The Sacramento Kings’ 2025 season took another hit on Sunday night. Zach LaVine, the team’s leading scorer and arguably its most dynamic offensive weapon, has been diagnosed with a moderate left ankle sprain. The team announced he will be re-evaluated in one week, but for a franchise sitting at a dismal 6-20 record, a week can feel like a lifetime.

The moment the season held its breath

It happened with the kind of innocuous suddenness that makes injuries so frustrating. With 5:20 remaining in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Zach LaVine drove to the basket—a move we have seen him make thousands of times. He rolled his ankle, the kind of tweak that makes fans wince in sympathy. True to his competitive nature, LaVine tried to gut it out. He stayed on the floor for another three minutes. He attempted to warm up, realized the ankle wouldn’t cooperate, and retreated to the locker room. He didn’t return.

Impact on a depleted roster

The timing could not be worse. The Kings are already navigating a brutal stretch without their anchor, Domantas Sabonis, who is sidelined with a partially torn meniscus. Losing Zach LaVine now is like losing the engine when you’ve already lost the wheels.

LaVine has been a solitary bright spot in a dark campaign. Through 23 starts, he has been efficient, averaging 20.2 points on nearly 49% shooting from the field and roughly 38% from deep. In a league where perimeter scoring is gold, LaVine has been amazing for Sacramento in that department this season.

Trade rumors and future implications

This injury adds a roadblock to the swirling trade speculation. It is the NBA’s worst-kept secret that Zach LaVine is a potential trade candidate. A veteran scorer on a losing team is always going to draw sharks in the water. However, the reality of moving him is complicated.

His contract is massive—including a looming $49 million player option for the 2026/27 season—and his defensive limitations are well-documented. NBA front offices are risk-averse. They want certainty.

Next man up: The rookie opportunity

With Zach LaVine out, the spotlight turns squarely to rookie Nique Clifford. It is a trial by fire. Clifford started recently when LaVine missed time with a thumb injury and stepped in again to start the second half on Sunday.

This is the silver lining, albeit a thin one, for Kings fans. In a season where the playoffs seem like a pipe dream, player development becomes the key to a championship. Clifford will get reps, make mistakes, and learn. But asking a rookie to replace the production of a two-time All-Star is a recipe for growing pains.

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