Sacramento coach Doug Christie wanted his top starters to get some work done Wednesday night in one of the team’s final preseason games, but that always comes with risks, and it has hurt the Kings.
Domantas Sabonis suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain against the Clippers and will be out for at least the first week of the season, the Kings announced. A Grade 1 strain typically keeps a player out of action for about 10 days, but that time can vary.
Sabonis isn’t the only starter for the Kings. Keegan Murray underwent surgery for a rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, which will keep him out for at least a month.
Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, averaged 19.1 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, shooting 41.7% on a pair of 3-pointers per game, but 62.7% from inside the arc. Dario Saric will start with Sabonis out, but that means a lot of scoring and rebounding to compensate (plus, Sabonis serves as a center for Sacramento’s offense).
It’s a tough start for the Kings, a team without much room for error in the West if the goal is to make the postseason. The Kings open the season at the Suns on Oct. 22 and then return home for two games over the weekend against the Jazz and Lakers.
