How The Sacramento Kings Will Fare Without Darren Collison
By Rafe Wong
The injury bug continues to hit Sacramento as Darren Collison is reported out for Monday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs with a hamstring injury.
Although reported out just for the Spurs game at the moment, Collison’s injury looks to have him sidelined even longer. Written in James Ham’s article, it is reported that Collison’s MRI results were “not good”, and that there is no concrete timetable for the Kings point guard to return back to action.
Collison is no DeMarcus Cousins, but this is still a big blow for the Kings, who are struggling already at the moment. Collison, in my opinion, has been the most consistent and productive player for the Kings so far this season (aside from Cousins), and his production on both ends of the court (15.8 PPG/5.2 APG/16.62 PER per ESPN) will definitely be missed.
More from Kings News
- 3 Ways Chris Duarte improves the Kings chances in 2023-24
- Bleacher Report crazily lists Kings’ All-Star as “most overrated NBA player”
- Kings and Heat fans clash on Twitter to debate All-Star players
- Sacramento Kings’ Chris Duarte playing in 2023 FIBA World Cup
- 3 Young players the Kings must develop, 2 to give up on
While Collison is out, the Kings will have to rely on their other guards to step up. Expect players like Seth Curry (who is battling an injury of his own), Ben McLemore, Marco Belinelli, and Rajon Rondo to fill in the minutes that Collison would originally be slotted to play.
More from A Royal Pain
- 3 Ways Chris Duarte improves the Kings chances in 2023-24
- 5 Players the Sacramento Kings never should have signed
- Bleacher Report crazily lists Kings’ All-Star as “most overrated NBA player”
- Kings and Heat fans clash on Twitter to debate All-Star players
- Sacramento Kings’ Chris Duarte playing in 2023 FIBA World Cup
I also think the Kings could make a move to bring someone up from the Reno Bighorns. Right now on the current roster, Collison and Rondo are the only labeled point guards on the team’s depth chart, so calling someone up from the D-League to provide more depth is definitely an option to consider (Marshall Henderson?).
Overall, Collison’s injury is a major setback for the Kings because the production that he brings on both offense and defense will definitely be a challenge for George Karl to replace during his absence.
However, to end on a bright note, it looks like Cousins’ recovery from his achilles strain is progressing, and is likely to suit up for tomorrow’s game against the Spurs.