Domantas Sabonis reflects on his career via The Woj Pod

Sacramento Kings star center Domantas Sabonis joined ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski for an episode of The Woj Pod during the team’s final road trip of the 2023-24 NBA regular season. Speaking from New York prior to their recent matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, Sabonis took the time to reflect back on his career, what he’s learned from his father, not making the All-Star team this season despite historic production, and more.

Woj and Domantas Sabonis started their conversation discussing the current Kings’ season and tight Western Conference standings race as the postseason grows nearer. The 6’10 big talked about how things have changed for him and De’Aaron Fox since Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk have gone down.

“For me, personally, those are two guys that I play my two-man game with, so you’ve got to find different ways to get everyone involved or be more effective,” Domantas Sabonis said.

Full audio of Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis on The Woj Pod: https://t.co/K3FhSUO9ja pic.twitter.com/dkHMgaMSCd

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 8, 2024

Domantas Sabonis was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on draft night and started his career there. Since joining the league in 2016, he’s seen the center positions continue to evolve, likely to his benefit.

“I feel completely different [than when I came out of Gonzaga],” he said. “Even my rookie year I was more of a stretch four, spacing out and shooting a lot of threes actually, and right now, I surprise myself sometimes. It’s not what I thought my position would be.”

“The center position has changed a lot since I was in college or came into the league in my first years, and just every year, I try to see how I can be effective and help my teammates out. Seeing the trends of bigs and what they’re doing, trying to learn those new skills, and trying to add them to my game. I’m always lucky to have great teammates that just make life easier for me. So, I just try to go out there and take advantage of the opportunity.”

As the conversation continued, Woj and Sabonis discussed his time with the Indiana Pacers alongside Myles Turner. Woj referenced Tyrese Haliburton, saying he and De’Aaron Fox were both better apart than they were together, and asked if there was a similar feeling for Sabonis with Turner.

Despite trying to make it work and enjoying his time with Turner in Indiana, it’s become an ideal outcome for both teams. The Sacramento Kings are competing in a playoff race for the second consecutive season after a 17-year drought, while the Pacers have a bright future in the East.

Other topics discussed include:

• What Domantas remembers from his father’s (Arvydas Sabonis) playing career
• The impact his dad had on his own game and their current game-related conversations
• How growing up in Spain impacted Domantas Sabonis
• Did the Spanish national team attempt to have Domantas Sabonis represent their country nationally?
• “There’s nothing like playing for your country, especially Lithuania”
• When the NBA got to a point where they were comfortable playing through bigs, largely due to two-time MVP Nikola Jokic
• The extensive talent planning to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics
• On deleting social media at the beginning of this season for the first time: “It’s been the best thing ever.”
• And plenty more!

 

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will play its final road game of the regular season on Tuesday night when they face the third-seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Kings have secured two wins out of three matchups against OKC this season, although they dropped the most recent head-to-head meeting on February 11th as the Thunder coasted to a 127-111 win at the Paycom Center.

During three games against Oklahoma City this season, Domantas Sabonis holds averages of 18.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 11.3 assists on 55 percent shooting from the field.

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Thunder coverage, beginning at 3:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 5:00 PM PST tip-off from Oklahoma City.

Upcoming Schedule

• Tuesday, April 9th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:00 PM PST
• Thursday, April 11th – Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PST
• Friday, April 12th – Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PST
• Sunday, April 14th – Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 12:30 PM PST (End of regular season)

Postseason Schedule

• Tuesday, April 16th-Friday, April 19th – NBA Play-In Tournament (Teams & matchups TBD)
• Saturday, April 20th – NBA Playoffs begin

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