All Heart: Sabonis Reveals He Battled Through Torn Meniscus in 'Toughest Season' Yet
All Heart: Sabonis Reveals He Battled Through Torn Meniscus in 'Toughest Season' Yet
Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis has finally broken his silence on the devastating knee injury that derailed his 2025-26 campaign. In a revealing exit interview following the conclusion of the regular season, Sabonis disclosed that he had been battling through a torn left meniscus for weeks before finally succumbing to season-ending surgery in February. The two-time All-NBA center expressed that this was the most difficult season of his career, not just because of the physical pain, but the mental toll of watching his team struggle from the sidelines.
Sabonis revealed that the injury originally occurred during a home game against the Lakers early in the season. True to his reputation as one of the league's toughest players, he attempted to play through the discomfort, undergoing intensive rehab in hopes of avoiding the knife. Ultimately, after six games of diminished mobility and increasing pain, medical staff determined that surgery was the only viable path to long-term health. The procedure, performed in mid-February, ended a season in which Sabonis appeared in only 19 games, leaving a massive void in the Kings' rotation.
A Disastrous Season in Sacramento
The Kings' 2025-26 season has been nothing short of a nightmare. Finishing with a dismal 22-60 record, Sacramento landed 14th in the Western Conference, narrowly avoiding a franchise record for losses. The injury bug didn't stop with Sabonis; the roster was decimated by ailments to DeMar DeRozan (hamstring), Malik Monk (personal/injury), and Zach LaVine, who also underwent season-ending surgery. Even late-season addition Russell Westbrook missed the final 11 games of the year with a toe injury.
Despite the win-loss record, Sabonis remains optimistic about the future. He noted that the surgery was a success and that his "Wolverine-like" recovery powers have him ahead of schedule for the 2026-27 season opener. "Surgery went great, and I'll have a better knee than I did before," Sabonis told reporters, emphasizing his commitment to returning to All-NBA form.
Maxime Raynaud: The Silver Lining
If there was one bright spot in the Kings' "lost season," it was the emergence of rookie center Maxime Raynaud. Drafted 42nd overall, the Frenchman stepped into the starting role vacated by Sabonis and delivered historic numbers. Raynaud averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds over 74 games, becoming the first second-round pick in NBA history to average 12+ points and 7+ rebounds while shooting over 55% from the field. Sabonis was quick to praise his protégé, noting that Raynaud's growth in the pick-and-roll and his improving perimeter game were the primary highlights of the season.
Team Stats and Last Game Results
The Kings closed their season on April 12 with a 110-122 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The game was a microcosm of their season—shorthanded and struggling to find defensive stops. Key stats from the 2025-26 Kings campaign include:
- Record: 22-60 (14th in West)
- Offensive Rating: 111.4 (26th in NBA)
- Defensive Rating: 121.5 (28th in NBA)
- Leading Scorer: DeMar DeRozan (21.2 PPG in 77 games)
- Rookie Standout: Maxime Raynaud (Named Rookie of the Month for March 2026)
As the front office heads into a critical summer, the focus remains on the health of Sabonis and the development of their young core. With a high draft pick looming, Sacramento hopes the 2026-27 season will mark a return to relevance.
