With legal issues hanging over his head, veteran point guard Ty Lawson hasn't been himself over the Kings' last eight games. He sat out Wednesday night's loss to the Bucks and he appeared in a Denver courtroom on Thursday to discuss possible probation violations.
Lawson's attorney disputed the claims against his client and was granted a six week stay in the case. Lawson will appear back in court on May 4, roughly three weeks after the end of the 2016-17 season.
Starting for the resting Darren Collison, Lawson went off against the Warriors Friday night, scoring 18 of his 20 points in the first half. He shot an impressive 8-of-9 from the field in just 24 minutes of action as he broke down Golden State's defense.
"Honestly, I think Ty's had a weight on his shoulders for the last four weeks or so and he just hasn't been himself," Joerger said after the 114-100 loss. "I think he looked much more relieved today, he smiled and he was the Ty that we know that he is still."
Lawson, 29, signed a one-year deal with the Kings in late August and is an unrestricted free agent come July 1.
