SACRAMENTO -- Welcome back, basketball. After a week off, the Sacramento Kings return to the court Thursday evening to battle the star-studded Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings were well represented at All-Star weekend, with three young players seeing action in the Rising Stars game. Buddy Hield led the victorious World team in scoring, but it was shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic who took home the game's MVP award. De'Aaron Fox suited up for Team USA just days after taking a big spill. He had a quiet night off the bench in the loss.
Russell Westbrook and Paul George both played for Team LeBron during Sunday's All-Star game. Westbrook finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while George chipped in 16 points on 4-of-10 shooting from long range.
BETTING LINE
Thunder by 7.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Willie Cauley-Stein vs. Steven Adams -- Willie Cauley-Stein is coming into his own in year-three. He's posting career-highs across the board, including points, rebounds, assists and steals. He'll draw one of the NBA's tough guys in Adams. With stars like Westbrook, George and Carmelo Anthony getting all the glory, Adams does the dirty work. He's a beast in the post and a big time challenge for Cauley-Stein.
Sports
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 18-39, fourth place in Pacific
Thunder: 33-26, second place in Northwest
INJURY REPORT
Kings: PG De'Aaron Fox (conjuntivitis) questionable, PG Frank Mason III (heel) probable, PF Skal Labissiere (shoulder) probable, SG/SF Iman Shumpert (plantar fasciitis) out, PF Harry Giles (bilateral knee rehab) out for the season.
Thunder: SG Andre Roberson (knee) out for the season.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
Fresh Bodies -- After missing major time due to injury, both Frank Mason III and Skal Labissiere are listed as probable coming into Thursday evening. Dave Joerger was quick to point out that Mason hasn't played in a while, but both are expected to return and play big roles in the final 25 games of the season.
Youth Movement -- Joerger was forced to put his plan to sit the vets on hold after a series of injuries. He now has a stable of young 20-somethings hoping for an opportunity down the stretch. Minutes will be earned, but it's time to see what they have for next season.
Show Some Fight -- With 16 home games and just nine road games left, the Kings have a chance to give their fans a preview of the future. They need to give max effort and find a way to improve on their 8-17 record this season at Golden 1 Center.
SERIES HISTORY
The Kings shocked OKC in early November, but the Thunder evened the series with a 95-88 win on Jan. 15. Oklahoma City hold a 143-86 all-time lead over the Kings and an 86-50 advantage in the Sacramento-era.
