<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/kings-news-domantas-sabonis-gets-100-real-about-playing-hurt-amid-brutal-skid');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kings’ Domantas Sabonis gets 100% real about playing hurt amid brutal skid');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kings-news-Domantas-Sabonis-gets-100-real-about-playing-hurt-amid-brutal-skid.jpg"></figure><h1>Kings’ Domantas Sabonis gets 100% real about playing hurt amid brutal skid</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T08:28:25-08:00">December 23rd, 8:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T08:28:25-08:00">December 23rd, 8:28am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Things continue to go from <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-jj-redick-reveals-why-kings-win-is-favorite-of-season">bad to worse</a> for the floundering Sacramento Kings. They fell flat on their faces on Sunday night during the second of a back-to-back as they suffered a 122-95 demolition at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. This defeat is their fourth in a row, knocking them down to 13-17 on the season, and in the loaded Western Conference, it is not easy to recover from this slow of a start.</p><p>It’s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/kings-news-domantas-sabonis-injury-report-pacers-sacramento-struggles">gut check time for the Kings</a>; this is no time to throw one’s hands up and concede even though they are falling off the Western Conference standings (they are currently at 13th). And for Domantas Sabonis, who has proven time and time again that he is as tough as nails, he knows that it’s necessary for him to power through anything that is ailing him to help the Kings snap out of their funk.</p><p>“We’re at this point where I can’t really rest, even if it’s hurting. We’ve got to try and win games and I feel like my team needs me,” Sabonis said in his postgame presser following their loss to the Pacers, via Brenden Nunes of Sactown Sports 1140.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Domantas Sabonis on tonight’s loss, moving forward, and his health:</p><p>Said he’s “pretty bruised up,” but will be okay.</p><p>“We’re at this point where I can’t really rest, even if it’s hurting. We’ve got to try and win games and I feel like my team needs me.” <a href="https://t.co/wKCtJd0cnI">pic.twitter.com/wKCtJd0cnI</a></p><p>— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendenNunesNBA/status/1871028672855244825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Indeed, the Kings don’t have much room for error, and while there may be some flaws in Sabonis’ game that has contributed to their team-wide struggles as of late, the 28-year-old has done more good than bad for the team and they will need him to be at his best if they were to snap out of this funk — ankle injury and all.</p><p>Sunday night was simply one to forget for the Kings. The entire team played poorly, including Sabonis, who shot an uncharacteristically inefficient 8-22 from the field. And while some rest would do Sabonis a world of good in preparation for the latter half of the season, the Kings cannot afford to fall any further, as they might have to make some tough decisions on the trade market if they do.</p><h2><b>Kings to become sellers on the trade market?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kings-center-Domantas-Sabonis-11-dunks.jpg"><figcaption>© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Kings managed to turn things around during the 2022-23 season, snapping a 17-year playoff drought and renewing the hopes of a fanbase that has long come to terms with the franchise’s inadequacy. But the Kings franchise has been experiencing a gradual decline over the past one and a half seasons, and it’s not looking like it’s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-kings-true-deaaron-fox-trade-stance">about to end anytime soon</a>.</p><p>This current Kings roster is lacking depth, and the addition of DeMar DeRozan hasn’t borne as much fruit as initially anticipated. And with De’Aaron Fox set to become a free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season, he could very well be on his way out of Sacramento if things continue to go downhill, and it could be good for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-deaaron-fox-agent-meets-with-kings">Kings to get ahead</a> of things by trying to get as much as they can for him on the trade market.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kings’ Domantas Sabonis gets 100% real about playing hurt amid brutal skid

