The Sacramento Kings' nightmare 2025-26 campaign has officially reached its nadir. In a devastating blow to a franchise already reeling from a historic collapse, All-Star center Domantas Sabonis has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The news, confirmed by league sources on Wednesday, serves as the final nail in the coffin for a team that entered the season with playoff aspirations but now finds itself dead last in the NBA Western Conference standings.

Sabonis Injury Details and Recovery Timeline

Sabonis, who had been attempting to play through the injury sustained earlier in the season, underwent successful surgery this week. While the procedure is expected to fully repair the damage, the recovery timeline of 4-6 months guarantees he will not suit up again until the 2026-27 training camp. The 29-year-old big man appeared in just 19 games this season, averaging 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds—numbers well below his All-NBA standards, reflecting the physical toll the injury had taken.

"It was a decision made with the long-term future in mind," a team source indicated. "There is no incentive to push Domantas through pain in a season where the playoffs are mathematically out of reach. The priority now is having him 100% healthy for next year."

An Avalanche of Injuries: LaVine, Hunter, and Cardwell

The loss of Sabonis is merely the headline of a crowded and depressing injury report. The Kings are currently navigating a worst-case scenario roster crisis:

  • Zach LaVine: The centerpiece of last year's blockbuster trade has also been ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a tendon in his right hand. LaVine played just 37 games, struggling to find a rhythm before the injury.
  • De'Andre Hunter: Acquired at the deadline to shore up the wing defense, Hunter's Kings tenure lasted only two games before a freak eye injury (iritis) required season-ending surgery.
  • Dylan Cardwell: The promising rookie center, who was expected to absorb Sabonis's minutes, suffered a severe ankle sprain in practice and is out for at least a month.

The lone bright spot remains Keegan Murray. The fourth-year forward recently returned to the lineup after missing significant time with a thumb injury. Now the undisputed focal point of the offense, Murray faces the daunting task of leading a G-League caliber roster through the final 25 games of the season.

Tonight's Matchup: The De'Aaron Fox Revenge Game

As if the injury news wasn't painful enough, the basketball gods have scheduled a cruel twist of fate for tonight. The Kings (12-44) travel to San Antonio to face the Spurs (39-16) on Saturday, February 21. This matchup marks another painful reunion with former franchise cornerstone De'Aaron Fox, who was traded to San Antonio in February 2025.

While the Kings have imploded since the trade, Fox has flourished alongside Victor Wembanyama, propelling the Spurs to the second seed in the West. Seeing Fox thrive in a winning environment while the Kings trot out a makeshift lineup is a stark reminder of the gamble that has seemingly backfired on the Sacramento front office.

Key Matchup to Watch

With Sabonis and LaVine out, all eyes will be on the duel between Keegan Murray and the Spurs' formidable frontcourt. Murray's development is arguably the only remaining storyline of value for Sacramento fans this season. Can he establish himself as a true primary scorer against an elite defense anchored by Wembanyama?

The Silver Lining: The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery

With a 15-game losing streak and the worst record in the NBA, the Kings have inadvertently positioned themselves perfectly for the upcoming draft. The focus has shifted entirely from the play-in tournament to the lottery balls.

The 2026 draft class is headlined by potential franchise-altering talents like Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and AJ Dybantsa. For a Kings team that lacks a clear direction, securing a top-three pick is now the only definition of a "successful" finish to this season. Fans have already begun looking past the nightly box scores to the tankathon standings, hoping that this year of misery will yield a cornerstone star to pair with Murray and a healthy Sabonis in 2027.

For now, Sacramento must endure the final stretch of a season that went off the rails months ago. The disaster is complete; the rebuild, officially, is back on.