Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis has a torn meniscus in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday.
The injury kept Sabonis out of Wednesday night’s double-digit loss in Oklahoma City, initially listed by the team as left knee soreness. Subsequent tests confirmed the tear, ruling him out until at least mid-December and deepening the struggles of a Kings squad that has opened the season 3-12.
Sabonis, 29, has battled multiple ailments since training camp. A preseason hamstring strain caused him to miss the opener, and a rib issue sidelined him for two games earlier in November. The latest setback is expected to keep him out of at least the next 10 contests.
Sacramento acquired the three-time All-Star from the Indiana Pacers in February 2022 in a trade that sent guard Tyrese Haliburton the other way, hoping to accelerate a lengthy rebuild and end what was then a 16-year playoff drought. Sabonis helped deliver a breakthrough the following season, partnering with guard De’Aaron Fox to secure the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed in 2023.
Durability had been a hallmark of Sabonis’ Kings tenure, with appearances in 79, 82 and 70 games over the past three campaigns. The franchise, however, has unraveled since that lone postseason trip. Head coach Mike Brown was dismissed, Fox was traded, and Sabonis now remains the highest-paid player on the roster with three years and $146.8 million left on his contract.
The Kings have dropped seven consecutive games by double figures.
Source: ESPN
