Sacramento, October 19, 2025
News Summary
Sacramento Kings’ All-Star center, Domantas Sabonis, is sidelined due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain diagnosed after a preseason game. His absence will affect the start of the NBA season, missing significant opener matchups. The Kings face additional injury challenges with other key players, impacting their lineup as they aim to improve playoff chances. Recovery plans are in place, and Sabonis will be re-evaluated after a week, but his role as a vital contributor remains crucial for team performance this season.
Sacramento – Domantas Sabonis, the All-Star center for the Sacramento Kings, has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, confirmed through an MRI following a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 15. This injury will sideline Sabonis for the start of the NBA season, meaning he will miss the highly anticipated season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and the home opener against the Utah Jazz on Friday.
Sabonis’s recovery is expected to be monitored closely, with a re-evaluation planned for one week after the injury. This timeline suggests that the earliest he could make a return would be for a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 26. Although a Grade 1 strain is classified as minor, its occurrence at the beginning of the season has significant implications for the Kings as they strive to improve their playoff prospects.
Notably, Sabonis also missed the preseason finale against the Lakers due to this injury. In addition to Sabonis’s absence, the Kings are also dealing with injuries to other key players. Keegan Murray, a power forward, is set to miss at least a month recovering from a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb. Meanwhile, Malik Monk has been ruled out due to illness, and DeMar DeRozan is nursing a groin injury.
In light of these injuries, the Kings have been testing out various replacements for Sabonis and Murray. The team has turned to second-year center Isaac Jones and veterans Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks to help fill the gaps left by their injured stars. During the preseason finale, Eubanks was given the starting nod in place of Sabonis, contributing 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists to the effort.
Domantas Sabonis has proven to be a vital asset for the Kings, averaging 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and six assists per game in the previous season. He has led the NBA in rebounding for the last three seasons and has scored at least 19 points per game during each of those years. The Kings are hoping that his eventual return, combined with the ongoing contributions from the rest of the lineup, will help end the team’s playoff drought, having missed out on the postseason in four of their last five seasons.
As the Kings prepare for the season, they are faced with not only the challenge of finding successful replacements for their injured players but also the pressure of exceeding past performance in hopes of contending for a playoff spot this year. The team’s management and coaching staff remain committed to developing the roster, ensuring that the Kings remain competitive despite these early challenges.
FAQ
What is the status of Domantas Sabonis’s injury?
Domantas Sabonis has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and is expected to miss at least the first two games of the season. He will be re-evaluated in one week, and the earliest he could return is for a game on October 26 against the Lakers.
Which other players are injured for the Kings?
Along with Sabonis, Keegan Murray is expected to miss at least a month due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Malik Monk is out with an illness, and DeMar DeRozan is dealing with a groin injury.
Who will replace Sabonis during his absence?
The Kings have been testing various players in the center position, including second-year player Isaac Jones and veterans Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks. Eubanks started in place of Sabonis during the preseason finale.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Domantas Sabonis |
| Injury Type | Grade 1 hamstring strain |
| Initial Diagnosis Date | October 15, 2023 |
| Teams Affected | Sacramento Kings |
| Expected Return Date | October 26, 2023 |
| Other Injuries | Keegan Murray (UCL tear), Malik Monk (illness), DeMar DeRozan (groin) |
| Preseason Finale Performance (Eubanks) | 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists |
| Average Points Last Season | 19.1 points |
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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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