Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 3 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Memphis Grizzlies will battle against the Sacramento Kings on Friday at Golden 1 Center. This is the second of three meetings between these teams this season. On Dec. 5, the Grizzlies prevailed over the Kings 115-110.

The Grizzlies, who boast one of the best offenses in the league, are currently second in the Western Conference by virtue of their 23-11 record. They've won three of their last four games, with their most recent victory coming against the Phoenix Suns (117-112) on New Year's Eve.

Meanwhile, the Kings (15-19, 12th in the West) appear to be gaining some traction after firing coach Mike Brown on Dec. 27. Though they lost to the LA Lakers 132-122 in their first game under interim coach Doug Christie, they've since won two straight: a 110-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks and a 113-107 dub over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings: Injury report

Memphis Grizzlies injury report

A total of five players are out for the Grizzlies on Friday. These players are Ja Morant (shoulder), Marcus Smart (finger), Santi Aldama (ankle), GG Jackson (foot) and Vince Williams Jr. (ankle). Meanwhile, four players have been ruled questionable: Brandon Clarke (knee), Zach Edey (concussion), Yuki Kawamura (shoulder) and Jake LaRavia (ankle).

Sacramento Kings injury report

Keegan Murray (ankle) and Devin Carter (shoulder) have been deemed questionable for the matchup against the Grizzlies.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings: Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Memphis Grizzlies

Starters	2nd row	3rd row
Scotty Pippen Jr.	Luke Kennard
Desmond Bane	Cam Spencer
John Konchar
Jaylen Wells	Colin Castleton
Jaren Jackson Jr.	Jay Huff

Sacramento Kings

Starters	2nd unit	3rd unit
De'Aaron Fox	Trey Lyles
Malik Monk	Kevin Huerter
Keon Ellis	Doug McDermott	Jae Crowder
DeMar DeRozan	Trey Lyles	Isaac Jones
Domantas Sabonis	Alex Len

Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings: Key matchups

Scotty Pippen Jr. vs. De'Aaron Fox

The son of six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen has made a name for himself as a highly capable defender. In November, he put the clamps on Damian Lillard in a 122-99 Grizzlies win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Scottie Jr. will have to put in the same type of effort against De'Aaron Fox, a creative scoring machine putting up a career-high 26.8 points per game for the Kings.

Jaren Jackson Jr. vs. Domantas Sabonis

Two seasons ago, Jaren Jackson Jr. was named an All-Star precisely because of his defensive prowess. That same season, Domantas Sabonis made the All-Star team for the third time in his career. Either one of these young centers can hold this Grizzlies-Kings game in the palm of their hands by protecting the rim, controlling the boards and dictating the pace.