The Sacramento Kings announced Tuesday that Domantas Sabonis suffered a sternum contusion and is listed as questionable to play in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Initial X-rays showed clear results for Sabonis, though further testing could have determined this injury of him.
Draymond Green notably stomped on Sabonis’ chest during the final frame of the Kings’ Game 2 showdown against the Warriors. This reckless action came in from Green as his right leg was initially grappled by the Lithuanian center.
Sabonis went crouching in pain after the step made by Green in his mid-section. He was given a Technical Foul on the grab he made, while Green was eventually ejected with a Flagrant Foul 2.
The star big man still managed to finish the pivotal match, helping Sacramento to secure a 114-106 Game 2 victory with his 24 points, nine boards, and four assists. The Kings will travel to San Francisco occupying the driver’s seat, holding a 2-0 series edge against the defending champs.
The risky injury sustained by Sabonis may force coach Mike Brown and Sacramento to play him cautiously. As such, backup bigs Trey Lyles and Alex Len are performing impressively coming off the bench so far in this series.
The NBA just recently announced that Green is suspended without pay for the upcoming Game 3 given the conduct he made towards Sabonis, with his “history of unsportsmanlike acts” also playing a role in the decision by the league brass.
