By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Sacramento Kings are ramping up for the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season, and a healthy Domantas Sabonis is central to their plans. The Lithuanian forward-center is entering his 11th year in the league. He wants to bounce back after injuries limited him to just 19 appearances last year.
To ensure he was ready, Sacramento took a cautious approach during the Preseason 2026. The Portland native played only the opening and final games of the schedule, averaging 9.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per contest. “We were just taking it slow,” he explained after team practice on Sunday. “I was getting in my work, and the plan was to play the first one, finish on the last one.”
Getting back into game shape presented unique challenges after the extended layoff. “It’s definitely more difficult than one would expect,” Sabonis admitted. “You’re obviously healthy, cleared 100%, and then once you get out there playing NBA live, there’s obviously little bumps and bruises that come up. Your body hasn’t been used to getting pushed or working at that load for eight full months.”
“I talk to refs”
He is also managing his physical style with game officials. Discussing his legal screens, he revealed how he keeps communication open. “I talk to the refs,” Sabonis noted. “I’m like, ‘I’ve been doing this for so many years, you know how I set screens, I’m doing them legal’.”
“Depending on the player, he’s going to flop or not,” continued the veteran big. “I’m just going to set it more strong, more solid.”
The officiating crews understand his reputation. “They’re like, ‘OK, we know Sabonis, so we’ll see’. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” he smiled.
The Kings now get a real test. They open their 2026–27 journey against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday. They then host the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center on Friday.
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