Both teams arrive with contrasting records as the Spurs travel to Sacramento for a pivotal NBA Cup group‑stage showdown.
Key points
- The Spurs hold a significant advantage in both record and recent head‑to‑head performance.
- Sacramento’s injury list removes several key contributors, potentially widening the gap.
- The NBA Cup group stage provides a fresh competitive context separate from regular‑season standings.
The San Antonio Spurs (6‑2, fifth in the Western Conference) will meet the Sacramento Kings (1‑7, 14th in the West) on Friday at 10 p.m. EST in Sacramento, California, in the NBA Cup’s in‑season tournament group play, according to an Associated Press report on news4sanantonio.com.
The Kings finished the 2025‑26 season with a 22‑60 overall record and a 14‑38 mark in conference play, averaging 111.0 points per game while allowing 121.0. Their home performance was 15‑26. By contrast, the Spurs posted a 62‑20 overall record and a 36‑16 conference slate, scoring 119.8 points per game and ranking among the league’s most efficient shooting teams – 19.3 points from the free‑throw line and 40.8 from three‑point range.
Kings' season snapshot
This will be the second meeting between the clubs this season. In their October 28 matchup, the Spurs routed the Kings 130‑103, with rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama leading San Antonio with 29 points. De’Andre Hunter topped the Kings with 24 points in that game.
Injury concerns could shape the contest. The Kings are without Ben Simmons (season‑ending Achilles injury), Keegan Murray (ankle), Maxime Raynaud (knee) and have Daeqwon Plowden listed day‑to‑day with an illness. The Spurs list Jayden Quaintance (knee) as out and Tobias Harris as day‑to‑day with a calf issue.
Spurs' offensive firepower
The NBA Cup group stage offers both teams a chance to add a tournament win to their season résumé. While the Spurs enter as clear favorites based on recent form and offensive output, the Kings will look to rebound from a difficult regular‑season campaign and prove competitive in the single‑elimination format.
Reader questions
When and where is the Spurs‑Kings NBA Cup game being played?
The matchup is scheduled for Friday at 10 p.m. EST in Sacramento, California.
How did the two teams finish the 2025‑26 regular season?
The Kings ended 22‑60 overall (14‑38 in the West) and the Spurs finished 62‑20 overall (36‑16 in the West).
Which players are unavailable for the game due to injury?
The Kings are without Ben Simmons, Keegan Murray, Maxime Raynaud and have Daeqwon Plowden day‑to‑day. The Spurs list Jayden Quaintance out and Tobias Harris day‑to‑day.
Source: news4sanantonio.com
