Kings at Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers return to the court for the first time since Sunday when they host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. The Clippers had their Tuesday game against the Los Angeles Lakers postponed after the tragic death of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and eight others in a helicopter crash Sunday.
The Clippers are ready to return to the court and coach Doc Rivers said he was glad Tuesday's game was postponed due to the city-wide grieving in Los Angeles. "I thought it would've been a horrendous game," Rivers told reporters after Wednesday's practice. "I wasn't ready for it, the players weren't ready for it. I can't imagine the Lakers as an organization, forget their players, just the organization, there's no way they would've been ready for it. ... If we played it, it would've been a game played, but I just thought it would've been a meaningless game in too many ways." The Kings are aiming to halt a 10-game losing streak against the Clippers, including a 105-87 home loss Dec. 31. Sacramento has dropped seven of its last nine games and Wednesday's 120-100 setback against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder was its fourth loss by 20 or more during the stretch.
TIME: 10 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS California, Prime Ticket, TSN3
ABOUT THE KINGS (17-30): Guards Bogdan Bogdanovic (23 points) and De'Aaron Fox (19) had productive nights against the Thunder but the other three starters - center Dewayne Dedmon and forwards Harrison Barnes and Nemanja Bjelica - combined for 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Buddy Hield, who was recently demoted to a reserve role, had 13 points after making nine 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 42 points two nights earlier against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Power forward Marvin Bagley III (foot) will miss his fifth consecutive game, coach Luke Walton said in his postgame media session.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (33-14): Star forward Kawhi Leonard has produced three straight double-doubles after having 31 points, a season-best 14 rebounds and seven assists in Sunday's 112-97 victory over the host Orlando Magic. Leonard has a streak of eight straight 30-point efforts - three shy of the franchise mark held by Lloyd Free (1979-80 season) during the club's San Diego era - and is averaging 35 points during the stretch. Guard Lou Williams is struggling with his shot and is 30-of-92 over the past six games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Leonard scored 24 points in the Clippers' win over the Kings on New Year's Eve.
2. Walton said that Sacramento PF Richaun Holmes (shoulder) is making progress but won't play Thursday, thus marking his 11th straight absence from the lineup.
3. Clippers F Paul George (hamstring) is probable after sitting out the last nine games, while PG Patrick Beverley (groin) also could return after sitting out three straight contests.