The final injury sheets are in, and they reshape Friday’s Kings vs Celtics matchup. Sacramento has ruled out All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis for left knee injury management on the second night of a back-to-back. Boston will be without Jaylen Brown, who is sidelined by left hamstring tightness and a right knee contusion. Jayson Tatum remains out as he continues to recover from right Achilles repair.

It’s a lot to absorb for two teams pulling in different directions. Boston is 29-18 and sitting third in the East. Sacramento is fighting to halt a seven-game slide after pushing the 76ers to the wire on Thursday. The absences tug at both lineups and put role players squarely in the spotlight.

Final injury report: who’s in, who’s out

The two teams confirmed the following ahead of tip-off:

• Kings OUT: Domantas Sabonis (left knee injury management), Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain), Russell Westbrook (right foot soreness)
• Kings IN: Malik Monk (returns after missing the 76ers game)
• Celtics OUT: Jaylen Brown (left hamstring tightness, right knee contusion), Jayson Tatum (right Achilles repair)
• Celtics IN: Neemias Queta (available)

The news was bluntly put in the final update: “Sacramento has ruled out Sabonis due to knee injury management as they will elect to sit him on the second night of their back-to-back.” Boston’s side was just as clear on Brown and Tatum.

Why Sabonis sits: the bigger picture on his knee

Sabonis’ absence is not a surprise to the training staff or the schedule. He has a history with this left knee dating back to mid-November, when a partial meniscus tear cost him a significant chunk of the season. He missed 27 games during that stretch, a timeline that was once framed as “4-to-5 weeks” but ultimately extended as the team erred on the side of caution.

Since returning, Sacramento has managed his workload carefully. There have been staggered nights off and “injury maintenance” scratches mixed in with games he was cleared to play. In fact, recent updates have toggled between “available” statuses and rest decisions, including one instance noting he’d play a Friday game after sitting earlier in the week for knee maintenance.

With a back-to-back on the calendar, the Kings chose the conservative route. For a franchise trying to stop a skid without losing sight of the long term, this is logical. A healthy Sabonis powers their offense and rebounding. A rushed Sabonis puts the rest of the season at risk.

“If they want Sabonis in April, you manage him in January.”

Celtics without Brown and Tatum: what changes

Boston has been resilient. The Celtics are 2-1 without Jaylen Brown this season, and their 29-18 record shows they’re built to absorb hits. But missing both Brown and Tatum takes away a huge share of scoring, shot creation, and late-game options.

Brown is dealing with left hamstring tightness and a right knee contusion, a combination the team won’t push on a regular-season night. Tatum remains out as he recovers from right Achilles repair. The upshot: more ball-handling and shots for Boston’s supporting cast, and likely a heavier workload for the front line. Big man Neemias Queta being available gives the Celtics another body for screens, rim protection, and second-chance chances.

“No Brown, no Tatum. Let’s see if Boston’s depth is as real as the record.”

Monk returns, but Kings’ depth is still stretched

There is good news for Sacramento: Malik Monk returns after missing Thursday’s game against the 76ers. The Kings nearly stole that one despite missing Monk, Russell Westbrook, and Keegan Murray. Fresh legs and Monk’s scoring pop help.

Still, with Sabonis out and Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain) and Russell Westbrook (right foot soreness) sidelined, Sacramento’s rotation is thin. They will need committee work on the glass and simple offense to keep the turnovers down. The focus becomes paint defense, one-and-done stops, and quick decisions on the other end.

Context matters: the Kings are stuck in a seven-game losing streak. A disciplined outing, even against a short-handed Boston, can reset the mood. But without Sabonis’ playmaking from the elbow and his screening, touches must be smarter and spacing cleaner.

“Monk’s back, but who wins the boards without Domas?”

Matchups and trends to watch

• Rebounding battle: Sabonis is an elite rebounder. Without him, the Kings need bodies on every box-out. Boston’s extra size and Queta’s availability could tilt the margins.
• Shot creation: Boston loses two stars, so expect more drive-and-kick and set plays to free shooters. Sacramento must stay home on corners and avoid over-helping.
• Tempo control: The Kings are better when the ball moves fast and simple. Short-handed, that means quick hits, not hero ball.
• Foul discipline: With rotations tight, cheap fouls become costly. Keep hands back, defend vertically, and live with contested twos.

Big picture

Both teams are making smart, careful calls in January to protect what matters later. Sabonis’ knee has been a season-long management story, and sitting the second night of a back-to-back aligns with that plan. Brown’s hamstring tightness and knee contusion are not issues Boston will test in a standard regular-season spot, especially with Tatum still out.

For the Celtics, the priority is maintaining pace in the East while getting healthy. At 29-18, they’re well-placed and have shown they can win shorthanded. For the Kings, the goal is to stop the skid and rediscover rhythm. Thursday’s fight in Philadelphia offered a spark. Monk’s return adds another. The rest has to come from focus and collective effort.

Injury reports don’t just set expectations. They set identity. Tonight, we learn which team can stay true to theirs while missing their stars.