Kings Shut Down Sabonis, LaVine for Season After Surgeries

The Sacramento Kings will finish the season without two of their key players after confirming that center Domantas Sabonis and guard Zach LaVine underwent surgeries on Wednesday.

Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, had a procedure in Los Angeles to address a meniscus tear that has limited him for much of the campaign. The 29-year-old averaged 15.8 points and a team-best 11.4 rebounds across 19 appearances this season. After suffering the injury in November, Sabonis was used cautiously, featuring in seven of Sacramento’s final eight games in January but appearing only once in February.

The team announced that Sabonis will begin rehabilitation immediately and will be re-evaluated before the start of training camp, raising hopes of a full recovery ahead of next season.

LaVine, 30, underwent surgery to repair a tendon in his right pinky finger, ruling him out for the remainder of the year. The veteran guard, who had been the subject of trade deadline speculation, is in his second season with Sacramento. He averaged 19.2 points and 2.3 assists in 39 games, providing scoring punch in the backcourt.

The simultaneous absence of Sabonis and LaVine leaves a significant void in both the frontcourt and perimeter rotation as the Kings look to close out their schedule. Sabonis’ rebounding and interior presence had been central to the team’s balance, while LaVine’s scoring ability often sparked the offense.

In addition to the two season-ending setbacks, the Kings also reported an injury to backup center Dylan Caldwell. An MRI on his left ankle revealed a sprain, and he is expected to be re-evaluated in four weeks. The timeline suggests he could return before the campaign concludes, depending on his recovery.

The injuries mark a challenging stretch for Sacramento, which must now rely on its remaining depth to navigate the rest of the season. With rehabilitation programs underway for both Sabonis and LaVine, the organization’s focus will shift toward ensuring both players are fully fit for the upcoming training camp and the next phase of the franchise’s plans.