The NBA Western Conference matchup on February 23, 2026 saw the struggling Sacramento Kings visit the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Both teams have faced a difficult season, but the situation has been far worse for Sacramento, who entered the game on a long losing streak and with multiple key players ruled out for the season. Memphis, although not in playoff position, had the advantage of home court, slightly better form, and a more balanced young roster.
This game was important for the Grizzlies to keep their play-in hopes alive, while the Kings were desperately trying to stop their historic losing run. Injuries, poor offensive form, and defensive struggles have hurt Sacramento throughout the season. Memphis, despite missing several rotation players, relied on depth, pace, and home energy to control the matchup. Below is the complete updated analysis including standings, team form, injuries, key player stats, head-to-head record, betting trends, and expert picks.
Match Details
| Match | Sacramento Kings vs Memphis Grizzlies |
|---|---|
| Date | February 23, 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM ET (6:30 AM IST, Feb 24) |
| Venue | FedExForum, Memphis |
| TV | NBCS-CA, FDSN SE-MEM |
| Streaming | NBA League Pass |
Latest Standings
| Team | Record | Conference Rank | Current Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzlies | 22–34 | 11th West | Won last game (W1) |
| Kings | 12–47 | 15th West | Lost 17 straight (L17) |
Recent Form & Team Performance
| Category | Kings | Grizzlies |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 110.1 (29th) | 115.5 (17th) |
| Points Allowed | 121.1 (28th) | 117.7 |
| Rebounds | 41.3 | 44.8 |
| Assists | 25.0 | 28.7 |
Sacramento continues to struggle offensively and defensively, while Memphis plays at a faster pace and has shown better balance.
Injury Report
Sacramento Kings
- Domantas Sabonis – Out for season (knee/back surgery)
- Zach LaVine – Out for season (finger)
- De’Andre Hunter – Out (eye)
- Dylan Cardwell – Out (ankle)
- Devin Carter – Day-to-day
- Dennis Schroder – Game-time decision / available
The Kings are missing their core stars, which has heavily impacted their performance.
Memphis Grizzlies
- Ja Morant – Out (elbow)
- Brandon Clarke – Out (calf)
- Santi Aldama – Out (knee)
- Zach Edey – Out (ankle)
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Out for season
- Ty Jerome – Questionable / illness
- Kyle Anderson – Day-to-day
Despite multiple absences, Memphis has managed to stay competitive with its young rotation.
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Key Players to Watch
Memphis Grizzlies
- Jaren Jackson Jr. – Leading scorer, around 25 PPG impact level
- Jaylen Wells – Averaging around 16+ PPG in February
- Cam Spencer – Playmaking and scoring support
- GG Jackson – Emerging scoring option
Memphis relies on youth energy and balanced scoring to stay competitive.
Sacramento Kings
- DeMar DeRozan – Team leader with 18.6 PPG
- Russell Westbrook – Around 15.0 PPG and playmaking support
- Malik Monk – Key scoring option off the perimeter
- Keegan Murray – Floor spacing and secondary scoring
With Sabonis and LaVine out, the offensive load is heavily on DeRozan and the supporting cast.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Season Series | Grizzlies lead |
| Last 3 Meetings | Memphis won all |
| ATS vs Kings | Memphis 3–0 |
| All-Time Series | Kings lead 59–53 |
Memphis has dominated the recent matchups despite trailing historically.
Also see: Celtics Defeat Lakers 128-106 as Payton Pritchard
Betting Odds & Market Trends
| Market | Line Range |
|---|---|
| Spread | Grizzlies -3 to -5.5 |
| Moneyline | Grizzlies -150 approx |
| Over/Under | 232.5 – 234.5 |
Key Trends
- Kings have lost 17 straight games
- Sacramento is 22–36 against the spread (worst in NBA)
- Grizzlies have covered 4 of last 5
- Kings team total has gone Under in 32 of last 50 games
- Combined scoring average: 225.6, below the total line
Best Picks & Score Prediction
Main Prediction: Grizzlies to Win
Spread Pick: Grizzlies -3.5 / -4
Total Pick: Under 232.5
Projected Score: Grizzlies 121 – Kings 111
Player Prop Ideas
- Jaylen Wells Over 14.5 points
- DeMar DeRozan Around 16–20 points range
This matchup clearly favored Memphis due to home advantage, better form, and Sacramento’s injury crisis. The Kings’ offense has struggled all season, ranking near the bottom in scoring efficiency, and the absence of Sabonis and LaVine has made their situation even more difficult.
Memphis, although not at full strength, showed better team balance, faster pace, and improved confidence against Sacramento. With a young core stepping up and strong recent head-to-head results, the Grizzlies were able to control the game and secure an important win.
For Memphis, this victory keeps their play-in hopes alive. For Sacramento, the rebuilding phase continues as the team searches for answers in what has been one of the toughest seasons in franchise history.
