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SACRAMENTO KINGS

Updated Sacramento Kings roster: Skal returns amid Sabonis injury

The Sacramento Kings roster will be tested over the coming days as they navigate a stretch of play without All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis.

Skal Labissiere #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers is introduced as part of the team prior to taking...

(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings roster will be tested in the coming days–and potentially weeks–as they navigate life without All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis.

Sabonis, who suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during Saturday’s win in Houston, has rarely missed games since being acquired by the Kings in February 2022. Since joining Sacramento, the big man has played in 232 of 249 (93.1%) possible regular-season games, meaning that a mult-game absence is a very rare occurrence.

While Sabonis’ absence will sting, the Kings can’t feel sorry for themselves as they battle multiple teams in the race for a Western Conference playoff spot. Sacramento enters play this week just one half-game behind the sixth and final playoff spot in the conference with 23 games left to play.

As the Kings weather a brutal March schedule that will now include Sabonis’s absence for at least four games, the team has brought back a familiar face—former Sacramento first-round draft pick Skal Labissiere—on a 10-day contract to provide depth at the forward and center positions.

Trey Lyles is likely to assume the majority of backup center minutes behind Jonas Valanciunas, but interim head coach Doug Christie can now call on Labissiere or two-way product Isaac Jones in certain matchups.

Valanciunas, who the Kings acquired during the trade deadline, will be in line to see a bump in playing time with Sabonis out of action. The veteran big man filled in seamlessly during Saturday’s win in Houston, scoring 15 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and blocking three shots to go along with four steals over 30 minutes of playing time.

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Here is a look at where things stand for the Sacramento Kings roster with Sabonis sidelined:

Updated Sacramento Kings Roster

Projected Starting Lineup

PG: Malik Monk

SG: Zach LaVine

SF: DeMar DeRozan

PF: Keegan Murray

C: Jonas Valanciunas

Projected Second Unit

PG: Markelle Fultz

SG: Keon Ellis

SF: Jake LaRavia

PF/C: Trey Lyles

Bench Depth

PG – Devin Carter

SF – Doug McDermott

SF/PF – Jae Crowder

PF/C – Skal Labissiere

PF/C – Isaac Jones (two-way)

PG/SG – Mason Jones (two-way)

SF/PF – Isaiah Crawford (two-way)

OUT: Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) – Will be re-evaluated on March 9-10th.

More Sacramento Kings coverage from Sactown Sports

Kings interim head coach Doug Christie joined The Drive Guys to discuss his team’s outlook for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season, what he learned from Rick Adelman, and more.

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Given the nature of the Sacramento Kings roster turnover at the trade deadline, along with Christie taking over the head coaching responsibilities mid-season, it’s been an adjustment for everyone on the Kings.

When asked how he’s handling the situation, he took an approach that centers around his team rather than any given opposition.

“Just continue to fight and work on us,” Doug Christie said. “This isn’t really about our opponent right now.”

Doug Christie discusses Sacramento’s outlook with The Drive Guys

Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings

  • Monday, March 3rd – @ Dallas Mavericks – 5:30 PM PT
  • Wednesday, March 5th – @ Denver Nuggets – 6:00 PM PT
  • Friday, March 7th – vs. San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 PM PT
  • Sunday, March 9th – @ Los Angeles Clippers – 6:30 PM PT
  • Monday, March 10th – vs. New York Knicks – 7:30 PM PT

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Frankie Cartoscelli Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Author Name: Franklin Cartoscelli Bio: Franklin 'Frankie' Cartoscelli is Sactown Sports 1140's Lead Editor, Sacramento Kings beat writer and co-host of the Return of the Roar podcast. Professional Background: Worked in professional sports… Read more

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