The Kings ruled Domantas Sabonis out for Sunday's game against the Heat with a left knee issue. He had been day-to-day, and Sacramento loses its leading rebounder while it sits 14th in the standings.
What happened
Domantas Sabonis was downgraded from day-to-day to out on Sunday, Nov. 8, in an injury report update posted at 8:24 p.m. ET. The listing is a left knee issue, filed as knee and leg. The report's comment reads: "Sabonis (knee) is out for Sunday's game against the Heat." The update came about 36 minutes before the 9 p.m. ET tip. The report gives an expected return date of Nov. 10. The Kings have not announced a diagnosis or a timeline beyond that date. Sabonis, 30, had carried the same left knee listing before. It first appeared on Sept. 6 and was cleared on Sept. 23.
What it means for the Kings
Sacramento hosts Miami on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. The Kings are 1-8, 14th seed, and have lost two straight. Sabonis has played in all nine games. He is averaging 35.5 minutes, 15.3 points, 14.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists. The Kings have not played a game without him, so there is no record without him to cite. The rotation minutes fall to Darius Acuff Jr. (36.8 minutes, 25.2 points), Zach LaVine (33.5, 22.1), De'Andre Hunter (31.2, 13.0) and Keegan Murray (27.2, 7.0). Precious Achiuwa (26.6, 10.8) is the next big-minute option. Ben Simmons (Achilles) and Maxime Raynaud (knee) are also out.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Sabonis moves from out to a lesser designation. The report lists an expected return of Nov. 10. The Kings have not announced which game that would mean, and the date is not a confirmation that he will play. Watch Achiuwa's and Mogbo's minutes against Miami, and whether Sacramento can end its two-game losing streak. Simmons and Raynaud remain out, so the Kings are thin up front.
Is Domantas Sabonis playing vs the Heat?
No. The injury report lists Sabonis as out for Sunday's game against the Heat because of a left knee issue.
When will Domantas Sabonis be back?
The injury report gives an expected return date of Nov. 10. The Kings have not announced a diagnosis or which game that would be.