News Summary
Sacramento Kings’ All-Star center Domantas Sabonis has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, sidelining him for the start of the NBA season. He underwent an MRI after a preseason game against the Clippers, ruling him out for the Kings’ opener against the Suns and their home opener versus the Jazz. The team is also facing injuries to other key players, adding to their challenges as they prepare for a competitive season. Coach Doug Christie is looking for replacements as they navigate these setbacks.
Sacramento Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis Out with Hamstring Strain
Sacramento, CA – Domantas Sabonis, the Sacramento Kings’ All-Star center, has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which will prevent him from starting the upcoming NBA season. The injury was confirmed through an MRI conducted after a preseason game on October 15 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sabonis will be re-evaluated in one week, meaning he will miss the Kings’ season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, as well as their home opener against the Utah Jazz on Friday. Currently, the earliest he could return to the court is on October 26 for a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite being classified as a minor strain, this injury poses a significant challenge for the Kings as they look to kick off their season on a high note. The All-Star center did not participate in the preseason finale against the Lakers due to the injury.
Impact on Team and Other Injuries
In addition to Sabonis, the Kings are also dealing with injuries to other key players. Keegan Murray, a power forward for the team, is expected to be sidelined for at least a month due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb. This further complicates the Kings’ plans as they prepare for the regular season.
The Kings have been actively testing potential replacements for both Sabonis and Murray. Among the players considered are second-year center Isaac Jones, as well as veterans Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks. Coach Doug Christie opted to start Eubanks in Sabonis’ absence during the preseason finale, where he ended the game with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The absence of Sabonis is particularly concerning given his impressive performance in the previous season, where he averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and six assists per game. Sabonis has led the NBA in rebounding for the past three seasons and scored at least 19 points per game during that timeframe.
Challenges Ahead for the Kings
Along with the injuries to Sabonis and Murray, the Kings have faced additional challenges as other players such as Malik Monk (illness) and DeMar DeRozan (groin) were ruled out for the preseason finale as well. This string of injuries has heightened the obstacle the Kings must navigate as they attempt to return to the playoffs, a feat they have been unable to achieve in four of the last five seasons.
In a move to bolster their roster, the Kings recently signed former Kia MVP Russell Westbrook, who will be entering his 18th NBA season. His addition adds some depth and experience to the team as they face a series of hurdles right at the start of the season.
As the Kings brace for the start of the regular season, the focus will be on managing the health of its key players and finding ways to remain competitive despite the setbacks they have already encountered.
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Additional Resources
- NBA.com
- Sacramento Bee
- ESPN
- USA Today
- The Star
- Wikipedia: Domantas Sabonis
- Google Search: Domantas Sabonis
- Google Scholar: Domantas Sabonis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Domantas Sabonis
- Google News: Domantas Sabonis injury
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The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