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/kings-news-domantas-sabonis-injury-report-pacers-sacramento-struggles');   ga('set', 'title', 'Domantas Sabonis on injury report vs. Pacers amid Kings’ struggles');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kings-news-Domantas-Sabonis-on-injury-report-vs.-Pacers-amid-Sacramentos-struggles.jpg"></figure><h1>Domantas Sabonis on injury report vs. Pacers amid Kings’ struggles</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T13:19:21-08:00">December 22nd, 1:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T13:19:21-08:00">December 22nd, 1:19pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-deaaron-fox-agent-meets-with-kings">Sacramento Kings have been one of the most disappointing teams</a> in the NBA so far this season, and they’re looking to get back on track against the Indiana Pacers after three consecutive losses.</p><p>The Kings sit at just 13-16 on the season and are comfortably down to 12th in the Western Conference. There’s still plenty of season left, but the Kings would be wise to start cutting into that deficit in the standings sooner rather than later, and they can’t afford any injuries moving forward.</p><p>Sacramento got some bad news on Sunday when star big man Domantas Sabonis <a href="https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2024-12-22_02PM.pdf" rel="noopener">popped up on the injury report</a> before the Kings’ game against the Pacers. He is listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain.</p><p>If Sabonis is unable to go on Sunday night, expect backup center Alex Len to get a lot of minutes at that spot. Someone like Trey Lyles or even Keegan Murray could also get some minutes at the five in a small ball lineup.</p><p>Sabonis got a full workload just 24 hours ago in the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-anthony-davis-wife-roasted-him-nearly-blowing-kings-game">Kings’ 103-99 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers</a> on Saturday. In that game, Sabonis played 37 minutes and had a big impact, finishing the game with 19 points, 19 rebounds and five assists. Even though it wasn’t enough to get the win, Sabonis made his presence felt.</p><p>Sabonis has been very efficient as a scorer so far this season, averaging just over 21 points per game on 61.8% shooting. He has even upped his 3-point volume and is shooting almost 43% from deep on more than two attempts per game. Despite being the Kings’ third-leading scorer behind DeMar DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox, Sabonis has still been one of the most reliable options in the league on the offensive end.</p><p>Thankfully, it doesn’t look like Sabonis is going to miss any significant time due to his injury. However, all of the Kings’ games feel important due to their struggles so far this season, so they will want him back out there as soon as possible.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Domantas Sabonis on injury report vs. Pacers amid Kings’ struggles

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/kings-news-domantas-sabonis-among-3-key-players-injury-report-vs-lakers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Domantas Sabonis among 3 key Kings players on injury report vs. Lakers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kings-news-Domantas-Sabonis-among-3-key-players-on-injury-report-vs.-Lakers.jpg"></figure><h1>Domantas Sabonis among 3 key Kings players on injury report vs. Lakers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T10:12:10-08:00">December 19th, 10:12am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T10:12:25-08:00">December 19th, 10:12am</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>If there is one team in the Western Conference that definitely needs a win coming out of the NBA Cup break, it’s the Sacramento Kings. Then again, the Los Angeles Lakers could equally use a win given their struggles as a team this season. These two Western Conference foes will face off against one another on Thursday night, but the Kings may be short-handed due to Domantas Sabonis and others <a href="https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2024-12-19_12PM.pdf" rel="noopener">appearing on the injury report.</a></p><p>While they have not played since losing 130-129 on Monday night to the Denver Nuggets, the Kings could be without Sabonis, Keegan Murray, and Kevin Huerter when they host the Lakers on Thursday. All three players are listed as questionable to play with different injury designations.</p><p>Sabonis is currently dealing with a back contusion. He has not missed a game since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/kings-news-domantas-sabonis-demar-derozan-malik-monk-injury-return">dealing with back spasms in the middle of November</a>. Huerter is questionable due to a left AC joint sprain, and Murray is in danger of missing his second straight game with left ankle soreness.</p><p>Once again, Sabonis is putting together an All-Star campaign for the Kings. After shockingly being left off the All-Star roster a season ago, Sabonis should find himself heading to San Francisco this year as a result of averaging 21.5 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.</p><p>The Kings big man is one of six players in the league currently averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and his 23 total double-doubles leads the NBA.</p><p>Although the Kings have been among the best offensive teams in the league this season, not having Sabonis, Murray, and Huerter could be challenging for Sacramento, as these are three of their top six scorers.</p><p>The good news for the Kings is that De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan, their two top scorers, are not on the injury report and will be available to play against the Lakers. At the same time, missing Sabonis would be detrimental to the Kings’ chances of beating the Lakers due to how good Anthony Davis has been at scoring in the paint and grabbing rebounds.