Chicago Bulls Center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) shoots between Sacramento Kings Richaun Holmes (22) and Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes (40) during a game at the Golden 1 Center on Monday December 2, 2019 in Sacramento .
Kings coach Luke Walton has little precious time to integrate Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes into his rotation before the seeding matches begin, so he was happy to have them in uniform on Monday for the team’s final scrimmage against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Both players returned after losing the first two scrimmages. Their minutes were limited, but every minute has added value as the Kings try to establish the rhythm and rhythm before the games start to count on Friday when the San Antonio Spurs play.
The Kings found a bit of both in a 106-102 win against the Clippers on Monday at the Arena, one of three places where NBA games are played at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando. Walton was glad that Holmes and Barnes could be part of the team’s first win in the NBA bubble.
“It’s fantastic for them,” said Walton. “Having the opportunity to get just this scrimmage with them where they both came from was really great for us. Obviously, we would like to have them for all three, but it is not so. So having some time out there on the floor together I think it will pay off before Friday arrives. “
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the kings with 21 points. Buddy Hield had 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists, including two beautiful passes for Harry Giles III and an altruistic pass to Cory Joseph for an open 3-pointer. De’Aaron Fox scored 12 points, six assists and four rebounds, and Giles scored 12 points and nine rebounds before dismissing.
Barnes finished with 12 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes. Holmes scored six points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.
Barnes had been away from the team for three weeks after testing positive for COVID-19 in early July. After Monday’s game, he revealed that his wife and mother also contracted the virus and experienced more severe symptoms.
Barnes traveled to Florida on Friday and attended his first practice on Sunday after completing the COVID-19 protocols. Holmes has been limited to practice sessions since he emerged from his 10-day mandatory quarantine for breaking the rules of the NBA bubble.
Walton said he believed they were both ready to play Monday during a pre-game Zoom session with the media.
“They look good,” said Walton before the game. “Harrison is surprisingly so: he’s been with us for a day now, so he’s looking good. And Richaun has good energy, flying to the gym, so great pickups as far as overall intensity is concerned, bringing them both back to the gym. “
Initial training
Walton started Holmes with Fox, Bogdanovic, Kent Bazemore and Nemanja Bjelica. Holmes was active and aggressive. He reached the free throw line six times and committed four fouls in minutes.
“It was great to have the opportunity to be here again to play basketball, to be here with my teammates and to have fun,” said Holmes. “I have to put together some timing things to make sure my wind is fair, but it was great to be out there on the floor and keep competing.”
Holmes said he was satisfied with his conditioning despite spending 10 days in a 320 square foot room under quarantine orders.
“My wind was fine,” he said. “I’ve worked a lot. I’m working hard on and off the pitch to make sure I’m in the best shape possible when I get back there. “
Walton chose to bring Barnes off the bench. Walton said the team would limit Barnes’ playing time more than Holmes, even though Barnes ended up recording more minutes.
Barnes, a combined striker whose versatility is vital to Walton’s small ball formations, came into play for the first time in the middle of the first quarter. He first took the small forward position with Fox, Bogdanovic, Bjelica and Holmes. Barnes then moved to the power place with Fox, Hield, Bogdanovic and Giles.
The past few days have been a whirlwind for Barnes, who got ready about 72 hours after arriving on the bubble, but was anxious and ready to play, and time is of the essence.
“It’s been a race since yesterday – early morning tests, going out and practicing, lifting a few shots and then playing in today’s game,” said Barnes. “It is fantastic to be out there. Physically, I’m fine. As for rhythm, there are many things that can be strengthened and improved, but luckily I still have a couple of days to try and do it before the time comes. “
Update on Alex Len
One player that the Kings have not yet returned to is Alex Len, the 7-foot center who arrived in Sacramento in a February exchange with the Atlanta Hawks.
Len lost taste and smell and experienced chest tightness during a 24-day battle with COVID-19 before being allowed to join the team on July 17th. Ten days later, Walton said that Len is still trying to prepare for the game in time for Friday’s open bubble against the Spurs.
“We are confident,” said Walton. “He is working hard, but he has not yet adhered to any type of 5 out of 5 contact drill. … We hope we can have it before the start of the games, but there is a possibility that we do not. “
Len averaged 6.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 shots blocked in nine games for kings. In these nine games, the Kings ranked second in the NBA behind the Milwaukee Bucks in percentage of defensive rebound (. 768) and second chance points of the opponent (8.9). They were 10 years oldth in the defensive evaluation (109.3).
Walton said that the Kings are not the same on the defensive without Len’s imposing presence.
“We are drilling and playing with different covers,” said Walton. “In those nine games he played, he really brought an advantage and strength to our painting. With its dimensions, it did a great job protecting the edge and all those things, but without one of those dimensions the defensive coverages must be a little different. The offensive execution will be different, so it’s just a kind of repetition of what we have. We love what we have. It’s just different than when you have someone the unique size of Alex out there. “
King’s upcoming program
Friday vs. Spurs, 5:00 pm (NBCS)
Sunday vs. Magic, 3 pm (NBCS, NBA TV)
August 4 against Mavericks, 11:30 (NBCS)
August 6 against pelicans, 10:30 am (NBCS, NBA TV)
August 7 against goals, 2.00pm (NBCS)
August 9 vs. Rockets, 5 pm (NBCS)
11 August vs. Pelicans, 6pm (NBCS, TNT)
August 13 against Lakers, TBD (NBCS)
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