After a strong road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Sacramento Kings traveled to Portland on Friday night to face the Trail Blazers in an NBA Cup Group Play game. Sacramento started the game strong, finishing the first quarter with a five-point lead. However, Portland took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Kings to claim a four-point lead at halftime. With the third quarter often being pivotal in Kings games, the second half was set to be crucial.
The Kings are already playing short-handed, missing star forward DeMar DeRozan, backup forward Trey Lyles, and rookie guard Devin Carter. The absence of these players has already impacted the team’s rotation, and things got worse when sharpshooter Kevin Huerter was forced to leave the game early in the second quarter due to an ankle injury. Huerter has been officially ruled out for the remainder of the game, adding further strain to the Kings’ already depleted lineup.
Huerter, 26, has struggled to find his rhythm in the 2024-25 season. He’s averaging just 9.4 points per game and shooting a disappointing 28% from three-point range. Despite these struggles, Huerter’s value lies in his ability to stretch the floor and create space for other players like De’Aaron Fox. His shooting threat requires defenders to stay glued to him, which opens up opportunities for Sacramento’s playmakers.
Recently, Huerter lost his starting role to younger guard Keon Ellis, and his minutes have decreased significantly. Over the last two games, he played only 24 minutes combined, down from his usual 27 minutes per game. With Sacramento already facing issues with wing depth, Huerter’s health and recovery are critical for the team moving forward, regardless of his early-season struggles.
