Sacramento will be without All-Star center Domantas Sabonis for a minimum of three to four weeks after an MRI showed a partial meniscus tear in his left knee, the team confirmed Thursday.
Kings
Sabonis reported soreness following Sunday’s matchup in San Antonio, prompting the imaging that revealed the injury. The setback arrives just as forward Keegan Murray rejoined the lineup Thursday after missing the season’s first 15 games because of thumb surgery.
The 27-year-old Lithuanian has already battled hamstring and rib problems this fall and sat out Wednesday’s defeat in Oklahoma City. Sacramento entered Thursday at 3-12, riding a seven-game slide—all by double-digit margins. In Sabonis’s absence, coach Mike Brown is expected to lean more heavily on big men Precious Achiuwa, Drew Eubanks and rookie Maxime Raynaud.
Grizzlies
Ty Jerome has not appeared for Memphis this season due to a high-grade right calf strain suffered in the preseason. The seventh-year guard will be re-evaluated Friday, with a clearer timetable anticipated after medical staff review, according to The Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Clippers
Kawhi Leonard took part in portions of practice Wednesday, though he was held out of contact drills. Head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters Leonard is “definitely getting better.”
The two-time Finals MVP has been sidelined since spraining his right ankle and foot on Nov. 3. Los Angeles started 3-3 in games he played but dropped to 1-7 without him heading into Thursday, when he missed his ninth straight contest in Orlando.
Source: Hoops Wire
