LOS ANGELES —

Heading into their preseason finale against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Sacramento Kings were without three starters.

Keegan Murray (thumb) and Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) remain sidelined, but DeMar DeRozan was a late scratch due to groin soreness. Malik Monk missed his second consecutive preseason battle due to an illness.

New addition Russell Westbrook spent his first game on Sacramento’s bench, but did not suit up as he’s returning to game conditioning.

That left head coach Doug Christie in a tough spot with his starting unit, with Luka Doncic on the other side.

He elected to begin with Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine, Nique Clifford, Isaac Jones, and Drew Eubanks.

Clifford was assigned to slow down Doncic from the jump, a big ask for their rookie. His offensive game

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