Sabonis Returns in Kings' Loss to Celtics

Domantas Sabonis returned to the Sacramento Kings' lineup after recovering from a sprained right ankle and contributed 16 points and 17 rebounds in a 113-95 loss to the Boston Celtics. Despite his return, the Kings struggled against a strong Celtics team, which was led by Jayson Tatum's 25 points before he exited with an ankle injury. The Kings' ongoing injury challenges continued, with key players Malik Monk and Devin Carter out due to illness, impacting their backcourt depth. The Kings have lost three consecutive games and seven of their last nine, and are currently ninth in the Western Conference. Boston, with a six-game winning streak, capitalized on their momentum to secure another victory, even as they managed without Jaylen Brown, who missed the game due to a knee issue. The Kings face a critical stretch as they attempt to stabilize their playoff positioning with Sabonis now back in play, though they still face significant challenges ahead.