Wolves gameday

7 P.M. VS. Sacramento • Target Center • FSN, 830-AM

Preview: An ultrasound on Wolves guard Kevin Martin's shooting wrist Thursday confirmed last week's X-ray that showed it's bruised. He did not play in Wednesday's 107-102 loss at New York and is listed as questionable for Friday's game. … Who made this schedule up for the Wolves? They played Wednesday at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, flew home immediately afterward for Friday's game against the Kings, then headed straight back to New York for Sunday's afternoon game at Brooklyn. Answer: The NBA, of course. … The Kings start a four-game, pre-Christmas trip Friday fresh off a three-game home winning streak in which they beat Utah, New York and Houston. … The Wolves won the season's first meeting, 101-91 in Sacramento the day after Thanksgiving. Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins did not play in that game because of a strained lower back. … Expect Wolves rookie Tyus Jones to be recalled from Idaho in the D-League after he plays the final two of six games while he has been assigned there.

Players to watch: The Kings are 1-7 when Cousins doesn't play — and he's missed games this season because of an Achilles' strain, a one-game NBA suspension and that lower-back strain — and 9-8 when he does. In his career, the Kings are 12-41 when he doesn't play. He is averaging 25.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 33 minutes while starting 17 games so far. … Kings point guard Rajon Rondo leads the league in triple-doubles with four this season and in assists with 11 per game. … Fresh off his 25-point, 10-rebound double-double back home in New York City, Wolves rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns will receive his Western Conference Rookie of the Month award for November before Friday's opening tip.

Injuries: Martin is questionable and C Nikola Pekovic (April surgery on Achilles' tendon) remains out. Kings big men Willie Cauley-Stein (finger dislocation) and Eric Moreland (broken bone in foot) are out.

JERRY ZGODA