Imagine your team’s star player going down just days before the season opener—it’s every fan’s worst nightmare. That’s exactly what happened to the Sacramento Kings when Domantas Sabonis, their three-time All-Star center, left the court with a right hamstring injury during a 109-91 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. And this is the part most people miss: Sabonis’ injury isn’t just a setback—it’s a potential season-altering blow for a team already reeling from Keegan Murray’s extended absence due to thumb surgery. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can the Kings survive without their offensive linchpin, or will this injury expose deeper vulnerabilities in their roster? Let’s dive in.
With 5:40 remaining in the third quarter, Sabonis exited the game and did not return. The Kings later confirmed he was ruled out due to the hamstring issue, leaving fans and coaches alike holding their breath. Head coach Doug Christie offered little reassurance postgame, stating, ‘I’m sure we’ll be updated, but no update as of now.’ Sabonis had been dominating until then, tallying 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting, 14 rebounds, and five assists in just 24 minutes—a reminder of why he’s irreplaceable in Sacramento’s lineup.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The Kings face the Los Angeles Lakers in their preseason finale on Friday at Crypto.com Arena, followed by their season opener against the Phoenix Suns just five days later. An extended absence for Sabonis would compound their woes, as Murray’s four-to-six-week recovery timeline already has the team scrambling. Christie summed it up bluntly: ‘Your star player goes down, you never want to see that, period.’
Here’s the bold truth: Sabonis isn’t just another player—he’s the engine of Sacramento’s offense. Last season, he averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while shooting a career-best 41.7% from three-point range. Without him, the Kings’ playoff aspirations could hang in the balance. Guard Zach LaVine echoed the sentiment during his postgame presser, admitting, ‘I don’t know the severity, but obviously, I hope he’s OK. You don’t want to see that.’
As the Kings await updates, fans are left wondering: How will the team adapt if Sabonis is sidelined? And more importantly, can they weather this storm without their cornerstone? Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but this one feels different. It’s not just about losing a player—it’s about losing the heart of the team. What do you think? Is this injury the beginning of a rocky season for the Kings, or can they rally in Sabonis’ absence? Let’s hear your take in the comments.
