The Sacramento Kings return home Thursday night, hoping to stop the slide as they host the Houston Rockets at Golden 1 Center, with tip-off set for 9:00 PM EST.
The Kings come in buried at the bottom of the Western Conference at 8–30. The Kings have lost seven straight and eight of their last ten, with confidence taking another hit in a 137–103 blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors.
The Rockets’ situation is very different. Sitting sixth in the West at 22–13, the Rockets have built a strong body of work despite a recent stumble. They have dropped two straight and five of their last ten, including a 111–105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, but nothing about their season suggests panic.
For the Kings, the offense still runs through Zach LaVine, who leads the team at 20.0 points per game. DeMar DeRozan follows closely at 18.5 points, while also handling late-clock creation.
The Rockets counter with Kevin Durant, who has been outstanding at 26.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per night. The Rockets could be without Alperen Sengun, averaging 21.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, but their depth helps soften the blow.
These teams have already split two meetings this season. Houston handled Sacramento comfortably, beating them 121-95 on December 3rd, while the Kings responded with a narrow 125-124 win on December 21st.
Injury Report
Kings
Keegan Murray: Out (Left ankle sprain)
Daeqwon Plowden: Out (G-League)
Domantas Sabonis: Out (Partial meniscus tear)
Dennis Schroder: Out (League suspension)
Isiah Stevens: Out (G-League)
Rockets
Tari Eason: Out (Right ankle sprain)
Tristem Newton: Out (G-League)
Fred VanVleet: Out (Right knee ACL)
Alperen Sengun: Questionable (Right ankle sprain)
How The Kings Have The Advantage?
Statistically, it is tough to find breathing room for Sacramento. The Kings rank 30th in net rating, 30th in offensive rating, and 28th defensively. Even at home, they are just 5–13.
If there is a path to staying competitive, it involves making mistakes and running. Houston is one of the league’s worst teams at taking care of the ball, so those opportunities will be plenty.
How The Rockets Have The Advantage?
The Rockets’ advantages are clear. They sit fourth in offensive rating, fifth defensively, and second in net rating. They shoot efficiently from everywhere and remain the league’s best rebounding team, even without Sengun, which is a dangerous formula against a Kings group that already struggles on the glass.
X-Factors
As for the X factors, Russell Westbrook remains the most volatile swing piece on the floor. Averaging 14.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, Westbrook’s box score impact only tells part of the story. His real value for Sacramento lies in tempo. When he is attacking downhill, pressuring the rim, and pushing the ball after rebounds, the Kings look like a different team.
That kind of pace can force Houston into rushed decisions and sloppy turnovers, which is one of the few ways Sacramento can tilt the math in its favor.
Off the bench, Malik Monk is Sacramento’s instant spark. Averaging 11.3 points per game, Monk thrives in chaotic stretches where the offense bogs down. He is capable of flipping momentum with quick pull-up threes, aggressive drives, and fearless shot selection.
For the Rockets, Amen Thompson is the ultimate disruptor. His 18.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists reflect how many different ways he impacts the game. Thompson’s length and athleticism allow him to guard multiple positions, ignite fast breaks, and attack mismatches in transition. Against a Kings team that struggles defensively, his ability to rebound and immediately push the pace could turn this into a track meet that favors Houston.
Jabari Smith Jr. continues to be one of Houston’s most reliable stabilizers. Averaging 15.2 points and 6.9 rebounds, Smith’s growth as a two-way forward has been crucial. He spaces the floor, defends with discipline, and punishes smaller defenders on the glass.
Then there is Reed Sheppard, who provides the kind of scoring punch that can break games open. Averaging 13.3 points per game, Sheppard’s shooting gravity forces defenses to stay attached well beyond the arc. Even a short scoring burst from him can stretch a lead from manageable to overwhelming.
Prediction
Ultimately, this game sets up as a talent and structure mismatch. The Rockets hold the edge in nearly every measurable category, and unless the Kings play a near-perfect game fueled by turnovers and emotion, this one could get away quickly.
Prediction: Kings 101, Rockets 123
