Kings 118, Celtics 96: How do you like them apples?

Isaiah Thomas scored 27 points and DeMarcus Cousins recorded his first career-triple double as Sacramento torched Boston for their largest margin of victory this season.

Marcus Thornton injury: Kings guard carried off the court with sprained ankle

Marcus Thornton turned his ankle badly in third quarter of the Kings' win over the Celtics. He didn't return.

Final Score: Kings Stomp the Celtics, 118 to 96

Six Kings scored in double digits, led by Isaiah Thomas' 27 points, and DeMarcus Cousins recorded his first career triple-double to lead Sacramento past the Celtics.

Kings vs. Celtics: Game thread

Kings! Celtics! Let's go!

Aaron Brooks Also Out Against Celtics

The hits keep on coming.

Aaron Brooks and Tyreke Evans will both miss today's game. #KingsAllDay

— Kevin Sherrets (@KSherrets_Kings) December 31, 2012

No reason as to why yet, although I like to think that he's suffering from a James Johnson game winning three concussion. I know I am.

At the rate the Kings are announcing players that aren't playing tonight and the Celtics are announcing players that are, I fully expect the game to start with nobody on Sacramento available and Bill Russell and Robert Parrish suiting up for Boston.

Doc Rivers: Rajon Rondo is Good to Go for Tonight

Well scratch all that in the previous update about Rondo not playing. According to Boston Head Coach Doc Rivers, Rondo is good to go and will play tonight.

Rajon Rondo will play tonight vs. #nbakings for the Celtics says Doc Rivers during his pregame availability.

— Jonathan Santiago (@itsjonsantiago) December 31, 2012

This obviously creates a lot more problems for the Kings to deal with. Rondo's averaging a league leading 11.7 assists per game, with a ridiculous 51.8% Assist Rate. That means he assists on just slightly over half of all his teammate's field goals while he's on the floor.

Rondo is also an all-world defender and allows Boston to field some depth in the backcourt where before they had none. Rondo will likely start in his return next to Jason Terry, with Courtney Lee coming off the bench.

Isaiah Thomas handled himself pretty well in his last and only matchup to date with Rondo. We'll see how he handles the rematch.

Tyreke Evans Will Not Play Tonight, Will Get Second Opinion

Kings fans had hoped to see Tyreke Evans come back from his knee injury today, as he had told reporters earlier this week that he was targeting Sunday for his return.

Alas, it is not to be.

Coach Smart on Tyreke Evans: "He's a no-go ... he won't play tonight."

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 31, 2012

That confirms what James Ham's sources told him a few hours ago.

In Evans absence, Marcus Thornton will start in the backcourt with Isaiah Thomas. There has been no timetable released by the team or Evans on when he will return to action, although I'm sure we'll hear from someone soon. Evans does have private doctors in Los Angeles that he visited during his sophomore season to help with his Plantar Fasciitis.

UPDATE: James Ham continues to have the inside word on Tyreke, who is indeed visiting doctors for a second opinion:

Tyreke Evans has a second opinion scheduled for Wednesday.Won't play until after that. Friday at best in Toronto.

— James Ham (@James_Ham) December 31, 2012

Boston will be without star point guard Rajon Rondo, who bruised his hip earlier on this road trip and sat out yesterday's match with the Boston Celtics. Jason Terry will take his place in the starting lineup. While Terry is a better scorer than Rondo, he's not nearly the distributor or defender.

Nevermind, Rondo is playing.

Kings vs. Celtics Fan Predictions

Kings vs. Celtics: Do you believe in magic?

The Kings hope to continue their winning ways at home against the Celtics.