The Sacramento Kings announced Friday that star center Domantas Sabonis is expected to remain sidelined for another four to five weeks as he rehabs from a partial meniscus tear in his left knee.
The three-time NBA All-Star has not appeared in a game since Nov. 16, a stretch in which Sacramento has posted a 3-10 record without him. Sabonis initially missed time due to what was described as left knee soreness on Nov. 19, but additional imaging confirmed the meniscus injury.
This year has been plagued by setbacks for Sabonis, who previously missed the season opener with a preseason hamstring strain and later sat out games in early November because of a rib issue. Prior to this season, the Kings star had been remarkably durable, suiting up for 79, 82, and 70 games in the last three years.
Before his injury, Sabonis was averaging 17.2 points and 12.3 rebounds through 11 games, and he has led the NBA in rebounding for the past three seasons.
With Sabonis out, rookie second-round pick Maxime Raynaud has stepped into a larger role. Raynaud is averaging 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds overall, and he has boosted those numbers to 16.3 points and 7.5 rebounds over his last eight games.
Sacramento continues to struggle this season, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 6-21 record.
