Dennis Schroder has established a nice rhythm since moving into a backup role for the Sacramento Kings, but now he is dealing with an injury.
Schroder is questionable due to right hip soreness as the Kings prepare to play the Phoenix Suns in an NBA Cup game Wednesday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Kings (5-13) are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time this season after beating the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Suns (11-7) had won three in a row and eight of nine before suffering a 114-92 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday.
Here are three keys to Wednesday’s game.
More Keegan Murray
Keegan Murray has appeared in three games since returning from a thumb injury. He started the past two games, making 17 of 33 (.515) from the field and 6 of 13 (.462) from 3-point range to help the Kings beat the Nuggets and Timberwolves.
DeMar DeRozan had high praise for Murray following Monday’s win over Minnesota, saying Murray is “the key to this team.”
Murray missed the first 15 games of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. He had 26 points and 14 rebounds against the Timberwolves after scoring 19 points against the Nuggets.
Booker and Brooks
Devin Booker is still the driving force in Phoenix, but Dillon Brooks has been a big addition for the Suns.
Booker is averaging 26.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists. Brooks averages 22.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals.
Brooks has led the Suns in scoring in four of their last five games. He scored 29 points against the Rockets on Monday. He had a season-high 34 points against the Atlanta Hawks on Nov. 16.
Schroder’s status
The Kings will miss Schroder’s production off the bench if he is unable to play against the Suns.
Schroder came to Sacramento in a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons to be the team’s starting point guard. He started the first 12 games before moving into a backup role.
As a reserve over the past six games, Schroder has averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 38.7% from 3-point range.
Suns at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Suns -4.5
Over/under: 233.5
Injury report
Suns: OUT — Grayson Allen (quadriceps); Ryan Dunn (wrist); Jalen Green (hamstring).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Dennis Schroder (hip). OUT — Dylan Cardwell (G League); Daeqwon Plowden (G League); Domantas Sabonis (knee); Isaiah Stevens (G League).O
This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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Jason Anderson
The Sacramento Bee
Jason Anderson is The Sacramento Bee’s Kings beat writer. He is a Sacramento native and a graduate of Fresno State, where he studied journalism and college basketball under the late Jerry Tarkanian.
