Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings – Preview & Prediction (Nov. 20, 2025)

Tip-off: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 — 8:00 p.m. EST.

Recent form and what to watch

Memphis has had a rough stretch after a promising start. They won three of their first five games but then slid into a long losing run, including several double-digit defeats. In their last outing they played competitively for most of the game but collapsed in the fourth quarter and lost 111–101. Ja Morant remains sidelined, and off-court headlines involving the player and the coaching situation have been a distraction. Cedric Cowards and Jaren Jackson have been among the more consistent contributors while the team searches for offensive rhythm without their leading star.

Sacramento came into the season with higher expectations but has struggled badly. They grabbed only one win in their opening five games and have since fallen into a multi-game losing streak, with several lopsided losses. Their most recent defeat was a 113–99 loss to Oklahoma City, a game the Kings never really challenged. Dennis Schroder and DeMar DeRozan have been the primary scoring options, and Precious Achiuwa has shown value on the boards and in the rotation.

Injuries, matchup notes and prediction

Injury list to note: Memphis is missing Javon Small, Scotty Pippen Jr., Ja Morant, Ty Jerome, and Brandon Clarke, while Jaren Jackson is listed as questionable. Sacramento is dealing with uncertainty around Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray.

Head-to-head: Sacramento took two of three meetings against Memphis last season, but both teams look quite different this year and recent form matters more than last season’s results.

With the Kings struggling and banged up, and Memphis playing at home with a crowd that’ll expect a bounce-back, the Grizzlies have a good chance to get a much-needed win. This looks like a game where Memphis can cover a narrow spread.

Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies -1.5. Suggested stake: 2 units. (Odds referenced at publication: 1.73)

Quick note: Expect a physical game with an emphasis on defense late. If Sacramento is missing Sabonis or Murray, their spacing and rebounding will suffer, which should help Memphis control the pace and the paint.