Kings Can’t Catch a Break: De’Andre Hunter Injury Adds to Sacramento’s Season-Long Struggles
The Sacramento Kings just can’t seem to escape the injury bug. In a year where every step forward has been met with two steps back, the newest setback came Friday night when De’Andre Hunter exited early against the Clippers after taking an accidental shot to the eye. Just his second game in a Kings uniform, and he was already sidelined - a frustrating development for a team that’s been navigating a minefield of injuries all season.
The timing couldn't be worse. With the trade deadline now in the rearview, the Kings find themselves locked into the roster they’ve got - for better or worse.
While fans were hoping for a splashy move involving names like Domantas Sabonis or Zach LaVine, the front office held firm. No panic trades, no forced deals.
Sacramento made one move, and it was a calculated one.
As part of a three-team exchange, the Kings sent Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, and Dario Saric packing. In return, they brought in Hunter - a versatile wing with two-way potential - and cleared enough cap space to convert Dylan Cardwell’s deal into a standard NBA contract.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was strategic. The hope was that Hunter could settle in quickly and become a meaningful piece of the rotation down the stretch.
But now, that plan is on pause. After being poked in the eye, Hunter was ruled out for the remainder of the game against L.A., and his status for the second night of the back-to-back remains up in the air. For a team trying to build chemistry and find consistency, losing a key new addition this early stings - especially when the coaching staff is still figuring out how to integrate him.
And that’s been the theme of the Kings’ season: just when things start to look up, they get knocked back down.
Injuries have been the story since opening night. Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis both missed the season opener, and while Sabonis returned quickly, Murray was out for weeks.
Then, just as Murray made his way back into the lineup, Sabonis went down again - this time for two months. The cruel twist?
They’ve yet to share the floor together this season. Not a single minute.
That kind of instability makes it hard for any team to find its rhythm, let alone a squad trying to climb the Western Conference ladder. And it hasn’t just been the stars. The injuries have been widespread, disrupting rotations, limiting practice time, and forcing Sacramento to constantly reshuffle its lineup.
Hunter’s eye injury is just the latest bump in a road full of them. The Kings brought him in hoping he could be a key piece in their long-term puzzle - a player with size, defensive chops, and enough offensive versatility to complement their core.
Early signs were promising. He looked comfortable, connected well with teammates like Precious Achiuwa, and seemed to be finding his footing quickly.
But now, it’s wait-and-see. The hope is that the injury is minor and Hunter can get back on the court soon.
For a team that’s been forced to adapt all year long, they’re used to adjusting on the fly. Still, there’s no denying the frustration.
Sacramento hasn’t had a chance to see what this group can really do when fully healthy - and that includes their newest addition.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the Kings have shown resilience through it all. They’ve battled, patched lineups together, and stayed competitive despite the setbacks. But if they’re going to make a real push in the second half of the season, they’ll need health - and a little bit of luck - on their side.
Right now, they could use both.