SACRAMENTO (AP) - Sacramento Kings leading scorer Marcus Thornton is expected to be sidelined one to two weeks with a deep bruise in his left thigh.

The Kings announced before Wednesday night's home game against Denver that an MRI exam on Thornton revealed a "significant hematoma" in his thigh. Thornton already has missed four games because of the injury.

Rookie guard Jimmer Fredette is expected to see his minutes increase in Thornton's absence.

Thornton is leading Sacramento with 16.2 points to go with 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He signed a four-year deal worth at least $31 million before the season.

The Kings (6-12) lost 110-83 at Denver (12-5) on Jan. 4 in what was Paul Westphal's last game as head coach before being fired.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.)