Kings forward DeMar DeRozan plans to return to action on Friday against the Clippers after missing three games due to an issue, reports NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitterlink).

DeRozan may not be the only key player back on the field for the team in Los Angeles. According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee (Twitterlink), Domantas Sabonis (back) has fully participated in the training over the past two days Malik monk (ankle) also took part in training on Thursday.

As Anderson tells (viaTwitter), head coach Mike Brown said today that Monk – who is working his way back from an ankle sprain that was expected to keep him on the shelf this weekend – will “most likely” remain inactive for Friday’s game. However, Brown confirmed that DeRozan and Sabonis “look good” to return.

Here’s more from around the Western Conference:

• Warriors guard De’Anthony Meltonwho will undergo season-ending surgery on his ACL, is well-liked in the locker room and could be a candidate to return to Golden State next season as he should be available at a bargain price, writes Anthony Slater of The Athletic . ‘I know the impression he has already left on this organization’ teammate Draymond Green said. ‘He gets the chance to come back. Hopefully he decides this is the right thing for him.”
• Taylor Jenkins achieved his 215th victory as the Grizzlies head coach on Wednesday Lionel Hollins as the winningest coach in team history, according to Clay Bailey of The Associated Press. “It is an incredible honor to be among so many great coaches who have come before me,” said Jenkins, who has a 215-192 regular-season record since being hired in 2019. “I always talk about the incredible responsibility of being the coach of this franchise. It is a privilege and an honor.”
• He appeared in his first NBA regular season game since April 2022, Elfrid Payton earned a start for the shorthanded Pelicans Wednesday, notes NOLA.com’s Christian Clark. Payton, who signed a non-guaranteed contract earlier in the day, made the most of the opportunity, contributing 11 points, eight assists and five rebounds on 5-for-8 shooting in 22 minutes.