SACRAMENTO KINGS NEWS

Explodes in loss Hield finished Sunday's 118-112 loss to Houston with 27 points (9-16 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, two assists and four steals in 30 minutes.

Impact Hield was active defensively and looked comfortable in his sixth man role. While it isn't clear if he'll remain there while Tyrese Haliburton (COVID-19 protocols) is absent, shareholders should be encouraged by Sunday's performance. After a tough December, Hield has rallied across nine January contests, averaging 16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game on a 42.9/44.3/86.7 slash line.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leads starters with 17 points Davis registered 17 points (6-14 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, five assists and four steals across 37 minutes during Sunday's 118-112 loss to the Rockets.

Impact A forgotten man at times in Sacramento's backcourt, Davis started in place of Tyrese Haliburton (COVID-19 protocols) on Sunday. Notably, Buddy Hield remained in his bench role. Hield boomed for 27 points (9-16 FG) in 30 minutes off the bench, which could propel him into the starting lineup moving forward. Regardless of Davis' title, he's likely to see an uptick in playing time until Haliburton returns.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets light minutes in return Holmes (COVID-19 protocols) totaled four points (2-2 FG) and one steal across 15 minutes Sunday in the Kings' 118-112 loss to the Rockets.

Impact Holmes was back in action for the first time since Dec. 31 following a prolonged spell in the health and safety protocols. The Kings evidently weren't confident that Holmes was fully conditioned, as his 15 minutes was 10 below his season average heading into the day. Holmes should gradually pick up more playing time as he ramps up, making him a decent buy-low candidate in what's been a somewhat slow start to the season.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Poor shooting in return Jones (COVID-19 protocols) netted two points (1-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes off the bench Sunday in the Kings' 118-112 loss to the Rockets.

Impact The Kings welcomed both Jones and Richaun Holmes back from the health and safety protocols Sunday, with the latter getting the starting nod at center. The two were part of a three-way timeshare at center that also included Alex Len, though the bulk of the minutes should go to Holmes once he eventually ramps up following his two-plus-week absence. Jones enjoyed a brief run as the Kings' starting center while Holmes was out to begin January, but Jones won't have much fantasy value outside of deeper leagues now that the Sacramento is at full strength at the position.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gordon's late basket helps Rockets hold off Kings 118-112

Christian Wood had 23 points and 14 rebounds, Eric Gordon made a clutch bucket with 12.5 seconds remaining and the Houston Rockets held off the Sacramento Kings 118-112 on Sunday

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Joins Sunday's starting lineup Metu will start Sunday's game against the Rockets, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact The 24-year-old will make his 19th start of the season with Marvin Bagley (shoulder) a late scratch for Sunday's contest. Metu has averaged 9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in 25.9 minutes as a starter this year.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting for Haliburton Davis will start Sunday's game against the Rockets, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact Tyrese Haliburton is unavailable after entering the COVID-19 protocols Sunday, so Davis will make his eighth start of the season for the Kings. Davis is averaging 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 23.1 minutes per start this year.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Back with Sacramento Sacramento recalled King from the G League's Stockton Kings on Sunday, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact King will be summoned from the G League to provide some additional depth for Sacramento in Sunday's game against the Rockets after guard Tyrese Haliburton (COVID-19 protocols) and forward Marvin Bagley (shoulder) were ruled out for the contest. Unless Sunday's contest quickly turns non-competitive, King isn't expected to be featured in head coach Alvin Gentry's rotation.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available off bench Sunday Jones (conditioning) will be available for Sunday's contest against the Rockets, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact Jones is expected to return after a four-game absence due to COVID-19 protocols. Richaun Holmes also returned from protocols, so the Kings should have their usual center rotation back for the first time in January.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Sunday Bagley won't play Sunday against the Rockets due to right shoulder soreness, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact Bagley is a late scratch for Sunday's contest due to the injury, which he presumably picked up while posting 26 points (12-20 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and two blocks Friday versus Houston. Chimezie Metu will start in his place and should have an increased role for Sacramento.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Will start Sunday's game Holmes (conditioning) is available and will start Sunday's contest against the Rockets, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact Holmes will draw the start at center during his return from an eight-game absence. On the season, he's averaging 12.6 points and 8.7 rebounds in 26.1 minutes, but he'll likely be on a minutes limit during his first game since Dec. 31.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Enters COVID-19 protocols Haliburton entered the COVID-19 health and safety protocols and won't play Sunday against the Rockets.

