Kings vs. Bucks gameday: Monk, Antetokounmpo, Middleton injury updates; 3 things to watch

The Kings will try to match their longest winning streak in 21 years when they wrap up a three-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday at Fiserv Forum.

The Kings have won seven in a row for the first time since November 2022. They haven’t won eight in a row since Nov. 14-Dec. 5, 2003.

Kings guard Malik Monk is questionable due to a right groin strain. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is probable with right patella tendinopathy. Khris Middleton has been ruled out due to bilateral ankle injury management.

The Kings (20-19) have jumped from 12^th to ninth in the Western Conference playoff race. They are 1 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 6 seed.

The Bucks (20-17) are sixth in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind the Indiana Pacers and one game behind the Orlando Magic.

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

Middleton ruled out

The absence of Middleton could be significant for the Bucks, who had won three in a row before suffering a 140-106 loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Middleton missed the first 21 games of the season after undergoing offseason surgery on both ankles. He has appeared in 15 of the past 16 games, but he will miss Tuesday’s game due to injury management.

Middleton is a three-time All-Star. He is averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.7% from 3-point range.

Dealing with Giannis

Barring a setback, the Kings will have to find a way to deal with Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who is still a force in his 12^th season NBA season.

Antetokounmpo is averaging a career-high 31.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals. He had 41 points and 14 rebounds in Friday’s win over Orlando. He scored 59 points in an overtime win over the Detroit Pistons earlier this season.

Missing Monk?

Monk has been one of the biggest catalysts during Sacramento’s winning streak.

Over the past seven games, he is averaging 22.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.7 steals. He is shooting just 42.1% from the field and 29.3% from 3-point range during that stretch, but he has converted 93.9% of his free throws on 4.7 attempts per game.

Kings at Bucks

When: 5 p.m.

Where: Fiserv Forum

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Bucks -2.5

Over/under: 231.5

Injury report

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Malik Monk (groin). OUT — Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League).

Bucks: PROBABLE — Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee). QUESTIONABLE — Ryan Rollins (illness); Gary Trent Jr. (hip). OUT — AJ Johnson (G League); Chris Livingston (G League); Khris Middleton (ankle); Tyler Smith (G League).

Upcoming schedule

Jan. 14 at Milwaukee Bucks

Jan. 16 vs. Houston Rockets

Jan. 19 vs. Washington Wizards

Jan. 22 vs. Golden State Warriors

Jan. 23 at Denver Nuggets

This story was originally published January 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM.