After they both missed out on a trip to Las Vegas, the Phoenix Suns and visiting Sacramento Kings will meet Friday in what effectively amounts to a consolation game of the NBA in-season tournament.
The Kings dropped a 127-117 decision to the visiting New Orleans Pelicans on Monday during the in-season tournament quarterfinals, while the Suns fell 106-103 to the host Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday in another quarterfinal matchup.
The Suns, who have lost three of their last four games, could be ready to welcome back Bradley Beal, who has played just three games with his new team because of a back injury. The Suns are still waiting to combine stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Beal on the court at the same time.
“I’ve been in his situation and it’s not easy,” said Booker, according to the Arizona Republic, after missing time this season with a hamstring injury. “… I think that’s all he needed was a little bit of time to get right. I heard he’s in the ramping up phase and I’m excited to have him back out there.”
Whether or not Beal is back Friday, the Suns — who begin a five-game homestand — will have to find a way to overcome rebounding issues and defend better close to the basket. In their loss Tuesday, the Suns allowed 54 points in the paint while the Lakers grabbed a season-best 21 offensive rebounds.
“They got (27) more shots up than us,” said Durant, who had 31 points. “We’re going to lose every time.”
The Kings received a triple-double from Domantas Sabonis on Monday in the form of 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists but could not preserve an early 15-point lead. De’Aaron Fox scored 30 points while Malik Monk scored 21 points off the bench.
Sacramento is 3-4 following a six-game winning streak last month.
The Kings’ inconsistency over the past seven games was magnified in a pair of runs early in Monday’s game. They made 12 of 14 shots at the outset then went 2 of 18 in a separate first-half stretch that allowed the Pelicans to get back into the game.
A Sabonis layup pulled Sacramento within 111-105 with 5:53 remaining but a 9-0 burst by New Orleans all but sealed the outcome. Fox missed two shots and committed two fouls as the Pelicans went on their late run.
Like the Suns, the Kings looked overmatched at times during their quarterfinal defeat. It was their third loss to the Pelicans already this season, all in the previous seven contests.
“That’s three games in a row they kind of did the same thing and were the more physical team,” Kings head coach Mike Brown said. “Their length, their athleticism bothered us. Obviously, (Brandon Ingram) had a heck of a game, scoring 30 on 50 percent shooting. He did what he’s supposed to do.”
The Kings and Suns are meeting for the first time this season. The teams split their four meetings last season.
–Field Level Media