Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) and center Domantas Sabonis (10). Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Four-time NBA champion backs Kings to make playoffs

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Apr 19, 2024 3:30 PM ET

The Sacramento Kings will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. They defeated the Golden State Warriors in the battle of the ninth and 10th seeds.

Zion Williamson will be missing from New Orleans' rotation following an injury suffered when facing the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

During a recent episode of his "The Draymond Green Show," the four-time NBA champion shared his rationale for why the Kings should overcome New Orleans and qualify for the playoffs.

"Without Zion, I think the Kings should win that pretty easily," Green said. "...I think the Kings go in, they have the experience...I think they go and win that game. If their defense is flying around, the way they were flying around against us, and no Zion...That's a huge loss. They're (the Pelicans) not going to be able to overcome that, in my opinion."

With Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox, the Kings have a talented two-man game. New Orleans' defense will be tested as it tries to slow the two All-Star-caliber talents down.

Furthermore, it must pay attention to Keegan Murray, who was integral in Sacramento's win over Golden State. Without Zion in their rotation, the Pelicans project to be overmatched by the Kings.

Sacramento suffered a first-round exit in the 2023 playoffs. It took the Warriors to seven games. The Kings likely feel they can take the first-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder to the brink in a potential first-round series. The Kings head into Friday's matchup as slight favorites. Green is likely going to be proven right. Zion's absence changes everything.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

More must-reads: