The Sacramento Kings can't seem to catch a break on or off the court to start this season.
Star forward Domantas Sabonis has suffered a partially torn meniscus and will be sidelined at least three to four weeks before being re-evaluated, the team announced on Thursday.
Sabonis, a three-time all-star, had been averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds (fourth in the NBA), 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game through 11 appearances.
"Not happy. Feel for him obviously," Kings coach Doug Christie said before the game. "We need the big fellow, but it's the nature of what we do, and we know that when we sign up. It's unfortunate. Love him and hope he gets well soon."
While still averaging a double-double, the 29-year-old's production is down across the board. Sabonis' scoring and assist numbers are the lowest they've been since his third season in the NBA, while it's his lowest rebounding average since the 2022-23 season.
The two-time All-NBAer and three-time rebounding champ hasn't been able to lift a Kings team that's struggling in multiple facets — ranked 25th on offence and 27th on defence — while stumbling to a 3-12 start, second-worst in the Western Conference.
“The ability to play through him is huge because not a lot of bigs can make the type of decisions that Domas makes,” Christie said. “The touch of the bounce passes. ... There's just so many different things that he brings. We play through Domas.”
Sabonis last played on Sunday in a double-digit defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, part of seven consecutive losses for Sacramento, logging 17 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals in 36 minutes.
The Sabonis-less Kings will return to action on Thursday as they visit the Memphis Grizzlies.
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