The Sacramento Kings season opener is upon fans, it won't be a good look at the 2025-2026 team thanks to an increasing number of injuries and illnesses. In addition to Murray and Sabonis, who will definitely be out, it's looking like Schroder and Jones will share the bench with them.
At this point, Sacramento fans are well aware of the tough preseason the Kings had. They went one and three, which was actually better than expected. At least one of those losses was competitive, so it was nearly two and two. When you're a Kings fan, you cling to any silver lining you can get.
What was less encouraging were the number of injuries that the Kings collected through the preseason to their starters. On top of that, there is some kind of illness running rampant through the roster, also benching players and a cause of preseason problems.
Kings on the bench
The season opener will see the Kings without Domantas Sabonis thanks to a preseason hamstring injury, though he should be back soon. Keegan Murray won't be back for a while, unfortunately, as his torn UCL will take weeks to heal up properly.
DeMar DeRozan missed the last preseason game due to a groin issue, and it hasn't been announced if he'll be back for the opener. Dennis Schroder may also miss the opener due to an ankle injury. He has been a non-contact participant in recent practices.
Dennis Schroder (left ankle) was a non-contact participant in today’s practice.
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 20, 2025
Isaac Jones is sick as well.
Making matters worse is the undisclosed illness plaguing the roster. It shut Malik Monk down for half of the preseason, and now it's caught up to Isaac Jones. While Monk's status for the opener has yet to be made official, it's looking quite likely that Jones will be out.
Kings' short-handed road opener
Sacramento will be opening the season on the road against the Phoenix Suns, and their starting five will be absolutely depleted. Sabonis, Murray, and likely Schroder will all be on the bench with injuries. DeRozan should play given his injury wasn't reported as being too serious.
If both Monk and Jones are down with the same illness, that could cause problems on the bench, as well. The Kings will have to field a more creative starting lineup, much like they did against the Lakers in the last game of the preseason and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
That was the only preseason game the Kings won. Players like Nique Clifford and Drew Eubanks held the line, and performed well. It could also be a chance to get Keon Ellis in the mix, who had one heck of a game to close out the preseason. Just don't start Saric, again.