Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis has taken a significant step toward returning to game action. His return could provide a potential boost for a team whose season has steadily unraveled without him.
Latest Injury Updates on Sacramento Kings’ Center Domantas Sabonis
Kings’ radio reporter Sean Cunningham reported on X that Sabonis was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, marking his most encouraging update since suffering a knee injury in mid-November.
“I’m told that Domantas Sabonis was a full participant at Kings practice today,” Cunningham wrote. “I’m also hearing there’s optimism that he could return to action as early as Friday night’s game vs. Wizards.”
Sabonis has missed the last 27 games due to a partial tear of the meniscus in his left knee. The injury occurred on Nov. 16, 2025, during a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Kings reporter James Ham later added that Sabonis is trending toward a return but has not yet been fully cleared.
“According to a league source, Domantas Sabonis will be listed as questionable for tomorrow’s Sacramento Kings game,” Ham posted. “Sabonis has missed the last 27 games for the Kings and hasn’t appeared in a game since Nov. 16.”
Sabonis, a Lithuanian-American center, has played just 11 games this season. In total, he has missed 30 contests due to the knee injury, which has had a major impact on Sacramento’s performance.
The Kings are 9-21 in games Sabonis has missed. His absence has coincided with a sharp decline in consistency and structure on both ends of the floor.
Sacramento’s season has spiraled in recent weeks. The team recently endured a seven-game losing streak before snapping it with a 111-98 win over the Houston Rockets. Since then, the Kings have managed to string together three wins, though they remain well below expectations.
Sabonis is in his 12th NBA season and remains one of the most productive big men in the league when healthy. In his limited action this season, he is averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 51.0% from the field.
Despite his individual production, the Kings appear to be at a crossroads.
Kings Could Move Sabonis Ahead of the Trade Deadline
League sources continue to suggest the Kings are preparing for a multi-year rebuild, and Sabonis may not be part of the franchise’s long-term plans. With the NBA trade deadline approaching, the Kings are widely viewed as one of the league’s top potential sellers.
Protecting their draft position has also become a priority. The Kings are believed to be mindful of preserving their chances to secure a top-three pick in a strong upcoming draft class, which could factor into how cautiously Sabonis is handled upon return.
Sabonis is currently under contract with the Kings for four years and $186,016,000, with $175,616,000 guaranteed. The deal runs through the 2026-27 season, making him one of the most valuable trade assets on Sacramento’s roster.
For now, the focus remains on his health. The Kings are scheduled to face the Washington Wizards on Friday, Jan. 16.
Sabonis’ status for that game will be closely monitored, as his return could shape both the Kings’ short-term rotation and their longer-term direction ahead of the trade deadline.
