The Sacramento Kings received a significant blow to their playoff aspirations today as the team announced that star center Domantas Sabonis will be sidelined for at least 10 days due to a moderate right ankle sprain.
The injury occurred during the third quarter of Monday’s hard-fought 132-122 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
This latest setback for Sabonis comes at a critical juncture in the season, as the Kings are battling to secure a spot in the SoFi Play-In Tournament.
The NBA’s rebounding leader (13.9 rpg) had only recently returned to the lineup after missing six games in March due to a left hamstring strain.
The game against the Grizzlies was particularly eventful for Sabonis. In addition to the ankle injury, he also suffered a cut over his left eye.
The injury occurred when he was inadvertently struck in the face by the back of Luke Kennard’s head, leaving a visible trickle of blood as he continued to play until the ankle injury forced him to leave the game.
“It’s tough to see Domantas go down again so soon after returning,” said Kings Head Coach Mike Brown in a statement released by the team. “He’s a vital part of our team, and his absence will be felt. However, we have confidence in the rest of the guys to step up and compete.”
Sabonis’ previous hamstring injury occurred on March 1st against the Houston Rockets and kept him out of five games.
His consistent presence on the court is crucial for the Kings, who currently hold a 34-33 record. They are clinging to the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, holding a two-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks (33-36) and a three-game advantage over the Phoenix Suns (32-37).
The timing of Sabonis’ injury is particularly unfortunate as the Kings are about to embark on a six-game homestand, a crucial stretch where they will look to solidify their playoff positioning. Following this home stretch, their schedule becomes more challenging, with six of their final nine regular-season games on the road.
The Kings will need other players to elevate their game in Sabonis’ absence. The team has shown flashes of resilience throughout the season, and this will be another test of their depth and determination.
