The Sacramento Kings head to Portland short-handed, and the news is now official. The NBA’s final injury report for Sacramento at Portland lists two major absences: Zach LaVine is out with a left ankle sprain, and Domantas Sabonis is out with a left knee partial meniscus tear. It’s a tough blow for a team that leans on LaVine’s scoring and Sabonis’ core playmaking and rebounding.

There’s more. Keon Ellis appears as Questionable with right wrist soreness on team injury trackers, while Devin Carter (G League — On Assignment), Daeqwon Plowden (G League — Two-Way), and Drew Eubanks are all listed as Out on the NBA’s official PDF for SAC@POR. Add it up, and Sacramento’s depth will be tested across the board tonight.

What the final NBA injury report says

The league’s report locks in the statuses for tip-off. For the Kings, the headline is clear:

• Zach LaVine — Out (left ankle sprain).
• Domantas Sabonis — Out (left knee partial meniscus tear).
• Devin Carter — Out (G League — On Assignment).
• Drew Eubanks — Out (as listed on the NBA report).
• Daeqwon Plowden — Out (G League — Two-Way).
• Keon Ellis — Questionable (right wrist soreness) per team trackers.

These are not small pieces. LaVine is a high-usage scorer who bends defenses. Sabonis is the hub of the offense, touching the ball every trip, setting screens, and controlling the glass. The Kings will have to change both how they start possessions and how they finish them.

“No Sabonis touches and no LaVine buckets? That’s a different team overnight.”

How LaVine’s absence reshapes the perimeter

Without LaVine, Sacramento loses a clean, late-clock bucket getter. He can create off the dribble, hit tough jumpers, and force help. That gravity opens easy looks for teammates. In his absence, expect more by-committee creation. The ball will need to pop. Cuts must be sharper, spacing cleaner, and pace steadier. The Kings can still score, but they’ll have to work harder for advantages rather than relying on a star to tilt the floor.

This also affects transition. LaVine turns defense into offense with quick outlets and early threes. The Kings will need to value the ball, push when they can, and hunt good shots, not just fast shots.

“If the threes aren’t falling, where do the drives come from now?”

What losing Sabonis means in the middle

Sabonis’ left knee partial meniscus tear is not just a personnel note; it’s an identity note. He is the Kings’ interior engine. He screens, short-rolls, reads double teams, and is vital on the boards. Without him, Sacramento must rewire the offense from the elbows and the dunker spot. Expect fewer dribble handoffs and more straightforward pick-and-rolls or drive-and-kick actions.

On defense, the glass becomes a priority. Sabonis cleans possessions with rebounds and starts breaks with quick outlets. The Kings need a gang-rebound mindset: guards crack down, wings box out, and everyone secures the ball. If they lose the rebounding battle badly, Portland can control tempo and limit Sacramento’s rhythm.

Keon Ellis and the guard room

Keon Ellis carries a Questionable tag (right wrist soreness) on team trackers. If he’s available, his defense and energy matter even more tonight. If he can’t go, that’s extra pressure on ball-handling, point-of-attack defense, and second-unit balance. Sacramento will need clean rotations and quick communication to avoid giving Portland easy advantages in the backcourt.

“Ellis active swings the guard minutes; if he’s out, the rotation gets tight fast.”

Depth check: G League moves and the big-man question

The report also lists Devin Carter as out (G League — On Assignment) and Daeqwon Plowden as out (G League — Two-Way). These are typical moves for player development, but on a night with two headliners sidelined, every available body and skill set matters. Drew Eubanks is also listed as out on the NBA’s PDF, trimming frontcourt options further.

What does that mean? The Kings have to find rebounds, rim protection, and interior screens from whoever suits up. Even simple things like solid box-outs and verticality at the rim become game-swinging details when your primary big is unavailable.

Game plan implications vs. the Trail Blazers

Portland will see the same report and likely test the paint early, collapse on drives, and dare Sacramento to string together five-pass possessions. Expect the Blazers to crowd the lane on drives and switch selectively to keep the ball in front. For Sacramento, discipline is the counter: patient offense, drive-and-kick to the second side, and quick decisions rather than sticky isolations.

Defensively, limiting second-chance points will be vital. One-and-done possessions help Sacramento run and simplify the game. If the Kings can control turnovers and rebound by committee, they can still dictate stretches even without their two stars.

Zooming out: December availability that matters in April

The NBA year is long, and nights like this can shape seeds later. The Kings do not have to be perfect; they have to be connected. This is the kind of game that tests system and depth. Can the offense still hum without the central hub? Can the defense finish plays without its best rebounder?

It’s also a chance for opportunity minutes. When stars sit, roles expand. The key is to keep the team’s identity clear: smart pace, purposeful spacing, and trust in the pass. If Sacramento gets to their shots on time and on target, they will give themselves a real chance on the road.

The bottom line

Per the NBA’s official report, Zach LaVine (left ankle sprain) and Domantas Sabonis (left knee partial meniscus tear) are out for the Kings against the Trail Blazers. Keon Ellis is Questionable (right wrist soreness) on team trackers. Devin Carter (G League — On Assignment), Daeqwon Plowden (G League — Two-Way), and Drew Eubanks are out.

It’s a reshuffle night in Portland. If Sacramento wins the possession game, shares the ball, and stays sharp on defense, they can still write the story they want—even without two of their biggest names.