NBA Injury Updates and Trade Deadline Buzz: Sabonis Nearing Return, Whitmore Out for Season, Wolves Eye Depth Over Stars
There’s movement across the NBA landscape as teams navigate injuries and eye the upcoming trade deadline. From Sacramento's cautious optimism to Minnesota's measured approach and Washington's unfortunate setback, here’s what’s happening around the league.
Kings: Sabonis Nearing Return as Sacramento Finds Some Momentum
The Kings might finally be getting their anchor back. Domantas Sabonis, a three-time All-Star and the heartbeat of Sacramento’s frontcourt, was a full participant in Thursday’s practice and could be back on the floor as soon as Friday against the Wizards. Officially, he’ll be listed as questionable, per reports, but there’s clear optimism that his return is imminent.
Sabonis has been out since mid-November with a partially torn meniscus in his left knee, missing 27 games in the process. Before the injury, he was putting up his usual steady production-17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game-serving as both a scoring threat and a facilitator from the post.
Sacramento has struggled in his absence and still sits well below .500, but the vibes are shifting. The Kings are riding their first three-game winning streak of the season, with recent wins over Houston, the Lakers, and the Knicks.
Getting Sabonis back could be the spark they need to climb back into the Western Conference mix. His return won’t solve everything, but it gives Sacramento its identity again-tough, physical, and versatile in the halfcourt.
Wizards: Cam Whitmore Out for Season with Blood Clot Diagnosis
Tough news out of Washington, where forward Cam Whitmore has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder. The Wizards have already applied for a disabled player exception, a move that gives them some flexibility but doesn’t soften the blow of losing a promising young piece.
Whitmore, acquired from Houston in the offseason, appeared in 21 games and averaged 9.2 points per contest. He was starting to find a rhythm in Washington’s rotation, flashing the athleticism and scoring instincts that made him a coveted prospect.
The good news: there’s no indication that this condition is career-threatening. Several NBA players have successfully returned from similar diagnoses, and the expectation is that Whitmore will be able to resume his career after proper treatment and recovery. For now, though, his development will be on hold, and the Wizards will have to adjust accordingly.
Timberwolves: League’s Hottest Team Staying Patient Ahead of Deadline
The Timberwolves are rolling-and they’re doing it their way. Since Thanksgiving, no team has a better record than Minnesota, and they proved their mettle again on Tuesday with a statement win in Milwaukee, despite being without both Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards.
That kind of depth and resilience is exactly why the Wolves aren’t expected to chase big names at the trade deadline. Team sources say Minnesota is focused on staying under the second tax apron, which rules out any splashy, high-cost moves. Instead, they’re eyeing smaller additions-perhaps a wing or backcourt piece to bolster their rotation.
It’s a smart, disciplined approach for a team that’s already found a winning formula. With Karl-Anthony Towns playing some of his best basketball in years and the supporting cast stepping up in big moments, the Wolves are showing they don’t need to swing for the fences. They just need to keep building on what’s working.
Bottom Line:
The Kings are hoping to get a key piece back just as they’re starting to find their stride.
The Wizards are navigating a significant health setback with a young talent. And the Timberwolves?
They’re proving that sometimes the best move is not overplaying your hand. With the trade deadline looming, these are the kinds of stories that could shape the second half of the season.