Kings vs. Lakers gameday: Mike Brown fired, lineup, injury reports and 3 things to watch

Doug Christie will take over as interim coach when the Sacramento Kings visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.

The Kings will try to snap a five-game losing streak a day after firing coach Mike Brown, who was relieved of his duties following practice Friday as the Kings prepared for their flight to Los Angeles.

The Kings (13-18) have lost 12 of their last 17 games to fall to 12^th in the Western Conference, three games out of the final play-in spot. They blew a 19-point lead and gave up a four-point play in the final seconds of a 114-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, capping an 0-5 homestand.

The Lakers (17-13) are fifth in the West, 2 ½ games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 4 seed. The Lakers have won four of their last five games, including a thrilling 115-113 win over the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day.

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

Injury reports

Both teams have key players listed on their injury reports for Saturday’s game.

The Kings are listing All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis as questionable after he missed Thursday’s game against the Pistons due to illness.

The Lakers are listing LeBron James (illness), Anthony Davis (left ankle sprain), Rui Hachimura (illness) and Jaxson Hayes (right ankle sprain) as questionable. D’Angelo Russell (left thumb sprain) is probable. Jalen Hood-Schifino (left hamstring strain), Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery) and Christian Wood (left knee surgery) are out.

Starting lineup

Choosing a starting lineup will be one of Christie’s first moves as interim head coach.

The Kings have gone 4-7 since Malik Monk replaced Kevin Huerter as the team’s starting shooting guard. Christie could stick with Monk, go back to Huerter or turn to Keon Ellis.

The current lineup of De’Aaron Fox, Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Sabonis has a 112.7 offensive rating, a 111.8 defensive rating and a +0.9 net rating in 235 minutes.

The lineup of Fox, Huerter, DeRozan, Murray and Sabonis has a 114.9 offensive rating, a 106.3 defensive rating and a +8.6 net rating in 181 minutes.

The lineup of Fox, Ellis, DeRozan, Murray and Sabonis has a 133.7 offensive rating, a 106.5 defensive rating and a +27.2 net rating in 54 minutes.

Season series

The Kings owned the Lakers in recent years, winning five in a row, eight of nine and 12 of 16 dating back to the end of the 2019-20 season, but this season has been a different story.

Los Angeles is 3-0 against Sacramento this season. The Lakers beat the Kings 131-127 in Los Angeles on Oct. 26 and twice last week in Sacramento, winning 113-100 on Dec. 19 and 103-99 on Dec. 21.

Kings at Lakers

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Lakers -2.5

Over/under: 224.5

Injury report

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Domantas Sabonis (illness). OUT — Devin Carter (G League); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League).

Lakers: PROBABLE — D’Angelo Russell (thumb). QUESTIONABLE — Anthony Davis (ankle); Rui Hachimura (illness); Jaxson Hayes (ankle); LeBron James (illness). OUT — Jalen Hood-Schifino (hamstring); Bronny James (G League); Maxwell Lewis (G League); Jarred Vanderbilt (foot).

Upcoming schedule

Dec. 28 at Los Angeles Lakers

Dec. 30 vs. Dallas Mavericks

Jan. 1 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Jan. 3 vs. Memphis Grizzlies