Kings Face Early Setback: Can Domantas Sabonis Bounce Back from Mysterious Hamstring Strain?

Last Wednesday’s preseason game was supposed to be a smooth rehearsal for the Kings’ key starters, but, well, things didn’t exactly go as planned. Doug Christie, aiming to fine-tune his lineup before the regular season, watched as Domantas Sabonis went down with a Grade 1 hamstring strain against the Clippers. That means he’s sidelined for at least the first week, maybe a bit more depending on how the recovery pans out. And just when you think that’s rough—Keegan Murray is out too, recovering from thumb surgery and expected to miss a month. Sabonis isn’t just any player; he’s a three-time All-Star pulling down nearly 14 boards a game and scoring over 19. Filling that void won’t be easy, as Dario Saric steps in to start, but replacing Sabonis’s impact on offense and defense is a tall order. For a Western Conference team like Sacramento, known to have little wiggle room, this rocky start could set the tone for a demanding season ahead. The Kings’ journey begins on October 22 at Phoenix, then a quick turn home to face the Jazz and Lakers. Buckle up—it’s going to be a test right out of the gate. LEARN MORE

Sacramento coach Doug Christie wanted to get some run together for his core starters last Wednesday night in one of the team’s final preseason games, but that always comes with risk, and it has bitten the Kings.

Domantas Sabonis suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain against the Clippers and will be out for at least the first week of the season, the Kings announced. A Grade 1 strain usually keeps a player out about 10 days, but that time can vary.

Sabonis is not the only Kings’ starter out. Keegan Murray underwent surgery on a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, which will keep him out for at least a month.

Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, averaged 19.1 points and 13.9 rebounds a game, shooting 41.7% on a couple of 3-pointers a game but 62.7% inside the arc. Dario Saric will get the start with Sabonis out, but that’s a lot of scoring and rebounding to make up (plus, Sabonis serves as a hub for the Sacramento offense).

It’s a rough way to start for the Kings, a team without much margin for error in the West if the goal is to make the postseason. The Kings open the season at the Suns on Oct. 22, then come home for two games over the weekend against the Jazz and Lakers.