Sacramento, October 19, 2025
News Summary
The Sacramento Kings will begin their NBA season without All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, who has a Grade 1 hamstring strain. He will miss the opener against the Phoenix Suns and the home game against the Utah Jazz. Keegan Murray is also sidelined due to a thumb injury, while the Kings test their bench players to fill the gaps. Despite these setbacks, the team aims to strengthen its playoff chances following years of underperformance.
Sacramento – The Sacramento Kings will open their NBA season without All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, who has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. This injury was confirmed following an MRI after a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 15. Sabonis is scheduled to be re-evaluated in one week and will miss the season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday as well as the home opener against the Utah Jazz on Friday. The earliest he could return to the lineup is for a home game on October 26 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
While the Grade 1 strain is classified as minor, it nonetheless presents a setback for the Kings as they aim to improve their playoff chances after missing the postseason in four of the last five years. Sabonis also missed the team’s preseason finale against the Lakers due to the hamstring issue.
In addition to Sabonis’s injury, the Kings are dealing with other personnel challenges. Keegan Murray, a power forward, will be sidelined for at least a month as he recovers from a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb. The Kings have been testing multiple players in place of Sabonis and Murray, including second-year center Isaac Jones as well as veterans Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks. In the absence of Sabonis during the preseason finale, Coach Doug Christie started Eubanks, who contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists in that game.
Domantas Sabonis had an impressive last season, averaging 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and six assists per game. He has led the NBA in rebounding for the past three seasons and has consistently scored at least 19 points per game during that span. With his absence, the Kings will rely even more on their bench to mitigate the impact of losing such a pivotal player.
The Kings are also facing issues with other players, as Malik Monk has been ruled out due to illness, and DeMar DeRozan is sidelined with a groin injury as well. As they navigate these challenges, the Kings hope to solidify their roster and improve their chances for a successful season.
As the team gears up for their season opener, the focus will be on how they adapt without their star center and how their bench players step into more significant roles. The Kings’ management and coaching staff are busy assessing the available talent to ensure they start the season on the right foot despite the injury setbacks.
Key Statistics
- Domantas Sabonis: Averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 6 assists per game last season.
- Injury Report: Sabonis diagnosed with Grade 1 hamstring strain; Keegan Murray out for at least a month with UCL injury.
- Season Schedule: Sabonis will miss opening games against the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz.
Future Implications
As the Kings hope to make a return to playoff contention, addressing the injuries and adjusting to the roster changes will be crucial. The team’s performance in the upcoming games will be watched closely by fans and analysts alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury is Domantas Sabonis facing?
Domantas Sabonis has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.
When is Sabonis expected to return?
Sabonis is set to be re-evaluated in one week, with the earliest possible return for a game against the Lakers on October 26.
Who else is injured on the Kings?
Keegan Murray is out for at least a month due to a torn UCL in his left thumb, and Malik Monk is also sidelined due to illness.
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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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