The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Sacramento Kings meet on Friday night with both teams navigating key absences that could shape the game. Tip is at 7:30 PM ET. Cleveland has ruled out Darius Garland for the fourth straight game with a right great toe sprain, while Sacramento will again be without Keegan Murray, who misses his ninth game in a row due to a left ankle sprain. For two squads moving in different directions in the standings, how each side adapts will be the story.

Kings vs Cavaliers preview: injuries headline a pivotal matchup

The Cavaliers sit at 25-20 and project as the steadier group, anchored by All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and the interior pairing of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. The Kings, at 12-33, have struggled for traction and own the league’s worst road record. Even so, they recently produced a four-game win streak, a reminder that they can still punch above their weight when the defense holds and the stars hit.

Both teams, however, are short-handed in ways that change their ceiling. Garland’s absence shifts the Cavs’ playmaking load almost fully onto Mitchell’s shoulders. Murray’s ankle sprain strips Sacramento of a two-way wing who spaces the floor and guards top opponents.

“No Garland again — Mitchell has to be the engine, the brakes, and the gas.”

Cleveland Cavaliers injury report and context

• Darius Garland — OUT (right great toe sprain; fourth straight game)
• Sam Merrill — OUT (right hand sprain)
• Max Strus — OUT (left foot surgery, Jones fracture; has not played this season)
• Chris Livingston — OUT (G League assignment)
• Luke Travers — OUT (G League assignment)

Garland’s playmaking (17.1 PTS, 6.2 AST) is the Cavs’ balance bar. Without him, Mitchell’s on-ball time rises, and touches funnel more through Mobley and Allen on short rolls and put-backs. Strus’ continued absence also matters; his movement shooting and spacing have been missed since his preseason surgery. With Merrill sidelined, Cleveland loses another floor spacer, making shot creation from Mitchell even more central.

Even so, Cleveland’s core remains strong. Mitchell is averaging 24.1 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.2 made threes per game. Mobley adds 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks, while Allen chips in 11.5 points and 7.4 rebounds. The formula: guard dominance from Mitchell, paint control from the bigs, and enough wing defense to bother drivers.

Sacramento Kings injury report and context

• Keegan Murray — OUT (left ankle sprain; ninth straight game)
• Daeqwon Plowden — OUT (G League assignment)
• Isaiah Stevens — OUT (G League assignment)
• Domantas Sabonis — Day-to-Day (knee; recently returned from a two-month absence and has played only 14 games this season)

Murray’s absence tightens Sacramento’s wing rotation and reduces their defensive length. The Kings will lean on veterans DeMar DeRozan (20.3 PTS, 4.7 AST) and Russell Westbrook (17.6 PTS, 6.5 AST, 5.3 REB) to create offense in the half court, with seven-footer Maxime Raynaud (11.3 PTS, 8.2 REB) providing size on the glass.

The wild card is Domantas Sabonis. Listed day-to-day with a knee issue, he has only appeared in 14 games this season after missing two months. When he plays, Sacramento’s offense changes; his dribble handoffs and passing from the elbow give them flow and easy cuts. His status, minutes, and comfort level remain vital watch points.

“If Sabonis is right, the Kings’ offense looks totally different — cleaner, smarter, and tougher to switch.”

Key players and season averages to know

Here are the season lines for the main names in focus:

• Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell — 24.1 PTS, 5.4 AST, 4.3 REB, 3.2 3PM
• Cavaliers: Darius Garland — 17.1 PTS, 6.2 AST, 1.8 REB, 2.1 3PM
• Cavaliers: Evan Mobley — 11.8 PTS, 6.0 REB, 3.1 AST, 1.7 BLK
• Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen — 11.5 PTS, 7.4 REB, 2.0 AST
• Kings: DeMar DeRozan — 20.3 PTS, 4.7 AST, 3.5 REB
• Kings: Russell Westbrook — 17.6 PTS, 6.5 AST, 5.3 REB
• Kings: Maxime Raynaud — 11.3 PTS, 8.2 REB, 1.3 AST

These numbers show the difference in how each team scores. Cleveland’s top line leans on perimeter shot-making and rim finishing. Sacramento’s is built around savvy mid-range work from DeRozan, power drives from Westbrook, and big-man activity from Raynaud — with Sabonis, when available, as the hub.

What it means on the floor tonight

For Cleveland: Expect Mitchell to control pace and touches. Without Garland, he will initiate, hunt mismatches, and draw help to open corner threes. Mobley’s short-roll decisions are key, and Allen’s screens and rim pressure set the tone. With Strus out, secondary shooters must be ready on kick-outs.

For Sacramento: Shot creation will mostly come from DeRozan and Westbrook. DeRozan’s mid-range scoring can slow the game and keep them close. Westbrook’s tempo can pressure Cleveland in transition, but turnovers are risky against a Cavs group that turns defense into points. If Sabonis plays and is effective, expect more handoffs and inside-out action that can pull Cleveland’s bigs away from the rim.

“Road form matters — can Sacramento handle Cleveland’s size and stay clean with the ball?”

Records, rhythm, and the bigger picture

The Cavaliers’ 25-20 mark reflects a team learning to win different ways despite injuries. They’ve leaned on defense, rim protection, and big nights from Mitchell. The Kings, at 12-33, have been hit by absences all year, with Sabonis’ long layoff and Murray’s ankle issues slowing any chance for rhythm. Still, that recent four-game win streak shows they can tighten up and grind when needed.

The road factor is real. Sacramento’s struggles away from home mean small mistakes can snowball. Cleveland’s physical style can make it hard to get clean looks, especially if the Cavs’ wings contain dribble penetration and the bigs own the glass.

Bottom line

This is a game about handling what you don’t have. Cleveland is without its main table-setter in Garland, while Sacramento misses a vital two-way starter in Murray and is hoping for more from a day-to-day Sabonis. If Mitchell plays to his averages and Cleveland’s bigs control the paint, the Cavs hold the edge at home. If Sacramento’s veterans keep turnovers down and manufacture late-clock scores, they have a path — especially if Sabonis is sharp.

Either way, expect a physical, possession-by-possession game with star guards in the spotlight and the rebounding battle likely telling the story by the final buzzer.