Kings center Domantas Sabonis returned from one injury in the first half only to suffer a more serious injury in the second half of Monday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Sabonis went to the locker room to get stitches after suffering a bloody gash above his left eye less than three minutes into the game. He returned in the second quarter but left again after rolling his right ankle in the first minute of the second half.
Sabonis went down after stepping on Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells’ foot on a driving layup attempt with 11:09 to play in the third quarter. Sabonis immediately motioned to the bench for attention from the team’s medical staff while writhing in pain under the basket.
Sabonis was seen limping badly and appeared to collapse in the tunnel as he was helped to the locker room. A short time later, the Kings announced Sabonis would not return to the game.
Sabonis recently returned to the lineup after missing six games with a strained left hamstring. Another extended absence could be devastating for the Kings as they try to secure a play-in spot in the Western Conference.
Sabonis has appeared in 58 games this season, averaging 19.4 points, 14.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 59.2% from the field and 42.5% from 3-point range. He needs to play in seven of Sacramento’s last 15 games to qualify for All-NBA honors.