Impact Haliburton will now potentially be sidelined for the entirety of the upcoming week after entering the protocols, though it's unclear whether or not he tested positive for the virus. Buddy Hield, Terence Davis and Davion Mitchell should be more involved for Sacramento in the meantime.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out Sunday Thompson (illness) is out Sunday against the Rockets, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Impact Thompson will sit out a fourth straight game due to an illness. His next chance to play is Wednesday against the Pistons.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable vs. Rockets Jones (conditioning) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Rockets, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Impact Jones has missed the past four games. Richaun Holmes (conditioning) is also questionable, so the Kings could be getting a normal center rotation back.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable again Holmes (conditioning) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Rockets, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Impact Holmes last played Dec. 31, and he's been day-to-day since clearing protocols Tuesday. If he returns Sunday, he could have his minutes monitored.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hands out 12 more assists in win Haliburton notched nine points (3-8 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and 12 assists across 31 minutes during Friday's 126-114 victory over Houston.

Impact It wasn't a banner night, scoring-wise, for Haliburton, but he continues to fare well as a passer, as he's racked up 39 assists over his last four games alone. Dating all the way back to Dec. 17 (16 games), Haliburton holds averages of 17.5 points, 9.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.6 threes with a ridiculous 50/48/86 shooting line.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Strong all-around line in win Fox closed with 27 points (11-18 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-6 FT), six rebounds, eight assists and two steals over 34 minutes during Friday's 126-114 victory over the Rockets.

Impact While Fox's three-point percentage (25.0% 3Pt) continues to be a major thorn in the side of fantasy managers, he's in the midst of a hot streak of late, putting up 24.5 points, 5.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 5.5 free throws per game over his last eight. Free-throw percentage has historically been an issue for Fox, as well, but he's up to a career-best 74.5 percent on the year -- still not ideal, but a notable uptick from last season's 71.9 percent figure.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drills four threes off bench Hield logged 19 points (5-13 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one steal across 32 minutes during Friday's 126-114 win over Houston.

Impact Hield continues to serve as the Kings' first guard off the bench, and he remains one of the league's highest-volume three-point threats. Over the last eight games, Hield has averaged 16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 3.9 made threes (44.3% 3Pt). He could be on the move at the deadline, but even if he's traded, his role shouldn't change dramatically.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Records 14 points off bench Davis provided 14 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), one assist, one block and two steals across 18 minutes during Friday's 126-114 victory over the Rockets.

Impact Davis provided a major boost off the bench for Sacramento, putting up his highest point total since Dec. 26. David had a nice run in early December when he made six straight starts amid some injuries, but for the most part, his workload has been inconsistent since then, so he remains a fringe option, at best, in most fantasy leagues.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Big double-double in win Bagley totaled 26 points (12-20 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 33 minutes during Friday's 126-114 win over the Rockets.

Impact This was easily Bagley's most productive game of the season, as he notched his first double-double since Dec. 13 and added a pair of swats for his first multi-block game of the campaign. The 2018 No. 2 overall pick has now started 11 straight games for the Kings, who may be looking to showcase him ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Bagley's monster game helps Kings run past Rockets, 126-114 ' Sacramento Kings Marvin Bagley set three new season highs and posted his fourth double-double of the season in Sacramento’s 126-114 win over the Rockets on F...

JANUARY 15, 2022 • NBA.COM

Sacramento and Houston meet in conference showdown

Sacramento and Houston will take the floor in a matchup of Western Conference opponents

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rockets fail to keep up with Kings in loss The Rockets engaged the Kings in a high-speed footrace but ultimately ran out of fuel.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM

Bagley's breakout game leads Kings past Rockets, 126-115

Marvin Bagley III had season highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds and the Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets 126-114

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS