Sabonis, out due to injury: Kings lose their star due to meniscus tear

Domantas Sabonis Suffers Meniscus Injury, Keeps Kings Off the Court

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis has suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee, the team announced this Thursday. He is expected to be reevaluated in three to four weeks. Sabonis missed Wednesday night’s game against Oklahoma City due to discomfort in his left knee, an injury he suffered during the game against the Spurs last Sunday. After undergoing additional tests, the tear was confirmed, which will force Sabonis to remain off the court at least until the end of December, complicating the Kings’ situation this season.

I am not happy. I feel sorry for him, obviously. We need our star player, but it’s part of what we do and we know it. It’s unfortunate. I love him and I hope he recovers soon.

Doug Christie, Kings coach

Sabonis has had physical problems during the first month of the season, missing the opening game due to a hamstring strain suffered during the preseason. He also missed two games earlier in the month due to a rib problem. Now, he will miss at least the next 10 games due to a meniscus tear.

The ability to play through him is huge because not many big men can make the kind of decisions that Domas makes. The touch on the bounce passes… There are so many different things he brings. We play through Domas.

Doug Christie, Kings coach

The Kings acquired Sabonis in February 2022, in a move that involved the transfer of Tyrese Haliburton, a risky bet for a franchise that sought to accelerate its reconstruction and break a 16-year playoff drought. Sabonis was fundamental in leading the Kings to third place in 2023, forming a stellar duo with De’Aaron Fox in Mike Brown’s first season as coach. Sabonis has been a pillar of durability in Sacramento, playing 79, 82, and 70 games in the last three seasons. However, things haven’t gone well since that single playoff appearance. Brown was fired, Fox was traded, and now Sabonis is the team’s highest-paid player, with three years and $146.8 million remaining on his contract, on one of the league’s most disappointing teams. The Kings (3-13) have lost eight consecutive games by double digits, the most recent being a 137-96 loss to the Grizzlies on Thursday night.