Sunday's Brooklyn Nets-Sacrmato Kings matchup will have a significant impact on the NBA's draft lottery race. The Kings will be without Russell Westbrook, one of their top contributors, during the game. Westbrook was forced out of the game due to right leg pain.
The Kings are already without Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, De'Andre Hunter and Drew Eubanks.
Westbrook played 28 minutes during the Kings' 139-118 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. He posted 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting, three rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and one steal. The veteran guard has appeared in 64 games with 58 starts this season, averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists on .427/.338/.694 shooting splits.
Russell Westbrook out of Kings-Nets matchup due to foot illness
Sacramento entered Sunday's game one spot behind Brooklyn in the draft lottery standings. The Kings have lost their last two games 4-1, slipping from first place to fourth. They have one more win than the Nets in third.
The Nets have lost six games after consecutive wins over the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies earlier this month. They recently ruled out Igor Demin and Deron Sharp for the season, while Michael Porter Jr. is out for 2-3 weeks with a hamstring strain. Brooklyn also will be without Noah Clowney (right wrist sprain) and Nic Claxton (rest) on Sunday. Terrence Mann (illness) is probable for the matchup.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Kings enter Sunday's game as 5.5-point favorites. They have another meeting with the Nets in Brooklyn a week from Sunday.
