Kings’ sabonis to miss rest of season after choosing knee surgery
Domantas Sabonis will not return this season after electing to undergo surgery to repair a torn left meniscus, an update shared on Wednesday (ET) confirmed. The three-time All-Star finishes the year with just 19 games played as the Kings continue to struggle through their worst stretch in franchise history.
Medical decision ends abbreviated season
Sabonis battled the knee issue for weeks while attempting to rehab and suit up for Sacramento. He last appeared on the court in early February and ultimately opted for surgery that will sideline him for the rest of the regular season. The operation is expected to address the meniscal damage and allow for a more definitive recovery window heading into the offseason.
The choice to stop trying to play through the injury follows a stretch in which the team had little competitive upside: Sacramento’s 12-44 record places them at the bottom of the standings. With playoff hopes effectively extinguished, Sabonis and the team elected for long-term health over a short-term return that might not have been effective.
Immediate impact on the Kings and roster considerations
On the court, Sabonis’ absence further weakens a frontcourt that had already been stretched thin by injuries and inconsistent play. The veteran big man has been a central figure in Sacramento’s offense in recent seasons—both as a rebounder and a distributor—and his removal from the lineup creates immediate lineup and rotation gaps that the coaching staff must address for the remainder of the campaign.
Before the deadline, Sabonis was linked to trade chatter, but he ultimately remained with the club. It is impossible to know how a midseason trade would have altered the injury plan; teams acquiring an injured veteran face tough decisions about medical timelines and roster flexibility. For Sacramento, the focus now shifts to giving younger players extended minutes and evaluating how the roster pieces perform without their primary interior presence.
Outlook: recovery, contract and what to expect next
Sabonis’ decision prioritizes a full repair and a clear rehabilitation timetable. He remains under contract through the 2027–28 season, which gives both player and team runway to plan for a return and to consider long-term roster construction around his health and contract status. A successful surgery and rehab could restore the interior production the Kings have missed this year; a setback would complicate offseason planning and roster moves.
For fans and the front office, the takeaway is pragmatic: accept a premature end to the season for one of the team’s cornerstone players and use the remaining games to evaluate depth pieces and young talent. The offseason will now carry extra weight as Sacramento plots a path back to competitiveness while monitoring Sabonis’ recovery timeline and readiness for training camp.
While the immediate news deepens a difficult season for the Kings, the long view centers on a fully healed Sabonis returning to form and helping determine the franchise’s next steps in free agency and roster construction.
