October 24, 2026 at 2:41 AM UTC

Pregame Analysis

Kings Lean on Old Starters as Grizzlies Visit

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Sacramento's ball-handling hole and defensive questions give Memphis an opening, but the Kings' known starting group may be enough at home.

Sacramento hosts Memphis with a rotation that was reshaped by Ben Simmons' reported Achilles tear in practice. Yahoo describes the injury as season-ending, so the Kings cannot count on him. He had won a starting spot, and his loss removes a ball-handler. Sacramento has gone back to the group it first expected to use: Acuff Jr., LaVine, Hunter, Murray and Sabonis.

That group has a clear weakness. One source calls the Acuff Jr., LaVine and Sabonis trio a defensive nightmare, and Murray alone can't cover for all of it. Memphis should test that by attacking in space and forcing Sabonis into repeated decisions on the perimeter. The Grizzlies' best path is to keep the Kings' defense moving and make Sacramento win with its shot-making.

Hunter is another question. He shot 21.1% in four preseason games and averaged 3.0 points in 17.5 minutes. If he is still struggling, Memphis can sag off him and crowd the lane for Sabonis and LaVine. Sacramento is also reportedly weighing point guard reinforcements, with Memphis guard Walter Clayton Jr. mentioned as a possible target. Nothing is confirmed, so the Kings may be thin on creators for this game.

Still, the Kings' returning starters have a defined role for each player, and that should help at home. Sabonis gives them a reliable hub, and LaVine and Murray can create enough offense to make up for the defensive lapses. I expect a close game in which Memphis gets plenty of good looks, but Sacramento's offense holds up late.

Prediction: Kings 114, Grizzlies 111.

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