The Kings are optimistic that DeMar DeRozan will be back on the field for Sunday's game against San Antonio, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. After missing the last two games due to lower back muscle inflammation, DeRozan was a full participant in today's practice and is expected to be listed as probable on the team's injury report.
Anderson points out that DeRozan's battle with injuries early in the season was one of the reasons for the team's slow start. He missed three games earlier this month with lower back tightness, then returned for three games before the back problems flared up again on Monday. DeRozan was a key cog in the offense when healthy, averaging 22.6 points per game in his first season in Sacramento.
The prospects are less promising Kevin Huerterwho couldn't train today, adds Anderson. The veteran guard had to miss Friday's loss to Portland with an ankle injury and is considered doubtful for Sunday's contest.
There's more from the Pacific Division:
- In an interview with KTXL's Sean Cunningham (Twitter video link), Jae Crowder talks about the chance to continue his NBA career with the Kings. Crowder admits he was disappointed he wasn't invited to training camp afterward Audition for the team in September, but he's grateful the opportunity finally came along. “I thought I had a good week here” he said of preseason training. “I had great contact with the boys, especially the younger boys bonded with me. … When I came into the gym I felt like I did my job in a veteran sense and I just tried to play the right way and give myself a chance to be on this team.”
- Lakers guard Austin Reaves suffered a bruised left pelvis but no structural damage in a bad fall in Friday's game against Oklahoma City, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times (Bluesky link). Reaves was injured when he landed on his back after a punch Isaiah Hartenstein And Shai Gilgeous Alexander on a trip to the basket. Reaves stayed in the game to shoot his free throws, but went to the locker room shortly afterward. Woike added that he traveled with the team on its four-game road trip and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Utah.
- Before today's meeting with the Suns, warriors trainer Steve Kerr singled out Devin Booker for adapting his game to the other elite players on the US Olympic team (Twitter video link from PHNX Sports). “It's not easy for a guy to adapt to his normal role as a contact and scorer and then be asked to be a defender or a liaison and then be successful in that role.” Kerr said: “And then become a star when we needed him to become a star.”
