By James Ham and Rui Thomas
Here is the latest news live from Sleep Train Arena:
- The Sacramento Kings (11-11) return home after a disappointing 98-95 loss to the Lakers at the Staples Center on Tuesday evening. Once again, DeMarcus Cousins is out with viral meningitis. This is the eighth game in a row that the starting center has missed, and the Kings are just 2-5 in his absence. “We’re going to take a very cautious approach with him and not rush him back at all,” coach Michael Malone said. “The doctors want us to be that cautious, because if you rush him back, it could kind of trigger some things and maybe make things flare up again. So he’s been in the gym the last couple of days, but we’re very very limited in what we’re doing right now and we’ll continue to monitor his progress and get him back as soon as possible.”
- “No time table, we’re still kind of taking it day-to-day with him,” Malone added regarding Cousins.
- Second-year shooting guard Ben McLemore has his hands full for the second straight game. On Tuesday in LA, it was Kobe Bryant. Tonight against the Rockets, he draws James Harden. “When you play a Kobe Bryant, a James Harden, you have to defend with your feet, your chest and show your hands,” Malone said. “If you get caught putting your hands on (Harden), they’re going to call the foul. He’s earned that. That’s a reality in the NBA.”
- Sacramento isn’t the only team with a star ailing. Dwight Howard (right knee strain) is practicing with the Rockets, but not ready to return to the floor. Terrence Jones (left leg), Isaiah Canaan (left ankle sprain), Francisco Garcia (right calf/achilles) and Kostas Papanikolaou (right knee strain) are all listed as out for Houston tonight as well. The Rockets come in with just 10 bodies healthy enough to play. Harden is probable with back spasms.
- The Kings will be without the services of forward Omri Casspi tonight. Casspi is sidelined with a left knee contusion.
- Tonight’s game is nationally televised on TNT. It is the second game of the Kings “Legends” series and former fan favorites Harold Presley, Jim Les and LaSalle Thompson will be in attendance.
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