Domantas Sabonis on representing Sacramento in “Starting 5” documentary

Sep 27, 2024, 3:01 PM

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Domantas Sabonis, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum ...

Domantas Sabonis, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's "Starting 5" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on September 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)

(Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

With the Netflix red carpet premiere recently taking place, Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis has been speaking with media members about his role in the upcoming Netflix documentary “Starting 5.”

Sactown Sports 1140 spoke with Sabonis Friday about his willingness to open up for the show, representing Sacramento as a team and city, what it means to him and his family, and more.

“Starting 5” will first air on Netflix on October 9th, featuring ten 45-minute episodes. “I’m all in for the Kings,” Sabonis said.

“We don’t get as many TV games. Well, now we’re going to be on TV for a long time, so hopefully, people can start to catch on and know all the effort that everyone in the city puts in.”

More on the Netflix show Starting 5 & Domantas Sabonis

Directed by Susan Ansman, Trishtan Williams, Peter J. Scalettar and executive produced by Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, Philip Byron and Randy Mims (for UNINTERRUPTED); President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Vinnie Malhotra and Ethan Lewis (for Higher Ground); and Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz and Sam Pepper (for Omaha Productions), the series captures all five athletes in their battles on and off the court as they chase greatness, push through injuries, and balance the demands of family and legacy. James exerts himself harder than ever to stay healthy — and dominant — in his 21st season, while Edwards electrifies with his rapid rise. Butler’s relentless drive propels the Heat, Sabonis anchors the Kings with his versatile play, and Tatum leads the Celtics in their quest for a record 18th championship. Starting 5 delivers an unfiltered view of life at the pinnacle of professional basketball.

Netflix’s synopsis of Starting 5 – August 28, 2024

It was a memorable 2023-24 season for Sabonis, who secured his second-straight All-NBA Third Team honor.

Over 82 games, Sabonis averaged 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds (1st in NBA), and 8.2 assists (6th in NBA) per game on 59 percent shooting from the field. The 27-year-old led the league in double-doubles (77) and triple-doubles (26) and clinched his second-straight rebounding title.

Along with leading the league in rebounds, rebounds per game, double-doubles, and triple-doubles, Sabonis’ 673 assists (a career-high) placed him fourth in the NBA, only behind Tyrese Haliburton, Luka Doncic, and Jokic.

Sabonis also finished fourth in win shares (12.6), with only Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexader, and Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of him.

Posting 19-13-8 is a rare feat for NBA players. Sabonis’ 2023-24 season made him just the second player in league history to post those numbers or better, joining Wilt Chamberlain (1967-68) as the only other person to do so.

Since being acquired by Sacramento in 2022, Sabonis has been a force for the Kings, averaging 19.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists over 176 games. Sabonis has already jumped into the top ten on the Sacramento era (1985-present) rebounding leaderboard, coming in at tenth with 2,278 rebounds.

When is the next Sacramento Kings offseason date of interest?

Now that we know when the Kings will suit up for their season-opener, we can look forward to October 24th for the Beam Team’s season-opening matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Training camps will begin at the end of September, meaning there could still be a move or two up general manager Monte McNair’s sleeve to round out Sacramento’s roster before players report to Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for all of your Sacramento Kings news on player signings, trades, game recaps, and more for the upcoming season.