Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis Out at Least One Week

UPDATE: The Sacramento Kings have just announced that All-Star center Domantas Sabonis will be sidelined for at least a week due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain. This injury will keep him out of the Kings’ first two regular season games, including the highly anticipated season opener against the Phoenix Suns on October 25, 2023, and the home opener versus the Utah Jazz on October 27, 2023.

Sabonis sustained the injury during a preseason loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last Wednesday night, prompting him to miss the preseason finale on Friday as he underwent further testing. While the strain is considered minor, the absence of the Kings’ star player significantly impacts the team’s early season strategy.

Adding to the team’s woes, fourth-year power forward Keegan Murray is also out for at least a month with a torn UCL in his left thumb. The Kings are currently testing second-year center Isaac Jones alongside veterans Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks to fill the gaps left by Sabonis and Murray.

The earliest Sabonis could return is for a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 29, 2023. Fans and analysts are urging the team to adapt quickly without their key players as they head into the season’s opening matches.

As the Kings navigate these challenges, the urgency to perform well in the absence of their stars is mounting, highlighting the need for resilience and tactical adjustments within the roster. Keep an eye on the team’s lineup and performance as they prepare to face off against the Suns—this is a developing story that could shake up the Kings’ season right from the start.