News Summary
The Sacramento Kings will begin their season without star center Domantas Sabonis, who has a Grade 1 hamstring strain. This injury will affect the team’s initial games, including the season opener against the Phoenix Suns. The Kings are testing several players to fill his role while also dealing with other injuries to key players. The absence of Sabonis complicates their quest for a successful season, as they aim to improve their playoff hopes after recent disappointments.
Sacramento Faces Challenges as Sacramento Kings’ Star Player Domantas Sabonis Out with Injury
Sacramento, CA – The Sacramento Kings will begin their upcoming season without All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, who has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The injury was confirmed through an MRI conducted following the team’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 15. The injury will require a period of rest and re-evaluation, and Sabonis is expected to be re-examined in one week.
Impact on Season Opener and Team Lineup
As a result of the injury, Sabonis will miss the season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and the home opener against the Utah Jazz on Friday. The earliest possible return for the center could be the game scheduled for October 26 against the Los Angeles Lakers, assuming positive recovery progress. The injury is classified as minor, but its timing affects the Kings’ initial games of the season.
Sabonis also missed the preseason finale against the Lakers due to this injury, which has disrupted the team’s preparation and lineup options early in the season.
Team Adjustments and Replacement Players
In the absence of Sabonis, the Kings have been testing out several players to fill the void in the frontcourt. These include second-year center Isaac Jones, along with veterans Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks. During the preseason finale when Sabonis was sidelined, coach Doug Christie started Drew Eubanks in his place. Eubanks contributed a solid performance with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Additional Injury Concerns for Kings
The Kings have also been dealing with other injury-related setbacks. Keegan Murray, a key power forward, is expected to be out for at least a month due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb. This injury further challenges the team’s depth heading into the season.
Moreover, other players experienced setbacks during the preseason. Guard Malik Monk was sidelined due to illness, and New York native DeMar DeRozan was also ruled out with a groin injury. These issues have complicated the team’s preparation and chemistry as they aim to improve on their recent performances.
Domantas Sabonis’s Performance and Significance
Sabonis had an impressive recent season, averaging 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and six assists per game. He led the NBA in rebounding for the past three seasons and maintained scoring consistency with at least 19 points per game during that period. His presence on the court is considered vital to the Kings’ strategy and overall success.
Team Outlook and Future Prospects
The loss of Sabonis complicates the Kings’ ambitions as they seek a playoff return after missing the postseason in four of the last five seasons. The team’s depth will be tested early, with coaching staff relying on younger and veteran players to step into key roles during Sabonis’s recovery period.
In addition to injury concerns, the Kings made a notable offseason move by signing former Kia MVP Russell Westbrook, who will be making his 18th NBA season appearance. Westbrook’s experience and leadership are expected to contribute to the team’s efforts as they navigate the season without their star center at the start.
Overall, the team remains optimistic about Sabonis’s recovery and potential return, but the immediate focus continues to be on adjusting the lineup and ensuring the team can remain competitive during his absence.
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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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