Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in one week, per multiple media reports.
As a result, the star big man is expected to miss the team’s opener Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns. In his absence, veteran posts Drew Eubanks and Dario Saric are expected to take on larger roles. Both centers started games for the team this preseason.
Sabonis has established himself as one of the most productive big men in the NBA. The three-time All-Star has averaged 19.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game since being traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Kings on Feb. 8, 2022. In addition, he has led the league in rebounds per game in each of his three full seasons in Sacramento.
Last season, Sabonis was sidelined for three weeks in March with a hamstring strain. He returned to the lineup and closed out the regular season strongly, averaging 20.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game in April with .620/.538/.950 shooting splits.
