Kings Center Domantas Sabonis Out Indefinitely with Hamstring Injury

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sacramento Kings star center Domantas Sabonis will be out indefinitely after suffering a grade 1 left hamstring strain during a game against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night. The Kings announced on Sunday that Sabonis will be reevaluated in one week.

Sabonis sustained the injury just over a minute into the game. As he was running down the court, he suddenly pulled up and grabbed his left hamstring, prompting Kings interim coach Doug Christie to call a timeout. Sabonis did not return to the game following an evaluation in the locker room.

This season, Sabonis has been a standout performer, averaging 19.5 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in 56 games, leading the NBA in rebounds. His presence on the court greatly contributes to the Kings’ performance, with a net rating of +4.0 when he plays, compared to -3.7 when he is off the court.

The Kings, currently 31-28 and vying for playoff positioning in the tightly contested Western Conference, face a challenging road ahead without their star player. They sit a half-game behind the No. 6 seed and have one of the most difficult remaining schedules. Sacramento has already signed center Skal Labissiere to a 10-day contract from their Stockton NBA G League affiliate to help fill the void left by Sabonis.

Labissiere, who previously played for the Kings after being drafted 28th overall in 2016, has averaged 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in the G League this season. The Kings will lean on both Labissiere and newly acquired center Jonas Valančiūnas, who provided a strong performance in Sabonis’ absence with 15 points, 14 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks in the recent game.

Upcoming matchups include games against the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs. As the Kings navigate this critical stretch of the season, they will look to keep their playoff hopes alive while waiting for the return of their key player.