The Sacramento Kings’ season continues to get more difficult. Domantas Sabonis will remain sidelined for another four to five weeks due to a partial tear of the meniscus in his left knee, as the franchise announced on Friday.

A significant absence that prolongs an already lengthy layoff and is clearly impacting the team’s performance.

The Sacramento Kings announced that Domantas Sabonis will be re-evaluated in four to five weeks as he continues his rehabilitation process for a partial tear of the meniscus in his left knee

Michael Scotto

The Lithuanian center has not taken the court since November 16, and since then the Kings have managed just three wins in thirteen games. Initially, the issue was described as simple knee soreness, but further tests changed the outlook. “The priority is a full recovery”, sources close to the team say, a clear sign that Sacramento does not intend to take risks with one of its key players.

A season marked by setbacks

Sabonis’ 2024/25 season has so far been a series of interruptions. First came a hamstring strain in the preseason that forced him to miss the season opener, followed by a rib issue in early November. An unusual situation for a player who, in recent years, had been synonymous with durability.

The recent numbers say it all: 79, 82, and 70 games played in the previous three seasons. A figure that makes it even clearer how this stoppage represents a departure from the standard Sacramento had grown accustomed to.

Kings struggling: how much does the absence really weigh?

The record stands at 6–21, with Sacramento firmly in the lower reaches of the Western Conference. It would be far too easy to blame everything on Sabonis’ absence, but the reality is more complex. His unavailability has amplified issues that were already there: defensive consistency, late-game management, and offensive identity.

That said, losing a big man capable of creating from the post, dominating the boards, and facilitating for teammates has stripped balance from a system that largely revolved around him. “Domantas is our reference point”, a member of the staff had said in the past, and recent results seem to confirm it.

The Raynaud opportunity

Amid the struggles, there is at least one positive note. Sabonis’ absence has opened the door for rookie Maxime Raynaud, selected in the second round of the Draft. The Frenchman has responded with confidence: 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game since his teammate’s injury, numbers that have risen to 16.3 points and 7.5 rebounds over the last eight games.

He is not a long-term solution, nor a direct replacement, but he does represent an encouraging sign in a season that has so far offered few certainties. Raynaud is taking advantage of the context to grow, even if Sabonis’ overall impact remains out of reach.

A setback that goes beyond the court

The real question now concerns the medium term. Sacramento must decide whether to grit its teeth and wait for its center to return or begin to think in broader terms. Rushing the process would make little sense, especially for a player whose impact is largely based on physicality.

Domantas Sabonis’ recovery will be a key moment not only for the standings, but also for understanding what kind of season the Kings’ coming months can truly be.