Kings Vs Mavericks: Kings Announce Russell Westbrook News Before Mavericks Game (kings vs mavericks)
The Sacramento Kings ruled Russell Westbrook out for Thursday’s matchup in Dallas, the latest development in an injury-plagued stretch that has left the team thin as it prepares for the kings vs mavericks game. The absence compounds a broader list of injuries that leaves DeMar DeRozan as the only regular starter available.
Kings list Westbrook out with right thigh contusion
The Kings’ injury report lists Russell Westbrook as OUT with a right thigh contusion. It is the first time Westbrook has appeared on the injury report with that issue, and it is unclear in the provided context when the contusion occurred; his status will continue to be monitored in the coming days.
Westbrook, 37, had one of his more efficient outings in Sacramento’s 128-97 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, scoring 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting while adding five rebounds and three assists and committing just two turnovers in 25 minutes. The injury report also lists Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain) as OUT tonight in Dallas and Malik Monk (right ankle soreness) as questionable.
Four of five regular starters ruled out; Sabonis, LaVine and De'Andre Hunter already done for season
The Kings will be without four of their five regular starters for the trip to Dallas. The franchise noted it has not seen its "regular starting lineup" play a single minute together this season; if fully healthy that group would be Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis. Sacramento previously ruled Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and De'Andre Hunter out for the rest of the season.
DeRozan lone starter available; five of top six scorers on report
Veteran wing DeMar DeRozan is the only starter listed as available for the Kings; the 36-year-old has played in each of Sacramento’s 60 games so far this season. With five of the team’s top six scorers on Thursday’s injury report, the Kings will lean on depth and younger players for scoring and minutes.
Likely scratch-built lineup: Clifford, Achiuwa, Raynaud and reserve options
With the absences, Sacramento is likely to open with Nique Clifford, DeMar DeRozan, Precious Achiuwa and Maxime Raynaud, with the final starting spot to be filled by Devin Carter, Killian Hayes or Daeqwon Plowden. The crowded injury list also includes Dylan Cardwell among the newly added injuries, creating expanded opportunities for the younger rotation players.
Mavericks context: Cooper Flagg out, Dallas riding recent wins at the American Airlines Center
Dallas returns home to the American Airlines Center while still missing Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks sit at 21-36 and have won consecutive games against the Indiana Pacers (134-130) and the Brooklyn Nets (123-114); a victory over Sacramento would make it three straight. The teams meet Thursday night at 8: 30 p. m. ET in Dallas.
Season perspective: Kings' record, Westbrook's résumé and the closing window
Elements of Sacramento’s season point toward a broader reset: one context snapshot listed the Kings at 13-46 and noted they were likely to be 13-47 after the Rockets matchup; another context entry explicitly lists the team at 13-47 and says the franchise sits at the bottom of the Western Conference. The Kings are on the second night of a back-to-back and stayed in Texas between games.
Westbrook has nonetheless been productive in his first year with the organization, outplaying a $3. 6 million veteran-minimum salary. Across 56 games he is averaging 15. 3 points, 5. 5 rebounds and 6. 3 assists while shooting 43. 1% from the field and 33. 8% from beyond the arc. Over an 18-season career he is the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, a nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, nine-time All-NBA selection and a former league MVP; he has suited up for seven organizations and has not captured an NBA title. He has indicated he intends to play again next season, though the remainder of this season is largely a lost one for a team that appears headed toward a full rebuild.
