Kings vs. Wizards: Will Domantas Sabonis play? Keon Ellis injury update
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis appears to be ready to return from injury, but Keon Ellis’ status is suddenly in doubt.
Sabonis is officially listed as questionable, but sources told ESPN the three-time All-NBA center is expected to be available when the Kings face the Washington Wizards on Friday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Kings (11-30) are riding their first three-game winning streak of the season following victories over the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, who are all in position to earn automatic playoff berths. During that stretch, the Kings ranked fifth in the NBA in offensive rating (123.5), seventh in defensive rating (110.3) and third in net rating (+13.2).
The Wizards (10-29) have lost four in a row, all by double digits. They are coming off a 119-105 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sabonis has been sidelined for the past two months with a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. He has missed 27 games since suffering the injury in a Nov. 16 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Ellis is questionable for Friday’s game due to left knee soreness. Keegan Murray is still out with a left ankle sprain.
The Wizards are missing a number of players, including Trae Young (knee, quad), who was recently acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Bilal Coulibaly (back), Khris Middleton (knee) and Tristan Vukcevic (knee) are also out due to injuries.
Kings fans might be interested to see Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III, who started his career in Sacramento after the Kings selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NBA draft.
Bagley is averaging 10.0 points and 5.6 rebounds in his eighth NBA season. He had 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting with 11 rebounds in Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers.
Bagley posted season highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds in a Dec. 14 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Wizards at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -7.5
Over/under: 233.5
Injury report
Wizards: OUT — Sharife Cooper (G League); Bilal Coulibaly (back); Khris Middleton (knee); Tristan Vukcevic (knee); Cam Whitmore (shoulder); Trae Young (knee, quad).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Keon Ellis (knee); Domantas Sabonis (knee). OUT — Keegan Murray (ankle); Daeqwon Plowden (G League); Isaiah Stevens (G League).
This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 2:02 PM with the headline "Kings vs. Wizards: Will Domantas Sabonis play? Keon Ellis injury update."
