Everything comes down to tonight. For Sacramento, it’s not just a regular game—it’s a gamble with their season and their future. A shot at redemption. A fight to stay alive. And maybe, just maybe, the moment that defines whether this Kings roster was ever built to last. They’ve been here before—too often, in fact. But after a chaotic season of highs, lows, and missed connections, the Play-In Tournament offers one more shot at control. One more chance to rewrite the narrative.
The Kings earned home court with a gutsy 109–98 win over Phoenix in the finale, but they limped into the Play-In going 5–11 in their final 16 games. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine haven’t completely clicked. Malik Monk’s calf strain stings. And yet, here they are—with a chance to reset the narrative.
Honestly, if the Kings want that shot at this, Domantas Sabonis will have to lead the way.
Sabonis In, But Sacramento’s Margin for Error Shrinks
Good news for Kings’ fans, Domantas Sabonis will suit up tonight—and for Sacramento, that changes everything. The league’s rebounding king (13.9 per game), triple-double threat, and floor general from the post, Sabonis, is the heartbeat of the Kings’ system. His 61 double-doubles this season speak volumes, but it’s his role as a stabilizer in high-stakes games that matters most tonight.
In three games against Dallas this season, Sabonis put up monster numbers, averaging over 15 rebounds and anchoring the offense with sharp passing. But more than stats, he brings composure. In a pressure-cooker game, that’s gold.
But the Kings are shorthanded. Sixth Man of the Year finalist Malik Monk is out with a left calf strain, leaving a gaping hole in Sacramento’s bench production. Monk’s 15.4 PPG and fearless scoring made him a closer in crunch time. Without him, the Kings lose their firestarter. Jake LaRavia is also sidelined with a thumb injury, which chips away at their depth even further.
Sacramento Kings Injury Report vs. Dallas Mavericks:
Jake LaRavia: Out (Left Thumb Sprain Incomplete Scaphoid Fracture)
Malik Monk: Out (Left Calf Strain)
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) April 15, 2025
Dallas isn’t exactly healthy either. Kyrie Irving is out for the season, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper (wrist) is also unavailable. Meanwhile, two key Mavericks remain questionable: Anthony Davis (adductor strain) and Brandon Williams (oblique). Their availability could drastically reshape the matchup. If two or more of those names sit, Sacramento’s odds improve dramatically.
All Eyes on Sabonis as Kings Seek Redemption
In today’s high-stakes game, Sabonis doesn’t just need to show up—he needs to dominate. Because tonight is about more than just stats. It’s about proving that the Kings aren’t built to fade.
Coach Doug Christie laid it out in one line: “It’s not a hand. It’s a fist.” The Kings have talent, but they’ve lacked cohesion. That has to change. Tonight.
Sabonis is the one who can make that happen. His duel with Anthony Davis (if he plays) will be pivotal. The two have history—Sabonis once dominated Davis 10-0 head-to-head. Now, Davis has won the last four meetings. That psychological edge matters. So does the fact that Davis is playing power forward in Dallas’ system, staying near the paint, disrupting Sabonis’ driving and passing lanes.
Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan. | Via NBA.com
The Kings swept the Mavs 3–0 in the regular season. But Play-In basketball is different. It’s slower. Grittier. And full of overreactions.
Zach LaVine and Keegan Murray need to stretch the floor. Keon Ellis will be tasked with hounding Dinwiddie on defense. But it all comes back to Sabonis. If he controls the glass and keeps the ball moving, Sacramento survives. If not? The offseason arrives early—and that top-12 protected pick likely heads to Atlanta.
This is a pressure test—for Sabonis, for DeRozan, for the Kings’ front office. They gambled on this core. Now it’s time to prove it’s worth believing in.
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