Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie on Jan. 18, 2026, talks about the experience of being head coach. By HECTOR AMEZCUA
De’Andre Hunter hasn’t been with the Sacramento Kings long, but he is fitting right in when it comes to the injuries that have plagued the team this season.
Hunter missed a chance to face his former team because of an eye injury when the Kings played host to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, and he will miss Monday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
The Kings (12-42) are listing Domantas Sabonis (lower back inflammation) and Doug McDermott (right shoulder soreness) as questionable for Monday’s game. Zach LaVine (right pinkie soreness), Malik Monk (illness) and Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain) have been ruled out.
The Pelicans (14-40) are healthy with the exception of Dejounte Murray, who participated in practice Sunday for the first time since rupturing his right Achilles in January 2025.
Sacramento Kings forward De'Andre Hunter (15) is helped off the court after he was injured during a game against the LA Clippers at Golden 1 Center on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
The Kings acquired Hunter from the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team trade on Jan. 31. Hunter made his Kings debut in Wednesday’s 129-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. He left Friday’s 114-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after taking a shot to the eye late in the third quarter.
The Kings provided an update on Hunter’s injury Sunday, saying he had been diagnosed with iritis in his left eye. He will be reevaluated in about two weeks.
According to the Mayo Clinic, iritis is inflammation of the iris, the colored ring around the eye’s pupil. It can be caused by infections, autoimmune conditions or, in Hunter’s case, trauma to the eye. Symptoms include redness and pain in the eye, sensitivity to light, blurred or decreased vision and watery eyes.
Kings at Pelicans
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Smoothie King Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Pelicans -8.5
Over/under: 230.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Domantas Sabonis (back); Doug McDermott (shoulder). OUT — Zach LaVine (finger); Malik Monk (illness); Keegan Murray (ankle); Isaiah Stevens (G League).
Pelicans: OUT — Trey Alexander (G League); Hunter Dickinson (G League); Dejounte Murray (Achilles).