Kings’ DeMar DeRozan could miss Friday’s game against the Timberwolves

The Sacramento Kings could be without one of their top players, veteran winger DeMar DeRozan, for Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Timberwolves in Northern California.

DeRozan left Wednesday night’s win over the Suns with what the team described as lower back tightness. He scored just 2 points in 17 minutes in the first half. DeRozan will reportedly be considered questionable for Friday’s game after not practicing Thursday, but it’s possible he could still play against Minnesota depending on how he feels.

“Out of an abundance of caution, (DeRozan) will be listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against Minnesota,” Kings reporter James Ham reported posted on Thursday. “There is a chance he will get an upgrade tonight or tomorrow, but that will depend on how he responds to treatment for his back pain.”

DeRozan is the Kings’ second-leading scorer this season, averaging 22.9 points on efficient shooting during their 7-5 start. Only De’Aaron Fox (24.6) has averaged more points. But prior to Wednesday’s game, in which DeRozan scored 2 points and Fox scored 29, DeRozan was actually the team leader with 24.8 PPG.

The 35-year-old DeRozan, a six-time All Star, had 26 points in the Wolves’ narrow victory over the Kings earlier this season. He averaged a remarkable 33.4 points per game in his last eight appearances against Minnesota, including a 49-point game in March 2023 while with the Bulls.

The Kings are already without the reigning Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Malik Monk, who had 39 points in an overtime win over the Wolves last March, so they would be down two top scorers if DeRozan doesn’t play. Monk will be out for a while with an ankle injury.

Without DeRozan in the second half of Wednesday’s game, the Kings’ rotation consisted of Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles, Keon Ellis, Doug McDermott and former Timberwolves guard Jordan McLaughlin (who played a season-high 15 minutes saw). ).

The Wolves are 6-6 this season and started 0-1 in NBA Cup group play on Tuesday night with a 14-point loss to the Blazers. They’ve lost three in a row. This is Sacramento’s first game in this year’s NBA Cup.

Related: The Timberwolves’ struggles warrant genuine concern, but it’s still very early