Zach LaVine is day-to-day with a right hand injury, according to the Kings' injury report issued Sunday, Sept. 6. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 1, ahead of Sacramento's regular-season opener on Oct. 5 against the Lakers.
What happened
The Kings placed Zach LaVine on the injury report as day-to-day on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 4:32 a.m. ET, the first listing for the issue with no previous status attached. The report cites a right hand injury under the arm designation. Shams Charania of ESPN reported that LaVine, dealing with the hand issue, exercised his $49 million player option for 2026-27 on Monday. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 1.
What it means for the Kings
Sacramento opens the season at home against the Lakers on Monday, Oct. 5 at 10 p.m. ET, four days after LaVine's expected return date. Last season LaVine averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.4 minutes across 39 games, and the Kings do not yet have a record with or without him since the 2026-27 season has not started. If he is unavailable, DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schröder are the healthy guards who could absorb his minutes; Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray, also listed day-to-day on the same report, are not certainties themselves.
What to watch
The Kings' next injury report will show whether LaVine's hand status changes before the opener. His expected return date of Oct. 1 falls ahead of Sacramento's regular-season opener on Oct. 5 against the Lakers, the only game referenced on the current schedule. Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray remain day-to-day as well, so Sacramento's injury report is worth tracking for all three players in the days before the opener.
Is Zach LaVine playing vs the Lakers on Oct. 5?
He is listed day-to-day with a right hand injury, but his expected return date of Oct. 1 comes before Sacramento's Oct. 5 opener against the Lakers.
When will Zach LaVine be back?
The Kings' injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 1.