Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud will be reevaluated in about two weeks after suffering a patellar subluxation in his right knee during Saturday’s preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors. The 23-year-old was hurt with 2:32 left in the second quarter and had to be wheeled off the court before being taken to the locker room.
Raynaud was setting a screen for rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. when he made contact with Stephen Curry, absorbing a hit to the outside of his right knee. He underwent an MRI late Saturday night, and the imaging revealed the patellar subluxation, the Houston Chronicle reported. The Warriors went on to beat the Kings 111-106.
What The Team And Coach Said
The Kings have not issued a formal injury designation. The team announced Raynaud would be reevaluated in about two weeks. Kings coach Doug Christie addressed the injury after the game, saying, “You don’t want to hear that in those moments, but it’s part of what we do. Unfortunately, we put ourselves at risk, but yeah, it’s never a good thing.”
Christie also spoke to the emotional side of the moment inside the locker room. “Being around the sport for pretty much my whole life, injuries are just hard, but they’re part of what we do,” he said. “We care about each other on a deeper level than just teammates and coach and player, as I told him on the floor: ‘I love you, man.
We’re here for you. We got you.'”
Kings general manager Scott Perry told the Houston Chronicle that Raynaud “will be back.” The exact return date depends on the reevaluation in two weeks.
Who Fills The Frontcourt In His Absence
An extended absence would open additional minutes for centers Dylan Cardwell and Precious Achiuwa. Sacramento has not announced specific rotation changes.
Raynaud’s Role And Season Context
Raynaud enters his second NBA season after a rookie campaign that earned him a spot on the All-Rookie second team. He averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds over 74 games last season after Sacramento selected him 42nd overall in the second round of the draft.
Before the injury, Raynaud scored 10 points in less than nine minutes on three field goals, including a 3-pointer, and added five rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot.
What’s Next
Raynaud’s reevaluation is expected in about two weeks from Saturday. No further updates have been announced. The regular season begins in late October.
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