Sacramento Kings fans rocked the arena earlier this month as Isaiah Thomas swooped beneath the basket and shoved the ball to towering center DeMarcus Cousins for a decisive dunk.

Up on Row J of Section 114, a trio of smartly dressed men watched the play closely. Like overprotective new parents, the three sat poised, hyper-attentive, alert for any sign of a troubling scenario that would spur them to action: injured joints, hurt players.

No ordinary spectators, the teams three sports medicine doctors from Kaiser Permanente are part of an plan to spread the synergy of the two organizations to the community, said Kings President Chris Granger, resulting in more health and fitness initiatives for the Sacramento area. Kaisers progressive ideas, which include nutrition and several other healthy lifestyle choices, are consistent with our owners vision not only for our athletes, but for our entire organization, said Granger. So its a really good fit.

During any given home game, however, such lofty perspectives are less the focus of the physicians than whats unfolding below them in Sleep Train Arena.

We really have to watch the game carefully from a different viewpoint, said Dr. Jason Brayley. We get excited when theres great plays, but were also watching to see if a player gets hurt. Then if we do need to take a role in their care, weve seen the entire process leading up the the injury.

You can never predict whats going to happen, said Dr. Jason Zemanovic, 41, another sports medicine team member and an expert in arthroscopy, the surgical practice of using small incisions and a fiber-optic cameras in repairing joints. We see all spectrums.

Brayley, 39, is Kaiser Permanentes chief of sports medicine and heads up the Kings/Kaiser team. The physical demands on players are tremendous, he said, with 82 regular season games and countless practices and workouts. Keeping them going, getting them to their goal of professionally playing basketball, thats the most fulfilling part of the job, Brayley said.

As for injuries and ailments, the two Jasons, as they are sometimes called, have seen ankle injuries, knee injuries, lacerations, head colds and rashes so far this season, Zemanovic said. Specifically: Right knee stiffness (star forward Rudy Gay on Dec. 17); sprained right ankle (Cousins on Dec. 3); and, most notably, a torn left hip flexor thats sidelined a player (forward Carl Landry in preseason on Oct. 14).

Most of the critical body parts stretched, strained and overworked by Kings players are covered by the three doctors. Brayleys on concussions and primary care. Zemanovics on shoulders, knees and elbows; and Dr. Marty Reed, the third member of the trio, has shoulders, hips and knees covered. According to statistical analyses, in the NBA, foot and hand injuries rank as the biggest hazards.

The sports medicine teams work begins with NBA-mandated preseason evaluations general medical exams, orthopedic exams, baseline screenings and cardiology work-ups.

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Kings’ sports medicine team watches closely over players