Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn left meniscus, according to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday. The injury marks a significant setback for the Kings, already struggling in the Western Conference.
Sabonis initially sustained the injury in November and missed eight weeks of play before returning to the court on January 16th. He re-aggravated the injury, leading to his absence from the Kings’ final four games leading into the All-Star break, and ultimately the decision to have surgery. Charania reported that Sabonis attempted to rehabilitate the tear throughout the season, hoping to avoid surgical intervention.
This season, Sabonis has appeared in a career-low 19 games, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 29.7 minutes per game. Prior to this injury-plagued season, the 29-year-old had established himself as one of the league’s premier big men, earning three All-Star selections and two All-NBA honors. He had also led the NBA in rebounding for the previous three seasons.
The Kings have also been dealt another blow with the news that Zach LaVine will miss the remainder of the season following surgery on his right hand, as reported earlier this month. Both players’ absences significantly diminish the Kings’ chances of improving their standing in the Western Conference.
As of Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Kings hold the worst record in the league at 12-44. The team has not yet announced a timeline for Sabonis’ recovery, but his surgery effectively ends his 2025-26 season.
