The Sacramento Kings have gotten a 2-0 lead over the Golden State Warriors in their NBA playoff series. They did their job, holding serve on homecourt, and will now be heading to the Chase Center for two games where the Warriors will attempt to do the same.
Game 3 is a pivotal game as Golden State cannot afford to go down 3-0. You know that they will be ready to go in what equates to a must-win game. But, they will be short-handed as Draymond Green has been suspended for that game.
Green was suspended because of the incident involving Domantas Sabonis in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Sabonis fell to the ground and grabbed onto Green’s foot/ankle. That led to Sabonis receiving a technical foul, but Green escalated the incident.
After shaking loose, Green stomped on Sabonis’ chest. That drew a Flagrant-2 upon review and automatic ejection. The league suspended him in part because of his history of unsportsmanlike acts.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings & Golden State Warriors Updates
While the Warriors will be without Green, the Kings could also be without Sabonis. An update on his condition from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium wasn’t overly positive. According to Charania, Sabonis is questionable for Game 3 because of a sternum contusion.
That injury stems from the incident with Green, but it is far from the only ailment that Sabonis is dealing with. He has been playing through a thumb injury for more than half of the season and earlier in Game 2, he was inadvertently kneed in the head as well.
Getting through the playoffs is sometimes a war of attrition, which Sabonis and the Kings are learning the hard way. If he is unable to suit up, Sacramento will be left with a huge void in their frontcourt.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings & Golden State Warriors Updates
Alex Len could step into the starting lineup, as he has provided the Kings with solid minutes off the bench. Richaun Holmes could be inserted into the rotation as well with Trey Lyles seeing a bump in minutes.
What is already a fast-paced matchup could become even quicker if Sabonis joins Green on the sidelines for Game 3. Both teams could just opt to go small without their starting big men, which would put an even bigger emphasis on the perimeter battles that have brewed.
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