Domantas Sabonis didn’t waste any time shaking off the rust. After missing 27 games with a partially torn meniscus in his left knee, the Kings big man returned to the court Friday night and made an immediate impact off the bench in a win over Washington. He finished with 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists in limited minutes-solid numbers that speak to both his skill set and his ability to reintegrate quickly.
Kings interim head coach Doug Christie liked what he saw. “His energy was good,” Christie said postgame.
“He ran the floor well. He looked really good.
I thought he got a little gassed at one point, but fantastic.”
Sabonis admitted the layoff had been tough. “I’m just happy I was able to play,” he said. “You really miss it when you’re gone for so long.”
For Sacramento, getting Sabonis back is more than just a feel-good story-it’s a crucial piece returning to the puzzle. His ability to facilitate the offense from the high post, crash the glass, and serve as a vocal leader on the floor has been sorely missed. If he can ramp back up to full strength, the Kings’ frontcourt rotation just got a major boost heading into the second half of the season.
In Golden State, things are a little more complicated. Jonathan Kuminga’s reported trade request has cast a shadow over the Warriors’ locker room, and head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the tension.
“It’s a tough situation for everybody,” Kerr said. “Part of this league, part of this job.
We just keep moving forward.”
Kuminga was present at the team’s rare home shootaround at Chase Center before their game against the Knicks, but he didn’t stick around long once the media entered the gym-sprinting off the court without speaking to reporters. It’s a telling moment in what’s become an increasingly delicate situation.
Kuminga’s talent is undeniable, but so is his desire for a bigger role. Whether that happens in Golden State or elsewhere remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Rudy Gobert is owning up to one of his toughest performances of the season. The Timberwolves center struggled mightily in a loss to the Rockets, going just 2-for-10 from the free-throw line, committing two costly turnovers, and making some rare defensive miscues down the stretch.
“Just a lot of plays, man. Mistakes.
Free throws. A lot of things that I can control,” Gobert said after the game.
“I definitely cost us the game. I take responsibility for that.
I’ve got to be better.”
It’s the kind of accountability you want from a veteran leader, especially one who anchors your defense. But for a Timberwolves team with playoff aspirations, they’ll need Gobert to bounce back quickly-and clean up the little things that can swing close games.
In New Orleans, the Pelicans dropped a high-scoring affair to the Pacers, allowing 127 points-Indiana’s third-highest total of the season. Interim head coach James Borrego pointed to the possession battle as a key issue.
“The biggest thing is they had 20 more shots on goal,” Borrego said. “We did enough offensively, even though I don’t think the second half was great offensively. But we just didn’t get enough stops.”
That’s been a recurring theme for New Orleans lately. The offense shows flashes, but the defense continues to leak at critical moments.
Giving up that many extra possessions is a recipe for trouble, especially against a team like Indiana that thrives in an up-tempo game. If the Pelicans want to climb out of the Western Conference basement, it starts with tightening up on the defensive end.