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.