Just minutes after announcing that two-time All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis would be sidelined for at least a week due to a grade one left hamstring sprain, the Sacramento Kings moved quickly to add temporary frontcourt depth.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Kings are signing Skal Labissière to a 10-day contract. A former first-round pick by Sacramento in 2016, Labissière has spent the past two seasons with their G-League affiliate, the Stockton Kings.
During his time in the G League, Labissière earned a spot in the Next Up Game, the league’s All-Star equivalent.
This season, through 20 regular-season games with Stockton, he is averaging 16.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 28.1 minutes per game.
Labissière has showcased an intriguing offensive skill set at 6’10″, converting 59.4% of his field goal attempts this season, including 34.0% from three on 2.7 attempts per game.
With Sabonis expected to be out for at least a week, Jonas Valančiūnas is expected to take over as the starting center. However, Labissière could see some minutes if interim head coach Doug Christie opts against using forward Trey Lyles as the primary big man in the second unit.
Already facing the second-toughest remaining schedule in the 2024-25 season, the Kings now have to stay competitive without their star center. Sabonis grabbed at his hamstring less than two minutes into Saturday night’s game in Houston, prompting Christie to call a timeout. He did not return.
The Kings later confirmed that Sabonis suffered a grade one left hamstring strain, stating, “Sabonis will be listed as out and an update will be provided in one week.”
