Sat Jan 03 01:10:00 UTC 2026: ## Suns Look to Capitalize on Short-Handed Kings at Home

PHOENIX, AZ – The Phoenix Suns (19-14) return to the Mortgage Matchup Center tonight at 7:00 PM Arizona Time to face the Sacramento Kings (8-26), eager to capitalize on a favorable matchup after a successful 4-1 road trip. The game will be broadcast on Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, and NBATV, with radio coverage on KMVP 98.7.

While not a must-win, the Suns are expected to take advantage of a Kings team missing key players Domantas Sabonis (Partial Meniscus Tear) and Zach LaVine (Ankle Sprain), and playing on the second night of a back-to-back. However, Sacramento’s guard-heavy lineup featuring DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, and Dennis Schroder, presents a potent offensive threat that the Suns can’t afford to underestimate.

The Suns’ frontcourt will look to exploit a weakness in the King’s defense. Center Mark Williams has been dominant against Sacramento this season, averaging 13.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in two previous games. He’s poised to continue his success against a thin Kings’ front line if the Suns prioritize getting him the ball. Phoenix also needs to take advantage of the King’s poor interior defense by scoring points in the paint.

Defensively, the Suns’ guards, including Jordan Goodwin, Collin Gillespie, and Dillon Brooks, will be tasked with containing Sacramento’s explosive perimeter players. A physical matchup between Brooks and DeRozan is anticipated.

A key to the Suns’ success will be their continued dominance on the offensive glass. They’ve rebounded 40.7% of their missed shots in their last five games, a trend they need to maintain against a smaller Kings team. The Suns’ bench, featuring Jordan Goodwin, Ryan Dunn, and Jamaree Bouyea, will also need to maintain a strong presence to match the production of the Kings’ bench unit.

Injury Report: Grayson Allen is listed as questionable for the Suns due to knee injury management, while Jalen Green remains out with a right hamstring strain. Jordan Goodwin is expected to play despite a jaw sprain. For the Kings, Dylan Cardwell and Daeqwon Plowden are out on G-League assignments.

Prediction: Keep an eye on Devin Booker, who is due for a big scoring game. This could be the night he explodes for 40 points for the first time this season and the Suns continue their dominance over the Kings this year.
Final Score: Suns 125, Kings 109.

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