Kings vs. Hornets: Play-in race, injury reports and 3 things to watch

The Kings will try to bounce back from one of their worst losses of the season and stop their death spiral when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Friday at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.

The Kings are coming off a 116-111 loss to an injury depleted Washington Wizards team that has the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the second-worst record in the NBA. The Hornets have the second-worst record in the East and the third-worst record in the league.

The Kings (36-40) are 10^th in the Western Conference with a one-game lead over the Phoenix Suns for the final play-in spot. A win over the Hornets coupled with a Suns loss to the Boston Celtics would give Sacramento a two-game lead over Phoenix with five games remaining.

The Hornets (19-57) are coming off a 119-105 loss to the Indiana Pacers. They have lost six of seven and eight of their last 10.

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

Injury updates

Kings center Domantas Sabonis is questionable due to right ankle soreness. Rookie guard Devin Carter is questionable after missing the past two games with a right shoulder contusion. Jake LaRavia will miss his fifth consecutive game with a left thumb bone contusion.

The Hornets are missing four of their six leading scorers with LaMelo Ball (right ankle impingement), Brandon Miller (right wrist ligament repair), Tre Mann (disc herniation) and Grant Williams (right ACL repair) out due to injuries.

Who do Hornets have?

The Kings will still have to contend with Hornets forward Miles Bridges and probably center Mark Williams.

Bridges is averaging 20.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 43.6% from the field and 31.9% from 3-point range. Williams, who is listed as probable despite experiencing thoracic muscle spasms, averages 15.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.

Sacramento’s struggles

The Kings have lost seven of eight and 11 of 14 while trying to establish chemistry, continuity and some kind of identity after making major roster changes ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

Advanced analytics throughout the season suggested Keon Ellis’ recent move to the starting lineup would turn Sacramento into a formidable team, but that hasn’t happened yet.

The Kings are 3-7 with Ellis in the starting lineup over the past 15 games. They are 1-5 since Ellis formally replaced Malik Monk in the starting lineup, ranking 25^th in the NBA in offensive rating (107.9), 17^th in defensive rating (116.2) and 22^nd in net rating (-8.2).

Kings at Hornets

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Spectrum Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -10.5

Over/under: 219.5

Injury report

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Devin Carter (shoulder). OUT — Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League); Jake LaRavia (thumb).

Hornets: PROBABLE — Seth Curry (back); Taj Gibson (illness); Mark Williams (thoracic muscle spasm). QUESTIONABLE — Nick Smith Jr. (ankle). OUT — LaMelo Ball (ankle); Damion Baugh (hip); Josh Green (shoulder); Tre Mann (disc); Brandon Miller (wrist); Grant Williams (knee).

This story was originally published April 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM.