Kings’ Domantas Sabonis out for the first week of the season with a hamstring strain
Sacramento coach Doug Christie wanted to run together for his core starters Wednesday night in one of the team’s final preseason games, but that always comes with risks and bit 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 usually keeps a player out about 10 days, but that time can vary.
Sabonis isn’t the only starter for the Kings. Keegan Murray underwent surgery for a ruptured 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 percent on a pair of 3-pointers per game but 62.7 percent inside the arc. Dario Saric will start with Sabonis out, but there are plenty of goals and rebounds to be had (plus, Sabonis serves as the hub for Sacramento’s offense).
It’s a tough way to start for the Kings, a team without much room for error in the West if the goal is to reach the postseason. The Kings open the season at the Suns on Oct. 22, then return home for two games over the weekend against the Jazz and Lakers.
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