</p><p>It is worth noting that Lakers star <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-is-lebron-james-playing-kings-latest-injury-update">LeBron James is also on the injury report and listed as questionable</a> for this matchup against the Kings due to ongoing left foot problems he has been dealing with. If James is unable to go, the Kings’ chances of getting a key win will increase, regardless of whether their three players will be healthy.</p><p>Sacramento will provide further injury updates on Sabonis, Murray, and Huerter later on Thursday ahead of their game against Los Angeles.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Domantas Sabonis among 3 key Kings players on injury report vs. Lakers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/kings-news-why-domantas-sabonis-better-playmaker-nikola-jokic-mike-brown');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Domantas Sabonis is a better playmaker than Nikola Jokic, per Mike Brown');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Why-Domantas-Sabonis-is-a-better-playmaker-than-Nikola-Jokic-per-Mike-Brown-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Domantas Sabonis is a better playmaker than Nikola Jokic, per Mike Brown</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-12T10:50:25-08:00">December 12th, 10:50am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-12T10:52:10-08:00">December 12th, 10:52am</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>One of the most disrespected and looked-over stars in the NBA is Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis. When it comes to consistency and playing his role as the Kings’ second star next to De’Aaron Fox, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/exclusive-domantas-sabonis-kings-surprising-demar-derozan-addition-final-piece">Sabonis is the definition of perfection</a>. That is why Mike Brown loves his big man so much. However, Sabonis isn’t the only “do-it-all” center in the NBA, as Denver Nuggets three-time MVP Nikola Jokic surely takes the mantle of best big man in the league due to everything he can do.</p><p>There are a lot of similarities between Jokic and Sabonis. While Jokic is obviously the best player in the world right now, both big men help initiate their respective teams’ offenses. After all, they are the only players in the league averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists per game this season.</p><p>Perhaps the most intriguing statistics that connect Jokic and Sabonis are how many times they have the ball in their possession every game. In fact, among the top 25 players in total touches last season, Sabonis had the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42911487/nba-all-star-domantas-sabonis-legendary-father-arvydas-enormous-weight-legacy" rel="noopener">second-shortest average touch length</a>, behind only Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis, according to Baxter Holmes of ESPN. This is the reason why Brown believes Sabonis has an edge over Jokic.</p><p>“I’m not saying Domas is better than Jokic or anything like that,” Brown told Holmes. “But, to me that’s why Domas is a better playmaker than Jokic.”</p><p>Brown also went on to explain how Sabonis is utilized more as a point guard for the Kings than a center. Sabonis brings the ball up the court and initiates the offense on either side, regardless of what the opposing defense looks like.</p><p>While Jokic may be the best player in the NBA right now, Brown is sticking with his big man.</p><h2><b>Domantas Sabonis’ value to Kings</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Domantas-Sabonis-celebrating.jpg"><figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>When it comes to making plays for others and increasing the team’s overall ability on offense, Sabonis is exactly what the Kings hoped he would be alongside Fox.</p><p>The three-time All-Star is among the best passers in the league, not just at the center position, and he has been the best when it comes to grabbing rebounds. Sabonis has led the league in rebounds each of the last two seasons, and he set some video game-like numbers on the glass last season.</p><p>Aside from recording 77 double-doubles in 82 games last season, the most in the league, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/kings-news-domantas-sabonis-breaks-55-year-old-record-with-stunning-performance-vs-bucks">Sabonis set a new franchise record for consecutive double-doubles</a>, passing the great Jerry Lucas with 47 consecutive double-doubles during the 2023-24 season. The Kings big man also <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/kings-news-kevin-love-domantas-sabonis-double-double-reaction">surpassed Kevin Love’s 53 consecutive double-double mark</a>, giving Sabonis the longest streak with a double-double since the 1976-77 NBA/ABA merger.</p><p>Sabonis has proven to be one of the most impactful players in the entire NBA, which is why everyone in the Kings organization loves him. Whether or not Sabonis is better than Jokic in any category is open for discussion, but Brown and Sacramento are as happy as they can be with their All-Star center.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Domantas Sabonis is a better playmaker than Nikola Jokic, per Mike Brown

