Sacramento fans are both looking forward to the 2025-2026 season and are incredibly concerned about it. The first few games can set the tone for the rest of the year, and the Kings are going to get off to a weird start thanks to injuries, illnesses, and an unbalanced, aging roster.
It all started a couple of weeks ago when Keegan Murray had to leave a preseason game early due to a UCL injury to his left thumb. He underwent surgery and is expected to spend up to six weeks recovering. This means he will miss the first few regular-season games.
Things only got worse when Domantas Sabonis hurt his hamstring and also had to leave a preseason game early. Fortunately, his injury wasn't as serious as Murray's, and he'll only be out for a week or two. That still means he'll miss at least the regular season opener, if not more.
On top of that, DeMar DeRozan has an injured groin, which was supposed to be minor, yet he still missed a preseason game. And Malik Monk has been so sick that he has missed multiple practices as well as a pair of preseason games himself. The season opener could look really odd.
An unintentional new look Kings
Murray and Sabonis will definitely be out for the season opener, with DeRozan and Monk also possible scratches, depending on how they're feeling. To be completely honest, there's no way of telling how long it will be until the Kings are at full strength on their starting lineup or the bench.
Sacramento is going to start the 2025-2026 season in a surprisingly strange place, likely running a similar offbeat starting five to the final preseason game. It was Sacramento's only preseason victory, so that necessarily unique crew of starters worked out.
Keeping that in mind, the Kings will eventually get back to full strength. That doesn't mean things are going to be better this season. Sacramento still has an unbalanced roster that is the third-oldest in the league. It's hard to see how that plays out well for the Kings in the long run.
With the signing of Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine at his best, and a solid crew of young players, fans want to be optimistic about this season. But reality will set in at some point, and Sactown's faithful supporters are likely in for a rough ride as 2025-2026 progresses.