The Sacramento Kings announced that All-Star center Domantas Sabonis will miss at least the first two regular-season games next week due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain.
Sabonis exited last Wednesday’s preseason loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after experiencing hamstring discomfort and sat out Friday’s preseason finale while undergoing medical evaluation.
Although the injury is considered minor, Sabonis will not play in the Kings’ season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday or their home opener versus the Utah Jazz next Friday. The earliest possible return date for the star big man is Sunday, Oct. 26, when Sacramento hosts the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Kings are already dealing with another significant absence, as fourth-year forward Keegan Murray is expected to miss at least a month with a torn UCL in his left thumb. During the preseason, Sacramento has used second-year center Isaac Jones and veterans Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks to fill in for both Murray and Sabonis.
