By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After sitting out 27 games of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, Domantas Sabonis was back for the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Contributions to a home win over the Washington Wizards amounted to 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, one block, and one steal over 21 minutes.
Following the game in Golden 1 Center, the 29-year-old Lithuanian forward/center rushed to thank the fans for their energy, but also briefly entered details about his recovery from a left knee partial meniscus tear.
“I dodged a bullet,” he stressed in a postgame press conference. “I’m just thankful I get to be here tonight and play in front of the fans. I was scared there for a second, but we’re here today, and, hopefully, knock on wood, everything keeps going good.”
“I could have been out for a lot longer. I don’t want to speak about it. I’m just happy we’re here today,” he responded to a separate question about overcoming a close call in the injury setback.
Feels Good To Be Back!! pic.twitter.com/dxfJbkef2q
— Domantas Sabonis (@Dsabonis11) January 17, 2026
In late November, he was initially ruled out for at least three to four weeks, but Sabonis, a former Gonzaga standout in the NCAA and veteran of 678 NBA games, ended up sidelined for two months.
“It was hard. There were ups and downs. Some weeks it went better. Then, a couple of days, it got bad. Even right before this, it was just up and down,” he mentioned.
“I’m going to try and play every game I can. So, I’m just happy I was able to play tonight, and you really miss it when you’re gone for so long,” he added, moving on from the injury.
— Domantas Sabonis (@Dsabonis11) January 17, 2026
The next outing for the team coached by Doug Christie, the fifth part in a seven-game homestand, is against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. A 12-30 season tally is currently distanced 6.5 games from the Play-In area of the Western Conference.
In addition to complicated situations between his health and the standings, Sabonis has also been linked to trade rumors heading to the league deadline on February 5.