The Sacramento Kings' season has been a challenging one, marked by a series of injuries that have derailed any chance of building momentum. The latest blow comes with the announcement that Domantas Sabonis will be sidelined for the remainder of the season, while promising rookie Dylan Cardwell faces a 14-game absence.
Heading into the 2025-2026 season, expectations for the Kings were already tempered. With a new front office, a rookie head coach, and a roster that hadn't seen significant improvements, the outlook was cautious at best.
Unfortunately, the reality has been even tougher than anticipated. As the All-Star break concludes, the Kings find themselves at the bottom of the league, enduring a 14-game losing streak that shows no signs of abating.
Injuries have been a persistent thorn in Sacramento's side, disrupting any semblance of stability. Key players have faced extended periods off the court, compounded by a slew of minor injuries that have further depleted the roster. The situation has only worsened recently.
Zach LaVine is out for the season following finger surgery, and now Sabonis has undergone surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, which had already kept him out for two months. Adding to the woes, Dylan Cardwell's sprained ankle during practice will keep him out for at least 14 games, with a reevaluation set in a month. The Kings will need to be cautious with his recovery to avoid further setbacks.
De'Andre Hunter remains sidelined with an eye injury sustained in just his second game with the team. Prior to the break, Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk were also dealing with injuries, but there’s hope they’ll be ready as the Kings return to action.
On a brighter note, Keegan Murray is expected to make his return against the Orlando Magic, having missed 20 games. While his return is a positive development, the reality is that the Kings' 2025-2026 season is largely beyond salvage. With only 26 games left, and a roster still hampered by injuries, the path to improvement is steep.