The Sacramento Kings are set to begin their 2025-26 NBA season on Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns, albeit without two key starters. Keegan Murray, who is recovering from surgery to repair a UCL tear in his left thumb, will miss at least the first few weeks of the season. Domantas Sabonis is also sidelined due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Despite these setbacks, the Kings are determined to push forward.
Head coach Doug Christie faces the challenge of filling the gap left by Sabonis, whose absence will require a collective effort from the team. Veteran center Drew Eubanks is expected to start in his place. Eubanks has experience from his time with the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers, as well as a notable stint with the Portland Trail Blazers where he averaged 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds across 22 games. Other players like Isaac Jones, a standout from the 2025 NBA Summer League, and rookie 7-footer Maxime Raynaud could also be given an opportunity on the court.
As for the expected rotation, it remains a key question for the team. Assuming a healthy roster, the Kings’ starting lineup is anticipated to feature Dennis Schröder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Murray, and Sabonis when he returns. Former MVP Russell Westbrook is set to lead the second unit, but the distribution of minutes among players like Malik Monk and Keon Ellis is still uncertain.
Ellis, who has shown promise since being undrafted in 2022, may be in line for a contract extension with the team. Last season, he averaged 8.3 points while demonstrating strong shooting percentages. His desire to remain in Sacramento reinforces his importance to the Kings.
Predicting the Kings’ seed in the competitive Western Conference poses another challenge. With significant offseason moves and the presence of powerhouse teams, experts speculate the Kings could end up in the No. 9 or No. 10 Play-In range. However, the talent brought in, particularly the experience of Westbrook and Schröder, gives the team hope for a stronger postseason performance.
As the Kings prepare to kick off the season in Phoenix, they are driven by the motivation to overcome adversity and prove their capability on the court. The journey begins now, with high hopes for a successful campaign ahead.