The Sacramento Kings are starting to find their rhythm again-and just in time. Riding a three-game winning streak, they've taken down some quality opponents and are finally showing signs of the team many expected to see earlier in the season. And now, there’s even more reason for optimism in Sacramento: Domantas Sabonis might be on the verge of returning.
Sabonis, who’s been sidelined for most of the season with a partial meniscus tear in his left knee, was officially listed as questionable ahead of the Kings’ upcoming matchup against the Washington Wizards. That might not sound like much on the surface, but considering he was a full participant in practice, it’s a significant step forward. According to reports, there’s growing optimism that Sabonis could suit up as early as Friday night.
That’s a big deal.
Sabonis has been the engine of this team since he arrived in Sacramento, and in the limited action he saw earlier this year-just 11 games-he still managed to average 17.2 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. Those are the kind of numbers that don’t just show up in the box score; they impact every possession.
He’s a high-IQ big who can initiate offense, crash the glass, and anchor the paint. And when he’s on the floor, the Kings' offense flows in a way that makes them tough to guard.
The timing of his potential return couldn’t be better. The Kings are finally building momentum, and adding Sabonis back into the mix could be the catalyst for a real push up the Western Conference standings.
The team has managed to stay afloat-and even thrive in spurts-without him, which says a lot about their depth and resilience. But make no mistake: if Sacramento wants to make noise down the stretch, they’ll need Sabonis healthy and back in rhythm.
There’s still work to do. The Kings have been inconsistent this season, and Sabonis’ return won’t solve everything overnight.
But if he’s ready to go-and all signs point to that being the case-Sacramento could be getting a much-needed boost at just the right time. A healthy Sabonis, paired with the team’s recent surge, could be the spark that carries them into the postseason conversation for real.
Now, it’s just a matter of when. Friday night in Washington?
That’s the hope. And if it happens, the Kings might finally be ready to roll.