Clippers Vs Kings

The Sacramento Kings will have one final opportunity to secure a preseason victory when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday at the newly opened Intuit Dome, a state-of-the-art, $2 billion arena located in Inglewood, California. As the Clippers unveil their new home, the Kings (0-4) will be looking to snap their winless streak in the preseason. After a series of losses, including a heartbreaking 117-114 defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz on Tuesday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Sacramento is eager to turn things around before their regular-season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 24 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Meanwhile, the Clippers (3-1) have had a more successful preseason campaign, despite facing their own challenges. Although they began their preseason with a narrow one-point loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Clippers rebounded with three consecutive wins over the Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Dallas Mavericks. However, the Clippers have had to navigate the preseason without their superstar Kawhi Leonard, and they’ve also seen the departure of another franchise cornerstone, Paul George, who signed a lucrative four-year, $211.6 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers during the offseason. Leonard’s absence, combined with George’s departure, has left the Clippers relying on their depth and other key players to step up, particularly in these preseason games.

As both teams prepare for their final tune-up before the start of the regular season, there are several key aspects of Thursday’s game to watch closely. Sacramento’s struggles on both ends of the court and the Clippers’ ability to maintain momentum without their star players will be critical in determining the outcome of this matchup.

Shooting and Defensive Woes for Sacramento

One of the biggest challenges for the Kings throughout the preseason has been their inconsistent shooting, particularly from beyond the arc. Sacramento has shot just 69 of 160 from 3-point range in their four preseason games, which equates to a disappointing 25.2% accuracy rate. This places them at the very bottom of the rankings for 3-point shooting percentage among the 32 teams that have participated in the preseason, including international squads like the New Zealand Breakers and Ratiopharm Ulm. The Kings’ lackluster shooting performance is a major concern as they prepare for the regular season, where floor spacing and perimeter shooting are crucial components of any successful offensive system.

On the defensive end, the Kings have fared no better. In fact, their defensive struggles have been equally, if not more, concerning than their shooting issues. Sacramento currently ranks 28th in opponent field-goal percentage, allowing opponents to shoot a robust 49.3% from the field. Even more troubling is their defense against the 3-point shot, where they rank dead last (32nd) among preseason teams, with opponents converting 43.1% of their 3-point attempts. If the Kings are going to compete at a high level in the Western Conference this season, they must address their defensive inefficiencies, particularly on the perimeter, where modern NBA offenses tend to thrive.

Recognizing the need for both defensive improvements and an offensive boost, the Kings made a key roster move on Wednesday by signing veteran small forward Doug McDermott in free agency. McDermott brings much-needed depth to Sacramento’s wing position, and his reputation as a sharpshooter could help address their shooting woes. Over the course of his 10 NBA seasons, McDermott has shot an impressive 41% from 3-point range, making him one of the most reliable perimeter shooters in the league. While the Kings officially announced the signing of McDermott on Wednesday evening, it remains unclear if he will be available to suit up for Thursday’s game against the Clippers. Regardless, McDermott’s addition signals the Kings’ intent to bolster their shooting and wing depth ahead of the regular season.

Injury Updates for the Kings

Injuries have also played a role in Sacramento’s challenging preseason. One of the bright spots in recent games has been the return of guard Jordan McLaughlin, who had previously been sidelined with a sprained ankle. McLaughlin has appeared in two preseason games since his return, providing a solid contribution in limited minutes. He has averaged 9.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 steals while shooting a highly efficient 53.3% from the field. His 3-point shooting, however, remains a work in progress, as he has connected on just 31.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc. McLaughlin’s versatility and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game make him a valuable piece for the Kings moving forward, but he will need to continue improving his perimeter shooting to maximize his impact.

Another key player for the Kings, Kevin Huerter, has recently been cleared for full-contact activity following a seven-month recovery from shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. Huerter’s recovery has been a long and arduous process, but he is gradually progressing through the team’s return-to-play protocol. When fully healthy, Huerter could be a contender for the starting shooting guard position, where he will likely compete with Keon Ellis for playing time. Known for his 3-point shooting and ability to stretch the floor, Huerter could provide a significant offensive boost for the Kings once he returns to the lineup. His ability to shoot from deep and defend multiple positions will be critical for Sacramento as they look to improve their overall performance on both ends of the court.

However, the Kings are still dealing with several other injuries as they approach the regular season. Forward Trey Lyles is currently sidelined with a groin injury, while big man Orlando Robinson is nursing a knee issue. Additionally, guard Devin Carter is recovering from a shoulder injury. The absence of these players has hampered Sacramento’s ability to establish rhythm and continuity during the preseason, but the hope is that they will be back in action soon, allowing the Kings to field their full roster as the regular season gets underway.

Scouting the Clippers

While the Kings have faced their fair share of struggles during the preseason, the Clippers have been navigating their own challenges, particularly in terms of player availability. Kawhi Leonard, who has been dealing with inflammation in his right knee, has already been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Kings, and his status for the regular-season opener against the Phoenix Suns on October 23 remains uncertain. Leonard’s health has been a concern for the Clippers in recent years, as he has dealt with a number of injuries that have limited his playing time. As one of the most dynamic two-way players in the league when healthy, Leonard’s availability will be a key factor in determining the Clippers’ success this season.

In the absence of Leonard and the departure of Paul George, the Clippers have had to rely on other players to step up during the preseason, and several have answered the call. James Harden, who joined the Clippers via trade last season, has been one of the team’s most consistent contributors during the preseason. Harden is averaging 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, showcasing his ability to facilitate the offense and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. While Harden’s scoring numbers are somewhat modest compared to his career averages, his playmaking and leadership have been invaluable for the Clippers as they navigate this transitional period.

Other Clippers players have also stepped up offensively, with Norman Powell (11.3 points per game), Bones Hyland (10.5 points per game), and Kevin Porter Jr. (10.0 points per game) all scoring in double figures during the preseason. The Clippers’ ability to spread the scoring load among multiple players has been a key factor in their preseason success, and it will likely remain a focal point of their offensive strategy as they enter the regular season without George and possibly Leonard.

Despite their success, the Clippers have shown some areas for improvement, particularly on the offensive end. While they rank a respectable sixth in field-goal percentage at 46.0% during the preseason, they have struggled to put up points consistently. The Clippers are currently 25th in scoring, averaging just 104.0 points per game, and their 3-point shooting has been subpar, ranking 27th in the league with a 28.5% success rate from beyond the arc. If the Clippers are going to be competitive in the highly competitive Western Conference this season, they will need to find ways to improve their scoring efficiency and 3-point shooting as the season progresses.

What to Expect in Thursday’s Game

As the Kings and Clippers face off in their final preseason game, both teams will be looking to iron out the kinks and establish momentum heading into the regular season. For Sacramento, the focus will be on improving their shooting and defense, while the Clippers will be aiming to build on their recent success despite the absence of Leonard. Fans can expect a competitive game as both teams look to close out the preseason on a high note.