Kings vs. Celtics gameday: De’Aaron Fox injury update, trade rumors and 3 things to watch

by · The Fresno Bee

De’Aaron Fox’s status remains uncertain as the Kings prepare to put their five-game winning streak on the line against the Boston Celtics on Friday at TD Garden.

Fox is considered questionable after missing the past two games with a right glute contusion. He has not played since taking a hard fall in Jan. 3 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Kings (18-19) have won five of their first six games under interim coach Doug Christie. They will visit the Celtics, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks as part of a tough three-game road trip after playing nine of their last 11 games at home.

The Kings are tied with the San Antonio Spurs for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. They are 2 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 6 seed.

The Celtics (27-10) are second in the Eastern Conference, six games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are coming off a 118-106 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

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

Sacramento’s surge

Over the past six games, the Kings are tied for second in the NBA in scoring at 122.5 points per game. They are sixth in offensive rating (118.4), eighth in defensive rating (110.4) and sixth in net rating (7.9).

Over that stretch, the Kings are No. 2 in free-throw percentage (.865) and offensive rebounding (13.8), tied for third in steals (9.7), fifth in assists (30.0), sixth in plus/minus (+7.7), seventh in rebounding (47.0), 11th in field-goal percentage (.472) and 13th in 3-point percentage (.359).

Stoppin’ Boston

The Celtics have size, talent and depth with six players scoring in double figures. They are led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.

Tatum is averaging 28.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Brown averages 23.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Porzingis (18.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), White (17.1 ppg), Payton Pritchard (14.8 ppg) and Jrue Holiday (12.2 ppg) are also playing key roles for the defending NBA champions.

Trade rumors

The Kings will be involved in all kinds of trade rumors in the weeks leading up to the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Forbes NBA insider Evan Sidery reports the Kings, Lakers, Nuggets, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns are among the teams that have expressed interest in Nick Richards, a 7-foot center in his fifth season with the Charlotte Hornets. Richards, 27, is averaging 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 21.1 minutes per game.

Kings at Celtics

When: 4:30 p.m.

Where: TD Garden

TV: NBC Sports California, NBA TV

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Celtics -10.5

Over/under: 230.5

Injury report

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

Celtics: QUESTIONABLE — Jordan Walsh (illness). OUT — JD Davison (G League); Drew Peterson (concussion protocol); Baylor Scheierman (G League); Anton Watson (G League).

Upcoming schedule

Jan. 10 at Boston Celtics

Jan. 12 at Chicago Bulls

Jan. 14 at Milwaukee Bucks

Jan. 16 vs. Houston Rockets

Jan. 19 vs. Washington Wizards