After running out the same lineup for 23 of the team's 24 games this season, the Kings will have to play without both De'Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley Friday night at Golden 1 Center.
Fox banged knees in practice on Thursday and did not appear on the team's injury report until 5:30 P.M. PST. The speedy point guard has played in all 24 games this season for the Kings and his absence creates a major hole in the backcourt for head coach Luke Walton.
"He banged his knee in practice a little bit, so we're just keeping a close eye on that, seeing how he's doing," Walton said during pregame, before he knew that Fox would miss the night. "We'll know more as we get closer to game time."
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Fox is playing the best basketball of his career over the last few weeks. Over his last 11 games, the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week is averaging 28.9 points and 8.4 assists.
With Fox out, rookie Tyrese Haliburton will get his second career start. Cory Joseph will likely have an expanded role as well.
Like Fox, Bagley has started all 24 games for the Kings this season, which is a career-long streak for the 21-year-old power forward. He has left calf soreness, although it doesn't sound like it is an injury that will keep him out for long.
"I don't see it being a long term thing," Walton said. "Just a sore calf and we're just keeping an eye on it."
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Bagley is averaging 12.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in 25.1 minutes per game, but the Kings are likely to take a cautious approach with him after he played just 13 games last season with a series of injuries.
With Bagley out of action, Walton is shifting Harrison Barnes to the power forward position and starting Glenn Robinson III at the three.
There is a possibility that Walton has to turn to either Nemanja Bjelica or Jabari Parker for minutes down low. Bjelica hasn't played in 14 games and Parker has yet to make his debut this season.