The Sacramento Kings’ playoff push just hit a devastating roadblock. Their All-NBA big man, Domantas Sabonis, has been ruled out for at least 10 days after suffering a right ankle sprain during Monday’s 132-122 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The news has left Kings fans in shambles, with many already fearing the worst. As the team clings to a play-in spot, the overwhelming sentiment among fans is frustration, disbelief, and a sense that their postseason dreams may already be slipping away.
Kings Fans Heartbroken Over Sabonis’ Injury
For Kings fans, this season has been a rollercoaster, but Sabonis’ injury might be the final gut punch. It’s not just about missing a few games—it’s about losing the heart of their team at the worst possible time. One fan summed up the collective frustration:
“They trying they hardest to miss the playoffs smh don’t blame em.”
They trying they hardest to miss the playoffs smh dont blame em
— Nando 🍀 (@nando17celtics) March 19, 2025
The timing of this injury couldn’t be worse. Sacramento, currently 34-33, is barely holding onto a play-in spot in the loaded Western Conference. With only 15 games left, every single game matters. Losing Sabonis—who leads the NBA in rebounds while also averaging 19.2 points and 6.2 assists per game, could be the difference between making the postseason or falling apart.
But some fans are already ready to throw in the towel. “Why don’t the Kings just shut down Sabonis rn? They have no chance of making the Playoffs anyway,” one fan vented.
Why don’t the Kings just shut down Sabonis rn? They have no chance of making the Playoffs anyway
— JBond 🍌 (@jbondwagon) March 19, 2025
The pessimism is understandable. Sacramento is 3-6 without Sabonis this season, and the Kings now face a brutal schedule without their most important player. That includes an interconference matchup against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
It’s not just the standings that have fans worried—it’s the sheer bad luck this team has endured. Monday’s game against Memphis was a nightmare for Sabonis.
He left less than three minutes into the first quarter after colliding with Luke Kennard’s head, suffering a deep cut above his left eye that required stitches. Just when it seemed like he’d fought through the pain and returned to save the Kings, disaster struck again.
Early in the third quarter, Sabonis went up for a layup and landed awkwardly on Jaylen Wells’ foot, badly rolling his right ankle. He immediately reached for his leg, grimacing in pain, before limping toward the tunnel. The scene was heartbreaking — he collapsed in the hallway on his way to the locker room, leaving fans in shock.
Seeing their best player go down twice in the same game was too much for some. “Kings can’t catch a break,” one fan posted in frustration.
Kings can’t catch a break
— Albert (@Lakeshow_323) March 19, 2025
Another didn’t hold back, calling the situation what many were thinking:
“Brutal loss. Kings are cursed.”
Brutal loss. Kings are cursed
— NBA Hoops Online (@NBABoards) March 19, 2025
The Kings have tried to soften the blow by signing forward Terry Taylor to a 10-day contract. Taylor, who has been dominant in the G League with 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, will add depth, but expecting him to replace Sabonis’ production is unrealistic. Jonas Valančiūnas is likely to step into the starting lineup, but even with his solid numbers—12.2 points and 12.0 rebounds in six starts—the Kings are losing far more than just stats.
And it doesn’t get any easier. Up next? The Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers. One fan, already bracing for impact, put it bluntly: .”Nah a MAJOR piece of the team .. 🗑️” There goes any chance at playoffs or in game tournament 💀”
Nah a MAJOR piece of the team .. 🗑️
There goes any chance at playoffs or in game tournament 💀
— Justin Cabs (@Capsizing__) March 19, 2025
While there’s still a path to at least a play-in spot, if not the playoffs, the Kings’ margin for error has vanished. Fans are left hoping for a miracle, but with Sabonis out, the road ahead looks daunting.