls: PROBABLE — Patrick Williams (elbow). QUESTIONABLE — Coby White (neck). DOUBTFUL — Ayo Dosunmu (calf). OUT — Torrey Craig (leg); E.J. Liddell (G League); Emanuel Miller (G League); Adam Sanogo (knee).

Upcoming schedule

Jan. 12 at Chicago Bulls

Jan. 14 at Milwaukee Bucks

Jan. 16 vs. Houston Rockets

Jan. 19 vs. Washington Wizards

Jan. 22 vs. Golden State Warriors