Honestly, looking at the sac kings injury report today, you’d think the season was a total wash. We are talking about a roster that looks more like a hospital wing than a professional basketball team right now.
But somehow? They’ve won two straight.
It’s weird. It’s chaotic. It’s Sacramento basketball in 2026. If you’re checking the status of the squad before tonight’s matchup against the New York Knicks at the Golden 1 Center, grab a coffee. You’re going to need to keep track of a lot of moving parts, including a partial meniscus tear and a weirdly timed league suspension.
The Big Names on the Sidelines
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first because it’s heavy. Domantas Sabonis is out. He’s been dealing with a left knee injury—specifically a partial meniscus tear—that has kept him off the floor since late 2025. The latest word from the Kings' medical staff is that he’s likely out until at least January 18th. Missing a guy who gives you a nightly double-double is usually a death sentence, but the Kings are scraping by.
Then there is Keegan Murray.
Keegan just can’t catch a break this year. After already dealing with thumb surgery and calf issues earlier in the season, he’s now sidelined with a moderate left ankle sprain. He went down in the third quarter against Milwaukee a little over a week ago, and the MRI wasn't kind. He’s officially out and won't even be re-evaluated for another couple of weeks. Expect him back around early February if everything goes perfectly.
The Suspension Situation
As if the injuries weren't enough, the Kings are also missing Dennis Schröder today. He isn't hurt; he's serving a three-game league suspension. It’s a huge blow to the backcourt depth, especially with the team sitting at a 10-30 record. However, as we saw in the last two games, this specific absence might have accidentally unlocked the best version of this current roster.
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Who is Stepping Up?
When the stars go down, the "others" have to show up. And boy, have they.
Malik Monk is basically the king of Sacramento right now. With Schröder out and the offense needing a spark, Monk has gone nuclear. He dropped 26 points and 7 threes against the Lakers on Monday. It was vintage Monk—loud, fast, and completely fearless. There’s a lot of talk about him being on the trade block since the team is clearly heading toward a rebuild, but for today, he’s the engine.
The New Look Rotation
Without Sabonis and Murray, Doug Christie has had to get creative. Maxime Raynaud, the rookie center out of Stanford, has been thrown into the deep end. At 7-foot-1, he's providing some much-needed size, even if he's still learning the speed of the NBA game. Alongside him, Precious Achiuwa has been a monster on the boards, picking up the slack that Sabonis left behind.
And we can’t forget DeMar DeRozan.
The man is 36 years old and still playing 33+ minutes a night. He just hit the 26,000 career points milestone. In a season where everything feels like it’s falling apart, DeRozan is the steady hand. He’s taking those mid-range jumpers that make analytics people cry but make Kings fans cheer.
What to Watch for Tonight Against the Knicks
The Knicks are coming in relatively healthy, with only Landry Shamet (shoulder) listed as out. This means the Kings are going to be severely outmatched in the paint. Karl-Anthony Towns is going to be a massive problem for Raynaud and Achiuwa.
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The sac kings injury report today essentially forces Sacramento to play small and fast. If they try to grind it out in a half-court set against New York, they’ll lose by 20. Their only hope is to let Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook (who is also seeing increased run) turn the game into a track meet.
- Point Guard: Russell Westbrook / Keon Ellis
- Shooting Guard: Malik Monk / Nique Clifford
- Small Forward: DeMar DeRozan
- Power Forward: Precious Achiuwa
- Center: Maxime Raynaud
It’s a bizarre lineup. You’ve got two guys who were superstars in 2017, a couple of rookies, and a journeyman. But it worked against the Lakers, and it worked against the Rockets.
Reality Check: The Playoff Picture
Let’s be real for a second. At 10-30, the Kings aren’t making a push for the Larry O'Brien trophy this year. The mounting injuries to Sabonis and Murray have pretty much cemented their spot in the high-lottery hunt.
The strategy right now seems to be two-fold:
- Develop the young guys like Raynaud and Clifford.
- Showcase vets like Malik Monk for potential trades before the February 5th deadline.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that finally tasted the playoffs a couple of years ago, but the injury luck just hasn't been there.
Actionable Insights for Kings Fans
If you're following the team or managing a fantasy roster, here is how you should handle the current situation:
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Pick up Malik Monk immediately. With Schröder suspended and the stars out, Monk is the primary option. His usage rate is through the roof. Even if he gets traded, his value is peaking right now.
Watch the "Re-evaluation" dates.
Don't expect Sabonis back before the 18th, and keep a close eye on the news around the 17th. If the Kings stay in "tank mode," they might be very cautious with his return. As for Keegan Murray, he is a "drop" in most shallow fantasy leagues because he won't be back until February.
Expect a Trade.
The trade deadline is February 5th. With the way the injury report looks and the current record, this roster will likely look very different in three weeks.
Check the official NBA injury portal about two hours before tip-off for the final "Active/Inactive" list, as Isaiah Stevens is currently a game-time decision with some hamstring tightness.
Keep an eye on the beam tonight—it might just stay lit if Monk stays hot.