Sacramento, CA, October 19, 2025
News Summary
Sacramento Kings All-Star center Domantas Sabonis faces a setback as he is diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The injury will keep him out for the season opener against the Phoenix Suns and the home opener against the Utah Jazz. He is set to be re-evaluated in a week, with a possible return for the game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Additionally, the Kings are dealing with further challenges as Keegan Murray is out for at least a month due to a torn thumb ligament, affecting the team’s playoff ambitions.
Sacramento, CA – Sacramento Kings All-Star center Domantas Sabonis has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, an injury confirmed by an MRI following the team’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 15. As a result, Sabonis will be sidelined for at least the season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and the home opener against the Utah Jazz on Friday. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated in one week, with the earliest return projected for the home game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 26.
Despite being categorized as a minor strain, Sabonis’s injury poses significant challenges for the Kings as they prepare for the start of the season. He also missed the preseason finale against the Lakers due to this injury. Additionally, the team faces further setbacks as forward Keegan Murray has been ruled out for at least a month due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb.
In light of these injuries, Sacramento has been testing possible replacements to fill the gaps left by Sabonis and Murray. Second-year center Isaac Jones, along with seasoned veterans Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks, have been evaluated as potential substitutes during practices and preseason games. In the preseason finale against the Lakers, Eubanks started in place of Sabonis and contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Last season, Sabonis had an impressive performance, averaging 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and six assists per game. He showcased exceptional talent by leading the NBA in rebounds for three consecutive seasons and has maintained a scoring average of at least 19 points per game during that time.
Injuries have impacted the Kings beyond just Sabonis and Murray. Other players, such as Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan, were also absent during the preseason finale due to illness and groin issues, respectively. The Kings, who are striving to make a return to the playoffs after missing out on four of the last five seasons, are feeling the weight of these injuries as they look to build team chemistry and strength heading into the competitive NBA season.
In a strategic move to bolster the roster, former Kia MVP Russell Westbrook has signed with the Kings, marking the beginning of his 18th NBA season. Westbrook’s experience and skills may prove vital for the Kings as they navigate through these early challenges and aim for improved performance this season.
Injury Impact Summary
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Domantas Sabonis | Grade 1 Hamstring Strain | Out for season opener, re-evaluation in one week |
| Keegan Murray | Torn UCL in left thumb | Out for at least a month |
| Malik Monk | Illness | Out for preseason finale |
| DeMar DeRozan | Groin Issue | Out for preseason finale |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest on Domantas Sabonis’s injury?
Domantas Sabonis is diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and is expected to miss the season opener and home opener, with re-evaluation in one week.
When could Sabonis possibly return to the game?
The earliest Sabonis could return is for the home game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 26.
How will the Kings cope with the loss of Sabonis and Murray?
The Kings are exploring various lineup adjustments and have been testing replacements such as Isaac Jones, Dario Saric, and Drew Eubanks during practices.
Who else is injured on the Kings roster?
Other players missing the preseason finale include Malik Monk due to illness and DeMar DeRozan due to a groin issue.
What are the Kings’ expectations for the season?
Despite these injury challenges, the Kings aim to return to the playoffs after missing them in four of the last five seasons.
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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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