Kings-Pacers gameday: Haliburton, Hield make first trip to Sacramento since Indiana trade
Note: Come back to this story throughout the day for the latest news, notes and injury updates on today’s game.
Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton will return to Sacramento for the first time since being traded when the Indiana Pacers visit the Kings on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center.
Hield returns as the franchise leader in 3-point goals after making 1,248 over six seasons in Sacramento to break Peja Stojakovic’s team record. Haliburton was once viewed as a foundational building block for the Kings, but general manager Monte McNair made a bold move to rebalance his roster last February when he acquired Domantas Sabonis in the deal that sent Haliburton and Hield to Indiana.
All parties have reason to believe the trade was good for everyone involved. The Kings (10-9) are sixth in the Western Conference, just 3 ½ games behind the first-place Phoenix Suns. The Pacers (12-8) are fourth in the Eastern Conference, 4 ½ games behind the league-leading Boston Celtics.
Sabonis is averaging 16.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists in his first full season in Sacramento. He works in tandem with point guard De’Aaron Fox to orchestrate an offense that ranks second in the NBA in scoring at 119.0 points per game. The Kings are second in true shooting percentage (.608), third in effective field-goal percentage (.592) and fourth in offensive rating (115.8).
Haliburton is averaging 19.9 points, 11.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Pacers. He leads the team in scoring and leads the league in assists, well ahead of Trae Young, who is second at 9.4 assists per game.
Hield is averaging 17.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He is shooting 36.8% from 3-point range.
Ruled out
Kings forward Trey Lyles will miss his second game in a row due to a non-COVID-19 illness. Lyles was initially listed as doubtful against the Pacers. He was ruled out Wednesday following the team’s shootaround.
Pacers at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -4.5
Over/under: 238.5
Injury report
Pacers: QUESTIONABLE — Kendall Brown (G League); Trevelin Queen (G League). OUT — Chris Duarte (ankle); Daniel Theis (knee).
Kings: DOUBTFUL — Trey Lyles (non-COVID illness). OUT — Keon Ellis (G League); Chima Moneke (G League); Neemias Queta (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Nov. 30 vs. Indiana Pacers
Dec. 3 at Los Angeles Clippers
Dec. 4 vs. Chicago Bulls
Dec. 7 at Milwaukee Bucks
Dec. 9 at Cleveland Cavaliers