Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction | 01.18.26

Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction, Odds & NBA Picks | 18-01-2026

As the NBA regular season progresses, an intriguing Western Conference matchup is set to unfold on January 18, 2026, at 9:00 PM in the Golden 1 Center, Sacramento. The Portland Trail Blazers (21-22) visit the struggling Sacramento Kings (12-30). This game presents a significant opportunity for the Blazers to solidify their standing, while the Kings desperately seek to turn their season around. Expect a competitive clash, but the records suggest a clear favorite.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Matchup Preview

Portland Trail Blazers Key Stats & Trends

The Portland Trail Blazers, currently hovering around .500, showcase a mix of youthful exuberance and veteran stability. Offensively, Shaedon Sharpe has emerged as a primary scoring threat, averaging an impressive 21.5 points per game. In the paint, rookie sensation Donovan Clingan anchors the rebounding effort with 10.7 boards per game, providing a crucial presence. While Jerami Grant leads in assists with 2.7 per game, the true orchestrator and two-way force is Jrue Holiday, who rates highly with 15.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 7.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 0.2 BPG. His veteran leadership and defensive prowess are invaluable, especially given the team’s significant injury list. The Blazers’ ability to adapt despite key absences speaks to their depth and coaching.

Injury Report Portland Trail Blazers

• Robert Williams III (Day-to-day): Williams (knee) is available for Sunday’s game against the Knicks, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
• Deni Avdija (Out): Avdija (back) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Lakers.
• Scoot Henderson (Out): Henderson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Lakers.
• Matisse Thybulle (Out): Thybulle (knee, thumb) won’t play Saturday versus the Lakers and remains without a timetable to return.
• Kris Murray (Out): Murray has been diagnosed with a lumbar strain in his lower back and he’s currently without an official timetable to return.
• Blake Wesley (Out): Wesley underwent a successful procedure to repair a fracture of the fifth metatarsal base in his right foot Wednesday, and he’s expected to be sidelined for 8-12 weeks, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
• Damian Lillard (Out): Lillard won’t be back on the court for the 2025-26 season, as he made clear during an interview with YouTube influencer Speed on Wednesday.

Sacramento Kings Key Stats & Trends

The Sacramento Kings find themselves in a challenging position, reflected by their 12-30 record. Despite their struggles, individual talent shines through. Zach LaVine leads the team in scoring with 19.9 points per game, providing much-needed offensive firepower. Rookie Maxime Raynaud has shown promise on the glass, grabbing 6.4 rebounds per game. Veteran guard Russell Westbrook continues to distribute the ball at a high level, averaging 7.0 assists per game, often pushing the pace. However, the team’s true anchor is Domantas Sabonis, whose all-around game is crucial, posting 16.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.2 BPG. Despite these individual efforts, the Kings have struggled to translate talent into consistent wins, especially on the defensive end.

Injury Report Sacramento Kings

• Keon Ellis (Day-to-day): Ellis (knee) is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Trail Blazers.
• Isaiah Stevens (Out): Stevens signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Kings on Tuesday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
• Keegan Murray (Out): Murray (ankle), who won’t play in Monday’s game against Dallas, is expected to miss at least three weeks, NBA reporter Marc Stein reports.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction & Best Bet

Considering the current form and injury situations, the Portland Trail Blazers are poised to secure a victory against the struggling Sacramento Kings. Despite their own injury woes, the Blazers have shown greater resilience and a more cohesive team identity, particularly with the impressive scoring of Shaedon Sharpe and the veteran leadership of Jrue Holiday. The Kings, missing Keegan Murray and relying on an older core, have struggled defensively and offensively to close out games. While Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis are potent, the Kings’ 12-30 record highlights their inconsistency.

For the total points line set at 229.5, our pick is over. Both teams possess significant offensive talent. The Kings, with Russell Westbrook pushing the pace and LaVine scoring, will contribute. The Blazers, even without Lillard, have multiple scoring options in Sharpe, Grant, and Holiday. Given the defensive vulnerabilities of both squads, particularly with key defensive specialists like Thybulle and Murray sidelined, a high-scoring affair is highly probable.