‘Here to serve’
» Dieng has started 205 games but will do what team needs.
Gorgui Dieng has started 205 games in his eight NBA seasons, but he’ll be content if he doesn’t add to that total while playing for the Spurs.
“I don’t have an issue,” the 6-foot-10 center/forward said. “I am a role player and, in fact, I always say I am here to serve the team. Whatever way the coach wants to use me to help the basketball team, I am willing to do.”
Dieng, acquired in the buyout market, could make his debut as Jakob Poeltl’s backup against Sacramento on Wednesday night at the AT&T Center.
Dieng’s last game was Feb. 28 with Memphis, so it was no surprise he was inactive for the 132-115 loss to the Kings on Monday after signing with the Spurs earlier in the day.
But the Spurs did not list him on the injury report they released Tuesday, meaning he likely will be available Wednesday.
Dieng’s willingness to embrace his role stands in sharp contrast to seven-time All-star Lamarcus Aldridge, who didn’t want to come off the bench for the Spurs, who are fighting to make the playoffs.
Unable to find a trade for Aldridge, the Spurs bought out his contract last week. He signed Sunday with Brooklyn, where he will come off the bench for a title contender.
Walker could return from wrist ailment
Wednesday’s game also could mark the return of Spurs swingman Lonnie Walker IV, who was uprgraded to probable after missing the last four games with a sore right wrist.
The Spurs were 1-3 without Walker, who is averaging 11.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists, all career highs.
Reserve forwards Trey Lyles (right ankle sprain) and Keita Bates-diop (right hamstring strain) are out. It will be the 10th game in a row Bates-diop has missed.
Murray covets wins, not his ‘numbers’
Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray finished with 23 points on Monday, but he tallied just two after halftime on four attempts.
Asked afterward why he tailed off so drastically after the break, Murray said there weren’t any “numbers” called for him.
Murray’s 21 points were a career-high for a half. He finished the game six points shy of matching his career high set Dec. 30 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Having zero points or a career high or whatever — it is what it is,” he said. “At the end of the day, I just want to win.”
Kings’ newcomers make presence felt
If there was an X-factor Monday, it was the play off the bench of Kings newcomers Terence Davis, Moe Harkless and Delon Wright, all three acquired in trades.
Davis and Harkless scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, with Davis pumping in nine in the fourth quarter. Wright finished with just two points, but he contributed in other ways with five assists and four rebounds.
Former Spur Chimezie Metu also helped out off the bench, scoring five points and grabbing two rebounds in 13 minutes.
Murray said he wasn’t surprised those role players all had an impact and stressed the need for the Spurs to respect every player on an opposing roster.
“You are in the NBA for a reason, so I know the last guy that subbed in for the last 30 seconds of the ball game,” he said. “And that’s your job to know that. You got to be ready, you got to know who these players are because they are in the NBA for a reason. I watch basketball and I study players. I knew every single guy on that roster.”
FSSW changing name to Bally Sports SW
Fox Sports Southwest, the network that broadcasts the Spurs on television, will be rebranded as Bally Sports Southwest starting Wednesday.
Sinclair Broadcast Group purchased all 19 regional networks previously owned by Fox Sports in August 2019 and recently agreed to a partnership with the casino corporation. The channels will remain the same in TV guides.