Thornton misses finale: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was declared out in advance of Thursday’s season finale against the Lakers with a quad contusion that cost him the finale four games of the season. The injury is not considered serious, but with the Kings season long over, they have had no reason to test his injury. (Updated 04/26/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/26/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Thornton played in just 51 games this season, however when he was healthy he continued to put up extremely solid scoring numbers for the Kings. He averaged 18.7 points and 1.9 assists per game in 34.9 minutes per game, and increased his efficiency in the second half of the season, pointing to a possible breakout next season. The Kings played much better offensively after the All-Star break with Isaiah Thomas at the point, and the team seems content to move forward with that arrangement next season. If he had qualified for the leaders, Thornton would have finished 20th in the league in scoring, and with another year of development, could vault into a place among the league’s elite scorers next season, so target him in the early-middle rounds on Draft Day. (Updated 04/26/2012).
04/15/2012 21:08 Thornton hits game-winner for Kings
Marcus Thornton scored 20 points and made the winning jumper with 3.2 seconds left, lifting the Sacramento Kings to a 104-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
04/10/2012 23:20 Mavericks down struggling Kings
Dirk Nowitzki and Rodrigue Beaubouis each had 15 points to lead six Dallas players in double figures, and the Mavericks beat the struggling Sacramento Kings 110-100 on Tuesday night before hitting the road.
04/09/2012 09:12 Week 16 Start 'Em and Sit 'Em
J.J. Barea takes his turn at running the Timberwolves, with injuries knocking out Ricky Rubio and now Luke Ridnour. Our Chris Towers touches on that and much more in this week's Start 'Em and Sit 'Em.
04/08/2012 01:11 Griffin, Foye carry Clippers over Kings
Blake Griffin had 27 points and 14 rebounds, Randy Foye scored 25 points while hitting seven 3-pointers, and the surging Los Angeles Clippers moved within a half-game of the Pacific Division lead with a 109-94 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.
04/02/2012 12:34 What's on the Schedule: Week 15
What does Week 15 offer you for a title push? Our Adam Moore has you covered in his latest schedule breakdown.
In 27 games after being traded to the Sacramento Kings from New Orleans, where he had been languishing in a bench role, Marcus Thornton exploded for a 21.3 ppg scoring average. He also averaged 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists, benefitting from 38.1 minutes and 17.5 shot attempts per contest. Much of that had to do with Tyreke Evans being limited due to lingering plantar fasciitis in his left foot, but Thornton made enough of an impact that the Kings will be looking to feature him prominently again in 2011-12. The likelihood that he can equal that level of production over an 82 game season does not seem likely, especially when you add Jimmer Fredette to the backcourt mix and J.J. Hickson as another capable scorer up front. But Thornton will get his fair of touches and significant minutes, which should allow him to remain significantly productive in the areas where he excelled last season -- namely scoring, 3-point shooting and steals. Temper expectations some, but look to select Thornton beginning in Round six or seven. (Updated 8/28/11)
