Will Kings Defeat Clippers, Improve Season Opener Record?

Throwback to the 1985-86 season, when the Kings just moved to Sacramento and opened their first game against the San Diego Clippers.

41 years later, these two franchises will meet again on Wednesday. Sacramento is 19-22 in season openers and lost 108-104 to San Diego, which relocated to Los Angeles.

The Kings aim to snap a two-game losing streak in season openers and can break it poetically against a division rival. Both teams enter the matchup short-handed, hobbled by multiple injuries.

Sacramento lost Ben Simmons to a torn Achilles, and he is likely out for the season; Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell could be on the cusp of returning, and Malik Monk's status is questionable.

Los Angeles will miss Bradley Beal (knee), Max Struss (partially torn plantar fascia), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot), Brandon Ingram (partially torn Achilles) and Jordan Miller (torn rotator cuff).

The Clippers are missing more offensive firepower than the Kings. Ingram averaged 21.5 points last season, and Beal averaged 17 in a reduced role on the Phoenix Suns in 2024-25 before missing 76 games last season due to a fractured left hip.

Veterans Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and rookie Darius Acuff Jr. are a lethal offensive trio for coach Doug Christie. They scored 47 points combined in their preseason finale against the San Antonio Spurs, with LaVine leading the group with 20.

Sabonis and Acuff showed promise as a pick-and-roll duo. The three-time All-Star helped his rookie guard create separation driving downhill, setting him up for wide-open mid-range jumpers.

Their two-man game, paired with LaVine's shooting and cutting ability, lays the blueprint for an efficient offense. The 6-foot-5 guard led the team in 3-point shooting, making 39% of 6.5 attempts.

Keegan Murray enters Wednesday's matchup healthy after missing last season's opener, sidelined with a torn UCL in his left thumb. His two-way skill set balances out the team's starting lineup, which is heavily reliant on offensive firepower.

Murray will likely guard Rui Hachimura or Derrick Jones Jr., two off-ball floor spacers. Hachimura and Jones often stay in the corners, as they're not movement shooters, but could screen for Darius Garland.

The 6-foot-8 forward can switch onto the perimeter, but Garland is too shifty and quick for Murray. Rookie guard Keaton Wagler is likely a better perimeter matchup, as he plays at a slower pace and uses quick change-of-direction to shake defenders.

Sacramento should have the advantage over Los Angeles. Although both teams are dealing with injuries, Christie's top players are available, while coach Tyronn Lue is missing quality depth contributors.