The bigger problem for Sacramento is the big-man depth chart. Dylan Cardwell (calf) and Maxime Raynaud (knee) are both expected to miss at least the first 5 or 6 games of the season, which puts both of them out for Tuesday's trip, and Ben Simmons is done after surgery on a torn right Achilles. That's a lot of size missing for a game where the other team's whole identity starts with Wembanyama in the paint.
Then there's Keegan Murray. He's questionable for the Memphis game with left ankle capsulitis, and even healthy he hasn't looked right: 7.0 points a game on 29.4% shooting through 2 games, with no 3-pointers yet. He went 1-for-8 in the Clippers blowout and was steadier with 12 against Portland. If the ankle keeps him out, NBC Sports points to Precious Achiuwa and Alex Karaban getting the power forward minutes. Neither is the floor-spacer the Kings need to pull Wembanyama away from the basket. Sacramento needs Murray playing well and healthy, and right now neither is a given.
San Antonio has its own holes. Tobias Harris (calf) missed the Dallas game, and Jayden Quaintance hasn't been cleared for basketball activities. The Spurs' guard group covers a lot of that, though. With Harper, Fox and Castle all able to run the offense, the Kings can't load up on one ball-handler, and a defense that has given up 120-plus twice doesn't have many answers to begin with.
Clippers96-121
Tipoff is 7:00 PM CT on Tuesday, October 27 at Frost Bank Center. The Spurs are still waiting on their first home win after 2 close losses in San Antonio, and the Kings will need a lot more from Murray and their thin frontcourt to hang around. Watch the paint: if Sacramento can't make Wembanyama work on defense, this game could get away from them early.