Kings-Suns gameday live: Phoenix is best in the West; Chris Paul, Cameron Johnson updates

The Kings are happy to be home after taking a cross-country trip through Memphis, Atlanta and Boston amid the mad rush of Thanksgiving travel.

They missed their beds and their victory beam, the purple laser that shines over Golden 1 Center every time they win a game.

The Kings will play three of their next four games at home, beginning Monday when they entertain the Phoenix Suns. The Indiana Pacers will visit Wednesday in a return game for former Kings guards Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton. Then there’s a quick trip to Southern California to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday before returning to Sacramento to play the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

The Kings (10-8) are coming off back-to-back losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics after winning their previous seven games, their longest winning streak since 2004.

The Suns (13-6) have won four in a row, including Saturday’s 113-112 victory over the Utah Jazz, despite the absence of Chris Paul. The veteran point guard has missed the past nine games — and has been ruled out against the Kings — after leaving a Nov. 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers with an injury that has been described as right heel soreness.

The Kings opened their road trip with an impressive 113-109 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, but then they suffered a 115-106 loss to the Hawks and a 122-104 loss to the Celtics. The Kings rallied from a big deficit in Boston to take a six-point lead in the third quarter, but fatigue was apparent as they struggled down the stretch, playing their third game in four nights against the NBA’s top team.

Sacramento will be tested once more against the Suns, who come in with the best record in the Western Conference. They are 11th in the NBA in scoring (114.6 ppg) and fifth in scoring defense (107.7). Three-time All-Star Devin Booker is averaging 27.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists while shooting 47.3% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range. He’s also converting 86.7% of his free throws on 6.3 attempts per game.

The Pacers (11-7) will present a challenge as well. They are fourth in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers. They are seventh in scoring (116.6) and 20th in scoring defense (114.3).

The Pacers had won six of seven going into a Sunday-Monday back-to-back against the Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. Haliburton, Hield, rookie Bennedict Mathurin and center Myles Turner have been outstanding for Indiana.

Haliburton and Hield went to Indiana last season in the trade that brought Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento. Haliburton is averaging 19.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 11.1 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.8% from 3-point range for the Pacers. Hield is averaging 17.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 38.8% from 3-point range on 9.9 attempts per game.

Lyles ruled out

Kings forward Trey Lyles has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Suns due to a non-COVID-19 illness. Lyles is averaging 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game. He scored in double figures in three of the last six games.

Suns at Kings

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Even

Over/under: 233

Injury report

Suns: OUT — Chris Paul (heel); Cameron Johnson (meniscus); Jae Crowder (not with team).

Kings: OUT — Keon Ellis (G League); Trey Lyles (non-COVID illness); Chima Moneke (G League); Neemias Queta (G League).

Upcoming schedule

Nov. 28 vs. Phoenix Suns

Nov. 30 vs. Indiana Pacers

Dec. 3 at Los Angeles Clippers

Dec. 4 vs. Chicago Bulls

Dec. 7 at Milwaukee Bucks