As 10 NBA teams played on Christmas Day, the Kings took the hardwood at their practice facility. Leading scorer Kevin Martin rejoined the team for part of practice, which is a positive step for the injured shooting guard.
Throughout his recovery from a sore left ankle, Martin has not had a timetable for his return. The team did not know when he would be game-ready. Martin has been limited to nine games this season because of his ankle.
Stopping the skid -- With the Kings playing their 30th game of the season tonight against Toronto at Arco Arena, they hope to stop a four-game losing streak.
Kings power forward Mikki Moore said he continues to encourage his youthful teammates to look at the season's big picture.
"It's like a game. You can go into halftime down 20 and come back out and play the rest of the second half and end up winning by 20 if you do the right things and work hard," Moore said. "You just have to be positive."
The Raptors stopped a five-game losing streak with a 97-75 win Monday over the Los Angeles Clippers. Moore said the Kings' goal for the rest of the season should be about playing hard.
"It won't always be easy or be like this," Moore said. "You have to keep grinding. That's what we did last year. We played hard every night, even with the injuries, and teams respected us for that. We weren't really that successful, but we were more successful than we are right now."
The Kings had four more wins in 29 games last season.
Virtual home for the holidays -- Kings rookie Jason Thompson spent his first Christmas away from his home in New Jersey. Because of that, he said he was thankful for technology this year.
"With technology, you get to see (family) on the screen and talk to them," Thompson said. "It's too far to go home. It's a rough time right now and it's good to be with your family. I wish I was home, but this is part of the business."
Family loyalties -- Candace Parker may not be rooting for the Kings tonight. With her brother, Anthony Parker, on the Raptors, and her husband, Shelden Williams with the Kings, the WNBA star will have her allegiances tested.
Anthony and Candace Parker became the first brother-sister duo to represent the NBA and WNBA after the Los Angeles Sparks drafted Candace in April.
"It will be like a family reunion," said Williams, who joined Kings teammates and Monarchs players in handing out turkey dinners Tuesday to 200 families.
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