Domantas Sabonis expressed regret after his flagrant foul on Jayson Tatum during the Sacramento Kings’ 113-95 loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday night. The Kings’ center stepped on Tatum’s ankle in the third quarter, leading to a Flagrant 1 call and forcing the Celtics star to leave the game.
“I feel horrible, you know,” Sabonis told reporters, per NBC Sports Bay Area. “I’ve had a crazy month myself personally, you know, and you never want that to happen… So I apologize.”
Tatum had already scored 25 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out eight assists before exiting. He is now listed as doubtful for Boston’s upcoming game against the Phoenix Suns.
Despite Tatum’s absence, the Celtics maintained control, extending their winning streak to six games. Kristaps Porzingis, who returned after missing Sunday’s game, added 16 points and seven rebounds. Payton Pritchard led Boston’s bench with 20 points, while Derrick White recorded 12 points and eight assists.
Sacramento struggled offensively, managing just 17 points in the fourth quarter. Sabonis finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds in his return from an ankle injury, while DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 20 points and 10 assists. Keon Ellis and Zach LaVine each contributed 14 points.
Boston’s three-point shooting proved to be the difference, as the team connected on 19 shots from beyond the arc. The Celtics have now hit double-digit threes in 70 of their 72 games this season.
The Kings will look to bounce back quickly with a matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Boston, now 53-19 and second in the Eastern Conference, continues its road trip with hopes of keeping its momentum alive.
