TITLE: Ellis Sees Minutes Dip as Kings Shuffle Backcourt; Leonard Out, Curry in Question, Warriors Seek Defensive Spark
SLUG: pacific-division-updates-ellis-leonard-curry-warriors
CONTENT:
Guard Keon Ellis played 12 fourth-quarter minutes in the Sacramento Kings’ 128-99 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, marking the sixth time in nine games that he has logged fewer than 20 minutes. Ellis, who connected on 43% of his three-point attempts last season and finished second in the NBA with 280 deflections, expected a larger role after those numbers.
“I control what I can control,” Ellis said when asked about his court time.
Sacramento signed Dennis Schröder and Russell Westbrook in the offseason; both guards are currently ahead of Ellis in coach Doug Christie’s rotation. Westbrook recorded 24 points, nine assists and six rebounds on Friday after posting a triple-double Wednesday. By contrast, the Kings have been outscored by 85 points in Schröder’s 287 minutes, carrying a minus-9.9 net rating when he plays, according to The Sacramento Bee.
“There’s a logjam,” Christie said of the backcourt depth. “Night to night it could be different.”
Leonard to Miss “Next Few Games”
Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Kawhi Leonard will sit out the next several contests with a sprained right ankle. Lue added that medical imaging suggests the absence should be brief, but he did not provide a firm timetable.
Curry Listed as Questionable
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who missed two games due to illness, is questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Indiana Pacers, per the San Francisco Chronicle. Curry felt fatigued during the second half of Tuesday’s game and did not travel on the subsequent trip to Sacramento and Denver. Forward Al Horford (left foot strain) is also questionable.
Kerr, Green Point to Defensive Lapses
Following Friday’s 129-104 defeat in Denver, forward Draymond Green criticized the Warriors’ defensive effort. Coach Steve Kerr echoed that sentiment, citing a lack of “purpose and energy” after Golden State fell behind early. “You have to fight and compete every second, and it didn’t feel like we did that tonight,” Kerr said.
Source: Hoops Rumors
