Combined, Abdur-Rahim, Artest, Bibby and Martin have missed 106 games. The Kings have only had three of the four available over the last six games - the same number they were without the entire foursome in late December and early January.

The Kings finished 33-49 in 2006-07 and did not make substantial personnel changes over the summer. Sacramento drafted Seattle native and UW early entrant Spencer Hawes in the lottery, then signed journeyman forward Mikki Moore (a member of the Sonics in 2005-06). At best, the Kings entered the season expected to contend for one of the last playoff spots in the Western Conference - and that was assuming reasonable health. With all the injuries, Sacramento could have easily collapsed. Instead, at 18-24, the Kings are a game ahead of last year's pace.

That the team has played so well is a testament to the work done by both Theus and General Manager Geoff Petrie. Though he has made missteps here and there, Theus has kept the team playing hard and focused basketball, earning him some attention in early Coach of the Year talk.

"I think to me, right now, if you're getting close to midseason and talking about coach of the year candidates, there's (Boston's) Doc (Rivers), (Portland's) Nate (McMillan) and Reggie," Orlando Head Coach Stan Van Gundy said early this month.

As for Petrie, he has helped bring in talent that has filled the gaps created by the injuries. Swingman John Salmons, signed as a free agent in the summer of 2006, primarily played a reserve role in his first season in Sacramento but has started 31 games this season. He's averaging 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game - all career highs - and shooting 51.3% from the field while contributing at the defensive end. The Kings picked up point guard Beno Udrih as a free agent after the Spurs cut him loose late in training camp (dealing Udrih to Minnesota, which immediately cut him, for luxury-tax purposes). Udrih stepped into Bibby's starting role and has averaged 13.3 points and 4.4 assists, hitting 41.7% from downtown.

With everyone besides Abdur-Rahim healthy, Theus now faces a very different challenge - fitting all the pieces together, trying to maintain the production Salmons and Udrih gave the team during the injuries, and keeping everyone happy. After losing in Artest's and Bibby's return at Toronto, the Kings won their next three, capped by a 128-94 win over New Jersey. Since then, however, Sacramento has lost its last two, including a surprising 111-85 blowout at the hands of the L.A. Clippers.

To try to accommodate everyone, Theus moved to a new starting lineup in Friday's loss at Utah. Artest shifted to power forward, making room for Salmons alongside him at forward with Bibby and Martin in the backcourt and Brad Miller in the middle. While that lineup gives the Kings the most potent offense, it doesn't do much to help a defense that has ranked 26th in the NBA on a per-possession basis.

The Sonics will face a very different Sacramento team from the one they saw Nov. 6 at ARCO Arena. Artest was suspended for that game and Bibby injured, while the Kings had yet to sign Udrih and started natural shooting guard Francisco Garcia at the point. Behind a lights-out second quarter from Wally Szczerbiak, the Sonics took a 20-point first-half lead but saw the Kings rally to win on a late three by Garcia.

KEY MATCHUP
	Of the Kings starters entering the season, Miller has been the only one to stay healthy, missing just one game. After a tough 2006-07 that included injuries, Miller has bounced back to put up 14.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. The miles Miller has put on make it difficult for him to be the force he was earlier in his career as a two-time All-Star, but he's very effective using his ability to shoot and pass out of the high post. Sonics center Kurt Thomas can count on his experience in working against Miller and may have an advantage on the glass, though Thomas' availability is somewhat uncertain because of a right knee contusion.

Garcia's three-pointer powered the Kings past the Sonics 104-98 at ARCO Arena on Nov. 6. The Sonics led by as many as 20 points in the first half, but Sacramento quickly rallied to take the lead late in the third quarter. Undaunted, the Sonics went up six on two Nick Collison free throws with 3:46 left to play, but scored only one more bucket the rest of the way. With the Sonics clinging to a 98-97 lead and less than 30 seconds left, Garcia's three gave Sacramento the lead and the win.

During the second quarter, the Sonics were carried by Szczerbiak, who scored 18 points in the period and 32 in the game, shooting 12-of-16 from the field and becoming the first Sonics reserve since 2003 to score 30-plus points. Rookie Kevin Durant added 27 points, tying his career high. Martin countered with 31 points for the Kings, while forward Salmons added 23.

Kia Surprising Stat

INJURIES

Sonics - Guards Kevin Durant (left quadriceps contusion) and Delonte West (plantar fasciitis, right foot), forward Nick Collison (right knee contusion) and center Kurt Thomas (right knee contusion) is questionable. Center Robert Swift (tendinitis and contusion, right knee) are out.

Sacramento - Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim (right knee surgery) is out.

For more analysis before tonight's game, listen to the Sonics Pregame Show starting at 5:30 on KTTH 770 AM.