Kings' Playoff Push Hits a Roadblock as Sabonis Goes Down
The Sacramento Kings have been on fire lately, winning six of their last eight games and keeping their playoff hopes alive in a competitive Western Conference.
Sagar 
Their latest victory, a solid 113-103 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, March 1, 2025, further strengthened their position. But the celebration was short-lived, as the team suffered a major blow early in the game.
Just a minute into the matchup against Houston, star center Domantas Sabonis went down with a left hamstring strain. The injury forced him to leave the game immediately, and after further evaluation, the Kings announced that he would be out indefinitely. The team will reassess his condition in a week, but his absence leaves a significant gap in Sacramento’s lineup.
Sabonis, a three-time All-Star at just 28 years old, has been a force for the Kings this season. Leading the NBA in rebounds, he’s averaging 14.1 boards, 19.5 points, and 6.2 assists over 56 games. His all-around play has been crucial to the team’s success, and without him, Sacramento will need to find ways to fill the void.
To counter Sabonis’ absence, the Kings have signed center Skal Labissiere to a 10-day contract. Labissiere, 28, has been performing well in the G League with Stockton, averaging 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds this season. While he’s not expected to fully replace Sabonis, he provides much-needed depth in the frontcourt.
With Sabonis sidelined, other players must step up—especially Jonas Valanciūnas, who had a strong showing against the Rockets with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and four steals. His role will be even more important in the coming weeks as the Kings fight to stay in playoff contention. The Kings have a tough road ahead, starting with a crucial game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:30 PM PST.
