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