Sacramento is a weird place for basketball right now. Honestly, if you looked at the sac kings starting lineup tonight and compared it to what we expected back in October, you’d probably think you were looking at a different team entirely.
The Kings are hosting the Portland Trail Blazers at the Golden 1 Center, and the vibe is... let's call it "survive and advance." Head coach Doug Christie is basically playing a game of Tetris with his rotation. Between a meniscus tear for their franchise center and a lingering ankle issue for their best young wing, the "Beam Team" is looking more like a "MASH unit." But here is the crazy part: they’ve actually won four in a row.
The Expected Starters for Kings vs. Blazers
Barring a last-second change of heart from Christie, the lineup is going to look almost identical to the group that just took down the Wizards.
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Zach LaVine
- SF: DeMar DeRozan
- PF: Precious Achiuwa
- C: Maxime Raynaud
Yeah, you read that right. Russell Westbrook is running the point in Sacramento in 2026. It’s wild. He just dropped 26 points and six threes in the last game. If you told a Kings fan two years ago that Russ would be their savior during a January playoff push, they would have laughed you out of the arena.
Then there's the rookie, Maxime Raynaud. He’s the 7-foot-1 Frenchman who has basically been forced to grow up overnight because Domantas Sabonis is sidelined. He isn't Domas—nobody is—but he’s holding his own.
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The Domantas Sabonis Situation
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Sabonis is dealing with a partial meniscus tear in his left knee. It sucks. He did actually suit up and play 21 minutes off the bench against Washington, which was a huge surprise, but don't expect him to start tonight. The team is being incredibly cautious.
They’re easing him back. Expect him to come off the bench again, likely for limited minutes. It’s a gamble. Do you play your superstar and risk a worse tear, or do you let the rookie Raynaud keep the seat warm? For now, Raynaud gets the nod.
Why the Frontcourt Looks So Different
If the sac kings starting lineup tonight looks small or "scrappy," it’s because it is. Keegan Murray is still out. He’s been dealing with a left ankle sprain since early January, and the latest word is that he might be out until early February. That is a massive hole on the defensive end.
To fill that gap, the Kings are leaning heavily on Precious Achiuwa.
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Achiuwa is a beast on the boards, but he’s not the floor-spacer Murray is. This creates a weird spacing dynamic for DeMar DeRozan. DeMar loves that midrange area, but when you have Russ, Precious, and Raynaud on the floor, the paint gets crowded. Fast.
The Keon Ellis Question
Keon Ellis is officially a game-time decision. He’s got some knee soreness. If he can’t go, expect Malik Monk to see a massive uptick in minutes, though Monk usually prefers coming off the bench to provide that "instant offense" spark.
Honestly, the bench is where the Kings are actually winning these games. Malik Monk and Dennis Schröder (who is back from his three-game suspension) are a nightmare for second units. Most teams don't have two starting-caliber guards coming off the pine.
Keys to the Game Against Portland
Portland isn't a juggernaut, but they aren't pushovers either. They're 21-22 and fighting for their lives in the West.
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- Stop the Portland Backcourt: Without Keon Ellis at 100%, the perimeter defense is shaky. Russ and LaVine have to stay disciplined.
- The Rebound Battle: Without Sabonis starting, Raynaud and Achiuwa have to prevent second-chance points.
- DeRozan's Gravity: DeMar is averaging over 19 points this season. He’s the steady hand. When the game slows down in the fourth quarter, the ball is going to him.
The Kings are currently 12-30. That record is ugly, I know. But they are playing their best basketball of the season right now. They've found a weird chemistry between the veterans like Westbrook and the young guys like Raynaud.
Actionable Insights for Fans Tonight
If you're watching or betting on this one, keep an eye on the first six minutes. If Raynaud gets into foul trouble early, the Kings are in deep trouble because their center depth is nonexistent right now.
- Watch the Sabonis Minutes: Even if he doesn't start, his impact off the bench changes the entire flow of the offense.
- Check the Final Status of Keon Ellis: If he’s out, the Kings lose their best perimeter defender.
- Expect a High Score: The Kings give up 120 points a game on average. This won't be a defensive masterclass.
The game tips off at 6:00 PM local time at Golden 1 Center. Tune in to NBC Sports California to see if this makeshift lineup can actually push the win streak to five. It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but that’s just Kings basketball.
To keep up with the latest roster moves, make sure to monitor the official NBA injury report which usually updates two hours before tip-off. If Sabonis suddenly gets the green light to start, the betting lines will shift instantly. Keep your eyes on the late-breaking news out of the Kings' shootaround.
The rotation might be a mess, but as long as they keep winning, nobody in Sacramento is complaining. This group is tough, veteran-heavy, and somehow making it work against the odds. Let's see if the beam stays lit.