Lakers Face Russell’s Kings Tonight

The Lakers, who triggered a coaching change when they ran up a 29-0 lead on the Sacramento Kings in a game last February, will get their first look at the Kings under Coach Bill Russell tonight in the Arco Arena here.

James Worthy, who missed last Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets, may be watching this one as well. Worthy, who has tendinitis in his left knee, had the knee X-rayed Monday. The X-rays were negative, but his availability will be determined from day to day.

With a 4-7 record, the Kings have started slowly under Russell, but they have a new point guard in rookie Kenny Smith from North Carolina and a new center in Jawann Oldham, obtained from the New York Knicks. Leading scorer Reggie Theus has shifted to the off-guard spot, and Otis Thorpe continues to be one of the league’s better power forwards. Thorpe had 27 points and 12 rebounds in the Kings’ overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday.