Sacramento Kings @ New Orleans Pelicans: Dec 18, 2026

Updated
Regular Season
Sacramento KingsKings
0-2 · Away
8:00 PM ET
Scheduled
Friday, December 18, 2026
New Orleans PelicansPelicans
0-3 · Home

Kings vs Pelicans tips off at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT) on Friday, December 18, 2026 at Smoothie King Center, New Orleans. TV: NBC Sports California (Kings), Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (Pelicans).

How to Watch Kings vs Pelicans: Time, TV & Stream

Date & time
Friday, December 18, 20268:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Watch on
Local TV onlyLocal: Kings NBC Sports California · Pelicans Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network
Stream
NBA League PassKings: NBC Sports App / Peacock add-on · Pelicans: Pelicans+
Arena
Smoothie King CenterNew Orleans

League Pass carries this game outside both teams' markets; inside them it is on the local channel or stream. Outside the US: NBA League Pass International, no blackouts. Canada: NBA League Pass Canada.

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Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosStatusInjurySince
Ben SimmonsKingsG-FOut For SeasonAchillesOct 18, 2026
Dylan CardwellKingsCOutCalfOct 13, 2026
Maxime RaynaudKingsFOutKneeOct 15, 2026
Yves MissiPelicansCDay-To-DayKneeOct 23, 2026

Status as of 8:00 PM ET, Oct 24. Teams can change a player's status up to tip-off; check team announcements before the game.

Key Players

Kings

Pelicans

Season averages, top three scorers per team.

Kings vs Pelicans Preview

The Kings are 0-2 this season, while the Pelicans are 0-3 this season.

The Pelicans won last season's series 2-1. The Pelicans rank 3rd in points per game, the biggest gap between these teams. Players to watch: Zach LaVine (25.0 points per game) and Zion Williamson (20.7 points per game).

Kings vs Pelicans Head-to-Head

2026-27 season seriesFirst meeting this season
2025-26 season seriesPelicans 2-1

Previous meetings

Kings vs Pelicans Season Stats 2026-27

Kings 2 GPPelicans 3 GP
108.0#26
Points per game
124.7#3
124.5#26
Opponent points
128.0#28
44.3%#20
Field goal %
47.8%#8
27.6%#26
Three-point %
30.9%#20
75.9%#17
Free throw %
86.2%#2
42.0#20
Rebounds
45.7#11
21.5#29
Assists
24.7#19
7.5#23
Steals
11.7#5
1.0#30
Blocks
5.3#12
15.5#14
Turnovers
15.7#15

Regular-season averages; rank of 30 teams.

Standings Context

Western Conference

#TeamW-LGB
11Spurs1-22.0
12Mavericks1-22.0
13Kings0-22.5
14Pelicans0-33.0
15Warriors0-33.0

More NBA Games on Dec 18, 2026

This Kings vs Pelicans page updates on its own: live score during the game, box score and recap minutes after the final buzzer. Next: Kings visit the Heat Dec 20; Pelicans host the Spurs Dec 20.

Kings vs Pelicans FAQs

What time does Kings vs Pelicans start?

The Sacramento Kings play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, December 18, 2026 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Tip-off is 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT).

What channel is Kings vs Pelicans on?

Local TV: NBC Sports California (Kings), Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (Pelicans). Out-of-market fans can stream it on NBA League Pass.

What are the Kings and Pelicans records?

Going into this game the Kings were 0-2 and the Pelicans were 0-3 this season.

Who is injured for Kings vs Pelicans?

As of 8:00 PM ET, Oct 24: Ben Simmons (Kings, out for season, achilles); Dylan Cardwell (Kings, out, calf); Maxime Raynaud (Kings, out, knee); Yves Missi (Pelicans, day-to-day, knee).

How did Kings vs Pelicans go last season?

The Pelicans won the regular-season series 2-1 in 2025-26.

Who won the last Kings vs Pelicans game?

The Kings beat the Pelicans 117-113 on Apr 3, 2026 at home.

Where is Kings vs Pelicans being played?

At Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, the home arena of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Is Kings vs Pelicans on NBA League Pass?

Yes, outside the Kings and Pelicans markets. Inside them the game is on the local channel and the team's streaming service (Pelicans+ for Pelicans fans). Outside the US, NBA League Pass International carries every game.