Kings Centers Face Injuries Before Season Opener
Sacramento Kings centers Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud will miss the upcoming season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Basketball
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Do you trust your local team to maintain competitiveness despite significant early-season roster injuries?
Sacramento Kings centers Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud are set to miss the October 21, 2026, season opener due to injuries. The team must rely on Domantas Sabonis following the diagnosis of a right patellar subluxation for Raynaud and a left calf strain for Cardwell.
Why it matters
The loss of two key rotational players presents a significant roster challenge for Sacramento as they prepare for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. Both players will remain sidelined while undergoing a re-evaluation process scheduled for two weeks.
Maxime Raynaud averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in the 2025-26 season, while Dylan Cardwell averaged 5.4 points and 1.4 assists per game. Domantas Sabonis remains the lone available center after playing 19 games in the prior season.
The players
Domantas Sabonis
He is an experienced center who played 19 games during the 2025-26 season before undergoing meniscus surgery in February 2026.
Maxime Raynaud
He is a Sacramento center who averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season.
Dylan Cardwell
He is a Sacramento center who averaged 5.4 points per game and is now dealing with a left calf strain.
Darius Acuff Jr
He is an opposing player involved in the sequence that led to Maxime Raynaud's recent injury.
Steph Curry
He is a notable professional basketball player who was involved in the play where Maxime Raynaud was injured.
The details
Maxime Raynaud sustained his injury after contact with Darius Acuff Jr while screening Steph Curry, while Dylan Cardwell suffered his calf strain during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 8, 2026. The team is now forced to adjust their frontcourt rotation significantly for their October 21 matchup.
Timeline
February 2026: Domantas Sabonis underwent meniscus surgery.
2025-26 season: Domantas Sabonis appeared in 19 total games.
October 8, 2026: Dylan Cardwell played against the Los Angeles Lakers.
October 21, 2026: The Kings play the Los Angeles Clippers.
Season Trajectory
These injuries significantly shorten the Kings' frontcourt rotation and place heavy pressure on the team's depth early in the year. The availability of Domantas Sabonis will be a critical factor in determining the team's competitive standing against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The absence of two primary centers forces a major adjustment to the starting rotation and likely increases the reliance on small-ball lineups. Fantasy managers should prepare for a significant change in minutes distribution for the remaining frontcourt roster.
The takeaway
Maintaining roster health remains a primary concern for the team following the injury challenges seen throughout the 2025-26 season. Fans can monitor official team updates in two weeks to see if the frontcourt depth chart begins to stabilize.
Further reading
For more on the team's outlook, visit the Sacramento Basketball page.
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Do you trust your local team to maintain competitiveness despite significant early-season roster injuries?
