INJURY UPDATE: TWO KEY KINGS PLAYERS DOUBTFUL TO FACE MILWUAKEE DUE TO ANKLE INJURIES

When the Kings play the formidable Bucks on Tuesday night, they might be missing a starter.

In spite of being in a precarious situation when playoff positioning is at stake, the Sacramento Kings have only won five of their last nine games since the All-Star break. The Kings are currently one game behind sixth place in the Western Conference at 36-27, but only 1.5 games behind ninth, ahead of their encounter with the formidable Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

When the Kings last met the Bucks, an overtime drama that finished in a Hollywood-style buzzer-beater by Milwaukee’s star point guard Damian Lillard sealed the victory.

The stars shone in that Milwaukee matchup as the Bucks’ Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined for 56 points, 18 assists, and 14 rebounds, while Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis combined for 53 points, 20 assists, and 15 rebounds.

The Kings and Bucks have issued their injury reports ahead of what should be another thrilling game between the cross-conference teams.

Sacramento Kings:

Keegan Murray – QUESTIONABLE (ankle)

Sasha Vezenkov – OUT (ankle)

Milwaukee Bucks:

Giannis Antetokounmpo – PROBABLE (knee)

AJ Green – PROBABLE (ankle)

MarJon Beauchamp – QUESTIONABLE (back)

Khris Middleton – QUESTIONABLE (ankle)

The Bucks may be at a disadvantage if Antetokounmpo is out, but the all-star forward is anticipated to play on Tuesday. Keegan Murray’s availability, who is considered “questionable” after spraining his ankle during Sunday’s loss to the Houston Rockets, is the cause for concern for Sacramento supporters.

With Murray’s condition uncertain and Sasha Vezenkov expected to miss his 13th straight game, Sacramento’s forward depth may be severely limited for their game against Milwaukee on Tuesday.

With Murray out, the Kings are 2-2 on the year. Chris Duarte, the backup wing, has started every game in Murray’s place. In order to replace the exceptional sophomore’s two-way impact, Sacramento will need guys to come up on both ends of the floor for Tuesday’s game against the East’s second-place club.

In addition to playing the first leg of a back-to-back against the Bucks, Sacramento has a difficult game against the Lakers on Wednesday. The Kings’ first focus is keeping the Golden 1 Center safe as they begin a six-game home stand.

The Kings and Bucks tip off at 7 p.m. PT.