The Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors meet Friday night at Chase Center with both teams juggling key injuries. Tip-off is set for 10:00 PM ET, and the stakes are clear: a short-handed Kings group is trying to stop a six-game slide, while the Warriors look to build on momentum from a strong win over the Bucks.

On paper, Golden State enters with the health edge and home-court comfort. Sacramento arrives without two starters again, a harsh theme of its season. That contrast shapes the game’s tone and the likely paths to victory on both sides.

Kings vs Warriors injury report: who’s in, who’s out

Sacramento will be without forward Keegan Murray and center Domantas Sabonis. Murray has a left ankle sprain and is out, with multiple reports projecting at least a three-week absence as he heals. An MRI labeled it a moderate sprain, and he will be re-evaluated in 3–4 weeks. This is his second straight missed game.

Sabonis remains sidelined by a partial meniscus tear in his left knee. His absence has hit the Kings on the glass and in the paint. Sacramento also lists Daeqwon Plowden as out on a G League two-way assignment.

• Out: Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain)
• Out: Domantas Sabonis (left knee partial meniscus tear)
• Out: Daeqwon Plowden (G League – two-way)

Golden State will not have Seth Curry, who is out with left sciatic nerve irritation. Defensive stopper Gary Payton II is listed as probable with a left ankle sprain and is expected to play after missing the Warriors’ last game. Guard L.J. Cryer is also out on a two-way G League assignment.

• Out: Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation)
• Probable: Gary Payton II (left ankle sprain)
• Out: L.J. Cryer (G League – two-way)

“If Payton II suits up, the Warriors’ perimeter defense hits another level.”

Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors: records, form, and context

The Kings enter at 8–29 and are stuck in a six-game losing streak. The injuries have kept the lineup from reaching full strength, especially up front. Without Sabonis and Murray, Sacramento has leaned heavily on its guards and wings to stay competitive.

The Warriors are 20–18 and coming off a 120–113 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. They have weathered their own absences this season, but compared to Sacramento, Golden State arrives relatively healthy and settled.

Chase Center gives the Warriors a familiar rhythm. Against a Kings team missing size and frontcourt shot creation, Golden State’s balanced core should feel in control—if it brings focus and discipline.

How injuries reshape styles: Sacramento’s guard-heavy plan

With Sabonis out, Sacramento loses its best rebounder and interior hub. With Murray out, it also loses a switchable defender and a reliable frontcourt scorer. The ripple effect is clear: more on-ball duty and shot creation for the perimeter trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Russell Westbrook.

LaVine leads the Kings at 20.2 points per game. DeRozan adds 18.4, offering mid-range craft and late-clock poise. Westbrook brings 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game, pushing pace and finding shooters. That trio can threaten in spurts, but without a strong inside presence, the margins shrink—especially on the boards and at the rim.

“Can the Kings win the glass without Sabonis? That’s the whole game right there.”

Warriors injuries and what they mean: Seth out, GPII likely in

Seth Curry’s absence trims some bench shooting and secondary ball-handling. But the Warriors’ core rotation is otherwise in good shape, and Payton’s likely return adds a valuable on-ball defender who can hound primary scorers and ignite fast breaks.

With Golden State’s main stars available and role players locked in, the Warriors have flexibility. They can play faster lineups, toggle defensive matchups, and throw extra attention at LaVine and DeRozan without giving up easy looks elsewhere.

“If GPII shadows LaVine, the Kings must win the secondary matchups to stay close.”

Keys to the game: rebounding, paint touches, and turnovers

For Sacramento, it starts and ends with the glass. Without Sabonis and Murray, the Kings need team rebounding—guards cracking down, wings boxing out—to limit Golden State’s second chances. They also need to manufacture paint touches through drives and cuts, because settling for jumpers all night feeds Warriors runs.

• Rebounding committee: Everyone on the Kings must help close possessions.
• Paint pressure: Westbrook’s drives and DeRozan’s mid-post work can open the arc.
• LaVine’s efficiency: If he scores efficiently, Sacramento’s half-court looks better.

For the Warriors, Payton’s defense (if active) can tilt the perimeter battle. Golden State should test Sacramento’s size with cuts, slips, and post seals, then punish collapse with kick-outs. Protecting the ball is also crucial; live-ball turnovers would be the easiest way to let the Kings hang around.

• Win the paint: Touches inside bend Sacramento’s defense.
• Turnover control: Don’t fuel Kings’ transition with mistakes.
• Bench lift: Role players can separate the game against a thin opponent.

Players to watch and X-factors

Jonathan Kuminga’s activity can be a swing piece for Golden State. His cutting and energy can punish a short Kings front line. If Payton II plays, his minutes on LaVine or DeRozan could define Sacramento’s late-game shot quality.

For the Kings, Westbrook’s tempo and decision-making are central. If he pressures the rim, finds shooters, and avoids careless turnovers, Sacramento’s offense breathes. DeRozan’s foul drawing and mid-range rhythm can also stabilize tough stretches.

Outlook: health and habits favor Golden State

Both teams know the stakes. The Kings, at 8–29, need a jolt to stop their skid and reset the room. The Warriors want to stack wins and avoid giving life to a wounded opponent. Given the injuries and form, Golden State holds the advantage—especially if Payton II returns and the defense travels from the Bucks win.

But in the NBA, pace and shooting can swing a game fast. If LaVine heats up, if DeRozan controls crunch time, and if Westbrook pushes the paint, the Kings can make this a battle. For Sacramento, that’s the blueprint—fight on the glass, run on misses, and make enough threes to keep the Chase Center crowd quiet.

Friday night will reveal whether the Kings’ guards can overcome a frontcourt void—or whether the Warriors’ depth and defense turn a matchup of uneven health into a routine home win.