News Summary
The Sacramento Kings will begin the season without All-Star center Domantas Sabonis due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain. This injury, confirmed via MRI after a preseason game, means Sabonis will miss the upcoming season opener against the Phoenix Suns and the home opener against the Utah Jazz. The team faces additional challenges with rookie Keegan Murray also sidelined for at least a month. As the Kings aim for a successful season, they must adapt their strategies and find new contributors in the absence of key players.
Sacramento – The Sacramento Kings will be without their All-Star center, Domantas Sabonis, to start the season due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The injury was confirmed through an MRI after a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 15. Sabonis will be re-evaluated in one week, which means he will miss the season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and the home opener against the Utah Jazz on Friday. The earliest Sabonis could potentially return is for a home game on October 26 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
While a Grade 1 strain is classified as a minor injury, it still poses a significant challenge for the Kings as they aim to improve their standing this season. Sabonis, who played in the preseason finale against the Lakers, previously averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and six assists per game last season. He leads the NBA in rebounding for the past three seasons, consistently scoring at least 19 points per game throughout his career.
In addition to Sabonis, the Kings will also be missing rookie power forward Keegan Murray, who is out for at least a month due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb. The absence of both players has forced the team to explore various roster adjustments, testing replacements like second-year center Isaac Jones, along with veterans Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks. Coach Doug Christie opted to start Eubanks in the preseason finale, where he contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Kings’ challenges extend beyond just Sabonis and Murray. Other players, including Malik Monk affected by an illness and DeMar DeRozan dealing with a groin injury, were also ruled out for the preseason finale. As the Kings try to make a comeback to the playoffs after missing the postseason in four of the last five years, the team is feeling the effects of these injuries heavily.
The absence of Sabonis not only places pressure on the team to adjust their strategies but also emphasizes the need for other players to step up in his absence. The Kings, in their quest to strengthen their lineup, have also recently signed Russell Westbrook, a former Kia MVP, who is set to begin his 18th NBA season with the team. Each of these elements plays into the Kings’ hope for a successful season amidst these growing challenges.
Overall, the Kings face a tough start to the season as they grapple with key injuries to their roster. The focus will be on their ability to adapt and find success early in the season, even without their star center at full capacity.
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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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