A royal change in SacTown

I was just checking out the boxscore from the Jazz’s 104-99 loss to Sacramento earlier this season, and, boy, what a difference a few months make.

A completely different Kings team will face Utah at Arco Arena on Friday night than did way back on Nov. 7. Here are some of the changes Jazz fans will notice regarding Sacramento:

- Rookie Omri Casspi is now a starter and a regular contributor. He had a DNP-CD in his team’s upset win.
- Carl Landry now dons a purple uniform instead of the Rockets’ red.
- So, too, does Joey Dorsey, who was part of the trade that sent Kevin Martin to Houston. Martin, by the way, didn’t play in Sacramento’s win over Utah, but had a big game against the Jazz in a loss.
- Big man Jason Thompson is out for two weeks with a back injury.
- Swingman Donte Greene is now starting.
- Francisco Garcia has returned after being out with a broken arm.
- Dominic McGuire is now with the Kings, having been traded from Washington.
- Larry Hughes almost made this list after being traded from New York, but the injured guard (broken finger) has since been waived.
- None of them flop like Vlade Divac.

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According to the Sacramento Bee, X-rays revealed that Thompson fractured his lower back in two places after landing hard while pulling down a rebound Tuesday against Detroit.

After the injury, Thompson hit two free throws and continued to play. He will be sidelined for about two weeks to allow the non-displaced fractures to heal.

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The Bee also reported that coach Paul Westphal has not revealed whether he’ll allow usual starting center Spencer Hawes play tonight. Hawes was put on the inactive list for Tuesday’s loss, according to the paper, “after venting to The Bee about Westphal’s fluid lineups and substitutions.”

Hawes was seen practicing with the Kings’ starters Thursday, for what that’s worth.