Sacramento Kings vs Milwaukee Bucks Key matchups, players to watch & more for Jan. 14 | 2024-25 NBA Season

The surging Sacramento Kings face the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time this season on Tuesday. Sacramento, enjoying a seven-game winning run, its longest of the season, will look to cap off an Eastern Conference road swing with another victory. Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan are ready to lead the Kings.

Meanwhile, the Bucks will hope to bounce back after a lopsided 140-106 loss on Sunday to the New York Knicks. The defeat ended their three-game winning streak.

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Sacramento Kings vs Milwaukee Bucks: Key Matchups

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs Domantas Sabonis

Two of the most versatile and bruising big men will headline the Kings-Bucks showdown. Giannis Antetokounmpo against Domantas Sabonis is the matchup to watch out for. Brook Lopez will likely start on Domas, but the "Greek Freak" will also likely spend time on him.

Sabonis makes the Kings hum on offense, even if it’s De’Aaron Fox who plays point guard. The big man sets the screens, gives hand-offs and controls the offense as the fulcrum of Sacramento’s sets. Milwaukee will have a big chance to win if Sabonis doesn't have his usual impact on the game.

Meanwhile, Sabonis likely starts on Antetokounmpo, as Keegan Murray will be a mismatch for the two-time MVP. The Bucks superstar is off to another impressive campaign as his team’s go-to option on offense. Containing Antetokounmpo will be the Kings’ top priority on defense.

De’Aaron Fox vs Damian Lillard

If Antetokounmpo isn't cleared to play, the De’Aaron Fox versus Damian Lillard one-on-one duel gets top billing.

Fox is averaging 28.0 points per game in January on 52.7% shooting. Slowing him down will be a big task for the Bucks. Andre Jackson Jr. will get the task of shadowing Swipa, but the Kings will likely counter with switches to force Dame Time on Fox. Lillard has had trouble guarding speedy guards, so his matchup against the Kings star will be interesting.

Keegan Murray vs Brook Lopez

The Kings will likely stash Murray on Lopez, who isn’t a top option on offense for the Bucks. If Sacramento stays on this strategy for long, Milwaukee could try to punish its visitors by utilizing the inside game of the 7-footer.

Meanwhile, Murray’s outside shooting could force Lopez to move out of the paint to prevent the sweet-shooting forward from having a big-scoring night.

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Sacramento Kings vs Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report

Sacramento Kings injury report

Malik Monk is questionable due to groin soreness. Mason Jones and Isaiah Crawford didn't travel with the team, as they have been assigned to the G League.

Milwaukee Bucks injury report

Khris Middleton is out, while Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the injury report but is expected to play.

The Bucks will hold out Khris Middleton for injury management. Gary Trent Jr., (hip) and Ryan Rollins (illness) are questionable. The "Greek Freak" is probable because of right patella tendinopathy but is expected to suit up.