In order to beat the scorching-hot Pelicans, the Kings were going to need rookie point guard De'Aaron Fox to have a big game.
Instead, they lost Fox to a lower back strain just five minutes into the game.
Fox exited during a break in action at the 6:56 but appeared to be holding his back a few plays earlier.
During his brief five minutes of action, Fox scored two points on 1-of-3 shooting and dished out one assist. Fellow rookie Frank Mason replaced Fox in the lineup.
The Kings were leading 12-11 when Fox left the game, but trailed 32-21 by the end of the first quarter.
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