Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton on Saturday said that rookie Tyrese Haliburton will start in place of De’Aaron Fox after the veteran guard was placed into the health and safety protocols.
On Friday, it was reported by Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic that Fox was entered into the health and safety protocols and would likely miss 10-14 days. Walton could not comment on it much further than that, out of privacy for Fox.
Without Fox in the lineup, the Kings will be forced to switch things up in the rotation. Walton said the absence of Fox will help create opportunities to play longer minutes for other players on the roster.
We’ll start Tyrese so, clearly, his role will grow. Delon (Wright’s) role will grow. This is going to be one of those things where we’re not going to make up for what De’Aaron does with one person. We have to continue to work on the things that we value and it’s one of those things that, as a group, we have to come out and play much better without having De’Aaron out there.
The Kings have used Haliburton previously this season in the starting lineup so his new, temporary role will not be anything new for him. Haliburton is averaging 14.1 points, 5.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 15 games as a starter.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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