Domantas Sabonis
The Sacramento Kings continue to search for footing in a season that keeps slipping further away. After falling to 6-21 and dropping the opening game of a home-and-home against the Portland Trail Blazers despite a furious late rally, the franchise received more discouraging news about its most important frontcourt piece. The Sacramento Kings confirmed Friday that Domantas Sabonis will miss an additional four to five weeks as he continues recovering from a partially torn meniscus in his left knee.
Sabonis originally carried a shorter timetable, but the team now plans to re-evaluate him in the new year based on how rehab progresses, Yahoo reports.
The announcement lands hard for a Kings roster already trending in the wrong direction. Sacramento stood at 3-12 when Sabonis first went down. Since then, the wins have not followed, and the overall picture has grown murkier with each loss.
Kings’ Timeline Shifts as Losses Mount
Sacramento’s struggles have intensified without Sabonis anchoring the interior. The team has dropped games in multiple ways, including its latest overtime loss that came down to free throws after an improbable fourth-quarter surge. That pattern has only reinforced concerns about direction as the trade deadline approaches.
With the Kings sitting well outside the playoff picture, league-wide attention has shifted toward whether Sacramento could become a seller. Big names such as Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan naturally surface in that conversation, even as the organization continues to evaluate its next steps.
Sabonis’ situation complicates those discussions. The 29-year-old still carries significant league value, but the knee injury clouds his short-term availability. Any potential suitor would need patience, and his contract adds another layer, with $42.3 million owed this season and roughly $94 million remaining over the following two years.
Health has also become a recurring theme early in this campaign. Sabonis missed the season opener due to a preseason hamstring issue, sat out games with a rib injury, and now faces his longest absence yet. That sequence contrasts sharply with his recent durability, having played 79, 82, and 70 games across the previous three seasons.
Sacramento Kings say Domantas Sabonis will be re-evaluated in 4-5 weeks as he continues to progress through his rehabilitation for a partial meniscus tear in his left knee. pic.twitter.com/avLLVqG44v
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) December 20, 2025
Opportunity Opens for Kings’ Young Pieces
On the court, Sabonis’ absence has shifted roles and minutes, particularly for rookie Maxime Raynaud. The second-round pick has averaged 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds over his last eight outings, per ESPN. Those performances have offered a rare bright spot during a difficult stretch.
Before the injury, Sabonis averaged 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 11 games, while shooting 51 percent from the field. His three-point percentage has dipped significantly, but his playmaking and rebounding remain central to how Sacramento wants to operate offensively.
For now, patience appears unavoidable. Sabonis has consistently expressed comfort in Sacramento and interest in staying long term, per Sports Illustrated. Given the standings and the team’s recent messaging about prioritizing development, a cautious rehab approach makes sense. Still, the Kings would welcome a chance to see their young contributors share the floor with their All-NBA big man once again, assuming he remains part of the long-term plan.