It's been a rough ride for the Beam Team lately. Honestly, if you’ve been following the Sacramento Kings injury report this season, you know it feels more like a medical journal than a basketball ledger. We’re deep into January 2026, and the vibe around Golden 1 Center is... let's call it "cautiously optimistic" but mostly exhausted.
The Sabonis Situation: A Sigh of Relief
Basically, the biggest news of the month just dropped. Domantas Sabonis is finally back. After missing 27 straight games with a partially torn meniscus in his left knee, the big man made his return on January 16th against the Washington Wizards.
People were worried. Seriously worried. There was all this talk about whether he’d go under the knife, which would’ve likely ended his season. Instead, he opted for the conservative rehab route. He spent two months strengthening that knee, and even though he’s probably on a minutes restriction for the next week or two, having him back changes everything.
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The Kings are 11-30. It’s not pretty. But they’re actually on a four-game winning streak as of tonight. Getting your three-time All-Star back while the team is finally finding some rhythm? That's a massive momentum shift.
Who’s Still Out? The Keegan Murray Hole
Don't get too comfortable, though. The Sacramento Kings injury report for tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers still has some glaring holes.
Keegan Murray is still on the shelf. He’s dealing with a left ankle sprain that he picked up back on January 5th. It’s a bummer because Murray is arguably their best on-ball defender. The team is currently 8-15 without him, which tells you everything you need to know about his impact on the floor. Rumor has it he might be eyeing a return around early February, maybe the 4th, but the team is being super tight-lipped about the exact timetable.
Then there's Keon Ellis. This one is frustrating. He was originally listed as questionable with left knee soreness, but the latest update has him downgraded to OUT for the second straight game. Losing Ellis and Murray at the same time is a nightmare for Doug Christie’s defensive schemes. You’re basically losing your two best perimeter stoppers.
Navigating the G League Shuffle
Beyond the main rotation, you’ve got the usual G League assignments that clutter up the official reports. Daeqwon Plowden and Isaiah Stevens are both listed as out because they’re with the Stockton Kings.
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It’s easy to ignore those names, but when your bench is as thin as Sacramento's has been this winter, you start noticing when those two-way guys aren't available to soak up garbage time minutes or provide emergency depth.
Current Roster Status at a Glance
For those checking their fantasy lineups or betting slips, here is the raw reality for the Sunday night tip-off:
- Domantas Sabonis (C): AVAILABLE. (First game back was Jan 16, expect 25-30 mins).
- Keegan Murray (F): OUT. (Left ankle sprain, no firm return date).
- Keon Ellis (G): OUT. (Left knee soreness).
- Dennis Schroder (G): AVAILABLE. (He’s back after that three-game suspension from the Luka Doncic incident).
- Isaiah Stevens (G): OUT. (G League).
- Daeqwon Plowden (G/F): OUT. (G League).
Why the Rotation Looks So Weird
With Murray and Ellis out, the Kings have been forced into some "mad scientist" lineups. You’re seeing a lot more of Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook playing together than anyone probably intended at the start of the season.
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Honestly, the addition of Westbrook and Zach LaVine earlier in the cycle was supposed to provide scoring punch, but without the defensive anchor of Murray, the Kings have been leaking points like a sieve. They’re giving up about 115 points per game. That’s bottom-tier territory.
The rookies, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell, have been getting thrown into the fire. Raynaud actually looked decent while Sabonis was out, but he’ll likely see his minutes slashed now that the "big fella" is back in the rotation.
What This Means for the Blazers Game
Portland is coming in shorthanded too. Scoot Henderson is out with a hamstring tear, and Deni Avdija—who’s having an All-Star caliber year—is a game-time decision with back issues.
If the Kings can exploit a weakened Blazers backcourt, they might actually push this winning streak to five. It’s wild to think a team 19 games under .500 could be the hottest team in the West for a week, but that’s the 2026 NBA for you.
The Long-Term Outlook
Looking at the Sacramento Kings injury report long-term, the focus is entirely on Keegan Murray’s ankle. If he’s back by the All-Star break, the Kings have a legitimate, if slim, chance to claw back into the Play-In conversation.
They need to be careful, though. Rushing Murray back could lead to a lingering issue that ruins his 2026-27 campaign. Given the current record, the front office might be tempted to just play it safe and let the young guys like Nique Clifford get more run.
Actionable Steps for Kings Fans
If you're tracking the roster for updates, keep an eye on the 1:30 PM PT injury filings on game days. The NBA's official portal is the only place that's 100% accurate, as "questionable" tags often flip to "out" right before warmups.
Monitor the minutes for Sabonis over the next three games. If he jumps from 24 to 34 minutes without any swelling reported the next day, it’s a sign the medical staff is confident in the meniscus rehab. Finally, watch the trade wires; with the deadline approaching in February, a team with this many injury woes and a 11-30 record is a prime candidate for a "sell-high" move on veterans like DeMar DeRozan or Dario Saric.