NBA Injury Report: Kings and Cavaliers Face Off Short-Handed in Crucial Matchup
The Sacramento Kings will travel to Cleveland on January 23, 2026, to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in what promises to be a challenging contest for both franchises. Both teams enter this game significantly short-handed, with multiple key rotation players sidelined due to injuries and other assignments. These absences are expected to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of this NBA regular season encounter.
Sacramento Kings Injury Situation: Murray's Extended Absence Hurts Defense
For the Sacramento Kings, this road game comes during another difficult stretch away from home. The team has struggled consistently on the road throughout the season, despite recently managing to put together a four-game winning streak. Currently sitting at a disappointing 12–33 record, the Kings own the league's worst road performance statistics.
The Kings will once again be without forward Keegan Murray, who remains sidelined with a left ankle sprain. This marks his ninth consecutive missed game, removing one of Sacramento's most reliable defensive presences from the lineup. His absence forces the team to rely more heavily on role players like Nique Clifford to cover crucial wing minutes.
Additionally, Daeqwon Plowden and Isaiah Stevens are unavailable due to G-League assignments. On a positive note, Domantas Sabonis is active after recently working his way back from knee issues. His availability becomes particularly important for a Kings team trying to stay competitive despite their challenging season.
Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report: Backcourt Depth Tested
The Cleveland Cavaliers, despite holding a stronger 25–20 record in the standings, face their own injury challenges that have significantly thinned their lineup. The team will be without guard Darius Garland for a fourth straight game as he continues to deal with a right great toe sprain. His absence limits Cleveland's ball-handling capabilities and secondary scoring options.
Sam Merrill joins the injury list with a right hand sprain, while Max Strus remains out following left foot Jones fracture surgery and has yet to play this season. Chris Livingston is also unavailable due to a G-League assignment. Despite these significant losses, Cleveland enters the game with one of the league's more productive offensive units.
On-Court Implications: Matchup Challenges and Strategic Adjustments
The injury situations create fascinating matchup challenges for both teams. Without Keegan Murray's defensive presence, Sacramento faces a difficult task containing Cleveland's offensive weapons including Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. The Kings will need to lean heavily on DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine to keep their offense flowing, especially given their ongoing struggles in away games.
Cleveland's missing shooters could potentially limit floor spacing, which might give Sacramento some competitive room if Domantas Sabonis can effectively control the paint and dominate the rebounding battle. The outcome may ultimately come down to which team's bench players can hold up better under pressure and contribute meaningful minutes in the absence of regular rotation players.
Tip-off for this intriguing NBA matchup is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, with both teams looking to manage their injury situations effectively and secure a much-needed victory. The game represents an important test of depth and resilience for two franchises navigating challenging circumstances during the 2025-2026 NBA season.
