Kings center Domantas Sabonis has been diagnosed with a partially torn meniscus in his left knee and will be sidelined for at least three-to-four weeks, which is when he’ll be reexamined, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports (story via ESPN’s Anthony Slater).
The Kings formally confirmed the news in a press release. According to the team, Sabonis experienced knee soreness after Sunday’s game in San Antonio and subsequently underwent an MRI, which revealed the meniscus tear.
It’s brutal timing for the Kings, who will get starting forward Keegan Murray back on Thursday after he missed the first 15 games of the season following thumb surgery.
As Slater observes, Sabonis has dealt with multiple injuries this fall, having previously missed three games due to hamstring and rib issues. The three-time All-Star was sidelined for Wednesday’s loss in Oklahoma City as well.
The 3-12 Kings are in a tailspin, having lost seven straight games for the first time since 2021/22, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. All seven losses have come by double digits, Slater notes.
Despite another loss on Wednesday, head coach Doug Christie came away encouraged by the Kings’ effort level, according to Anderson.
“The level of compete the guys brought I thought was really, really high level,” Christie said. “That’s what we need to get ourselves out of where we’re at, and if we do that on a night-to-night basis, most nights in the NBA you give yourselves a chance to win. This was the world champs and there were eight, nine minutes left, and they found themselves right there.”
With Sabonis out for at least 10 games, Precious Achiuwa, Drew Eubanks and Maxime Raynaud are among the frontcourt members who could have expanded roles for Sacramento.
This is terrible…. If you ask me playing guys out of position. Ain’t helping.
Get well Domantas ….
Do Kings have a pick this year. Cause it could be time to start thinking about the lottery lols. Tough to build in Sacramento.
Pretty certain they’ve already implemented that plan. LaVine is already getting frustrated by his lack of usage. Sabonis going down I think speeds up the timeline of selling low on the vets.
This team needs to see what Keon/Clifford/Keegan have when not limited by the black holes of LaVine/Demar/Russ. There needs to be a foundation laid.
You don’t like the PG Carter. What’s his story. I liked him at draft. Looked like a solid 2way guy. Already had NBA size
His is a good player but a backup. He can’t really run starter minutes. But he would be a pretty good pickup as a backup point guard.
His athleticism at the 1 is what was more attractive than his size. League’s only getting taller and 6’2 is the new 6’0. His shooting splits are horrendous. I mean it was bad last year but in his small amount minutes it looks so much worse. A combo of not knowing when to shoot and just lack of talent. Not something you love from your PG.
The kid definitely gives effort on the defensive end. I think he can get the better of a lot of small guards with not so deep of a bag. Good length helps him on smaller 3s at times. I just don’t see that being a giant impact even if he can progress offensively. Some pretty nasty turnovers this year too. Again not what you want from your 1.
I think if he were to really take a step forward he MIGHT be a Alvarado kind of guy. Some fun flashes on defense in a very limited role. I’d say as it is right now and with how little play time this roster construction affords him, he has maybe a 7% chance to reach that Alvarado ceiling.
Not great.
He’s been hurt. And hasn’t even developed yet. Not saying he’s the answer. He needs atleast another year. He’s got a big wing span plays bigger than 6’2”. He should be playing mins in G-league. I read the new guys are not helping him. He is the pick of fired gm.
More pieces falling. Injuries piling Up around the league. Wtf is wrong with today’s players? Or their physicians?
The longevity of one’s career is far more profitable than flash in the pan status. 13 years for 300 million beats 7 years for 250 every day of the week.
But the end of the season the NBA is going to be having their G League affiliates play one another with all the NBA players injured out.
Dub Nation still wants to trade for him? Can’t we all just focus on Giannis?
Tank time baby I am ready to lose big for 3 years
Well they have their own pick this year. They need to build around whoever they draft, this current Kings team ain’t it. They just got blown out by Grizz a team with problems.
They won’t ever be good again until vivek stops meddling
He’s going to hoble until they are eliminated from the playoffs and then get surgery. A torn meniscus needs to be fixed. Either removed or repaired with surgery. He will not move well until it gets taken care of and he’s not good enough to make those minutes worth it.