Nocioni doubtful for tonight vs. Bulls

By K.C. Johnson

SACRAMENTO --- For Andres Nocioni to miss any game to injury is a torturous experience for the hypercompetitive forward.

For him to miss his first game against his longtime former team in the Bulls would be excruciating. Still, that's how it sounds for Nocioni, who has a right hip pointer after---what else?---diving for a loose ball in the Kings' fourth straight victory last Friday against Houston.

"I'm pushing myself, but I can't do it," Nocioni said. "I'm, like, 60-70 percent. I won't help my team."

Told light-heartedly he's likely sitting out to avoid matching up with close friend Luol Deng, Nocioni laughed.

"It's going to be so hard sitting on the bench," Nocioni said.

Donte Green likely would start for the Kings if Nocioni can't.