Schroder is healthy scratch for Hawks at Kings

Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, left, passes the ball as Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder, right, defends in the second half during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Credit: Rick Bowmer

Credit: Rick Bowmer

Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, left, passes the ball as Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder, right, defends in the second half during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The Hawks said leading scorer Dennis Schroder will be a healthy scratch for their game tonight against the Kings. It’s the first time this season Schroder won’t play when not listed with an injury.

The Hawks and Kings are among several teams in the running to finish with the NBA's worst record and thus the best odds to win the top pick in the draft lottery. The Kings have been playing young players ahead of veterans over the past several weeks. They announced earlier Thursday that leading scorer Zach Randolph (stomach flu) is out against the Hawks.

Last month NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a warning to the Bulls for resting healthy veteran players for several games. Silver also fined Mavericks owner Mark Cuban $600,000 after he said in an interview that “losing is our best option” because it improves his team’s odds in the draft lottery.

Schroder has started 66 games this season with team-leading averages of 19.5 points and 6.2 assists per game. He scored a career-high 41 points in the victory at Utah on Tuesday.

The Hawks also are without starters Kent Bazemore (knee) and John Collins (ankle) for the game.

Isaiah Taylor likely will take over for Schroder as the starting point guard with Josh Magette as the backup.