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/kings-news-domantas-sabonis-demar-derozan-malik-monk-injury-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kings’ Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk on verge of injury return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Domantas-Sabonis-DeMar-DeRozan-Malik-Monk-on-verge-of-injury-return.jpg"></figure><h1>Kings’ Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk on verge of injury return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-19T11:54:05-08:00">November 19th, 11:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-19T11:54:05-08:00">November 19th, 11:54am</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Sacramento Kings currently find themselves 8-7 on the season and in the middle of the pack when it comes to other teams fighting for positioning in the Western Conference standings. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/kings-news-deaaron-fox-follows-60-point-game-another-historic-explosion">De’Aaron Fox has been on an offensive tear as of late</a>, but this team’s full potential has been hampered by injury concerns that have forced Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk to miss time.</p><p>Whereas DeRozan has missed the team’s last three games with what is being labeled as lower back tightness, Sabonis has been sidelined for just the last two games with a lower back injury as well. Monk has missed the most time, as he’s been out five straight games with a moderate right ankle sprain he suffered against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 7 in Phoenix.</p><p>With Fox looking to get some help in order to ensure the success of this organization, it appears as if his prayers have been answered. Monk, who is a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/2024-25-nba-media-poll-full-picks-mvp-rookie-of-the-year-nba-finals-more">favorite for Sixth Man of the Year</a>, has been <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42474578/kings-monk-derozan-sabonis-cleared-court-work">cleared for individual on-court workouts</a> and will be reevaluated by the team’s medical staff in the coming days before returning to the court, according to Kendra Andrews of ESPN.</p><p>Both DeRozan and Sabonis have also been cleared to resume individual on-court activities, making the two All-Stars day-to-day and potentially able to return in the team’s next game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.</p><p>After losing by one point to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, the Kings have several days of rest before their matchup in Los Angeles. This gives Monk, DeRozan, and Sabonis plenty of time to potentially make their returns.</p><p>With this said, Kings head coach Mike Brown has made it clear that the <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article295768549.html" rel="noopener">team isn’t going to rush</a> any of their injured players back and instead focus on getting them to 100 percent over anything else.</p><p>“Obviously, we want our guys to be healthy,” head coach Mike Brown told reporters ahead of the team’s loss on Monday, according to Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. “Our medical team is going to keep doing what they’re doing, our guys are going to keep doing what they’re doing to get better, and when they come back, it will be great. Otherwise, we’ve got to have next man up tonight, embrace the small things and details, and try to get a win.”</p><p>It is clear to see why the Kings would struggle without Monk, DeRozan, and Sabonis, as these are three of their top five scoring options. DeRozan has been the most impactful scorer in Sacramento next to Fox, as the veteran has averaged 22.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 52.6 percent from the floor.</p><p>Despite the Kings lacking offensive production in recent games, Fox has really stepped up and answered the call. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/kings-news-deaaron-fox-historic-60-loss-timberwolves">Fox scored a career-high 60 points</a> in a 130-126 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, followed up by a 49-point performance in a four-point win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday.</p><p>Only Fox and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant have scored at least 109 points over a two-night span over the last 50 years. Wilt Chamberlain is the only player in league history to achieve such a feat, as he did so 15 times in his career. To keep things short, Wilt was simply unreal and put up video game-like numbers every time he took the court.</p><p>The Kings will provide clearer injury updates and timeframes for the potential returns of DeRozan, Sabonis, and Fox ahead of Friday night’s game against the Clippers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
21.1	13.5	6.0	0.4	0.8

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
21.1	13.5	6.0	0.4	0.8

Domantas Sabonis

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