DeMar DeRozan sidelined by injury as Kings struggle
- DeMar DeRozan has been ruled out for the Kings' upcoming game against the Timberwolves due to lower back muscle inflammation suffered during a recent game.
- Trey Lyles is also sidelined for at least three to four weeks with calf soreness, further affecting the team's roster depth.
- With both key players unavailable and a current losing streak, the Kings are looking to strengthen their bench by pursuing Jae Crowder.
On November 27, 2024, in Sacramento, the Kings confirmed that star forward DeMar DeRozan will not participate in their upcoming game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a recent injury. DeRozan's absence is attributed to inflammation in his lower back muscles, which he sustained during a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the week. This will mark the third game that DeRozan has missed this season, contributing to the Kings' current predicaments. In addition to DeRozan's injury, the Kings will also be without forward Trey Lyles for an extended period, following his departure from the Thunder game with calf soreness. Lyles is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks, with a re-evaluation scheduled for mid-December. This absence adds strain to Sacramento’s roster as they battle to improve their performance in a competitive Western Conference, where they currently sit at 12th place with an 8-10 record. Amidst these challenges and a four-game losing streak, Sacramento is reportedly pursuing free-agent forward Jae Crowder to help bolster their bench depth. Crowder's addition could provide the Kings with a much-needed boost as they navigate through their roster injuries and strive for better results on the court. The return of Malik Monk, last year's runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year, from a recent injury adds some optimism for the Kings as they face the Timberwolves. Despite the setbacks of DeRozan and Lyles, Monk's presence will be crucial as the team looks to reverse its unfortunate streak and re-establish a competitive stance in the league.