The Sacramento Kings made a minor roster adjustment following star center Domantas Sabonis’ recent injury, officially signing Skal Labissière to a 10-day contract on Sunday, reported NBA. The move comes in response to Sabonis suffering a Grade 1 left hamstring strain early in Saturday night’s 113-103 victory over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
Per team policy, contract details were not disclosed. Labissière is a familiar face for Sacramento fans. The six-foot-10 big man originally joined the Kings on draft night in 2016 via a trade with the Phoenix Suns. He played 148 games for the franchise before being dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers at the 2020 trade deadline.
Since then, Labissière has spent most of his time in the G League, appearing in 83 games over his career. He last played in the NBA during the 2019-20 season before bouncing around professional leagues. Over the past two years, he suited up for the Kings’ G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings, where he impressed with averages of 16 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game in 28.2 minutes.
His strong play earned him a shot at an NBA return, and Sacramento is bringing him back at a crucial time. Labissière returns to the Kings with career NBA averages of 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds over 17.5 minutes per game. While his role remains uncertain, he is expected to provide depth behind Jonas Valančiūnas, Sacramento’s only healthy rotational center.
Valančiūnas stepped up in Sabonis’ absence against Houston, posting 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting and grabbing 14 rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench. Interim head coach Doug Christie will be hoping for more of the same while Sabonis recovers, but Labissière offers additional frontcourt insurance.
The Kings hope Sabonis’ absence will be short-lived, but in the meantime, Labissière gets another opportunity to prove himself at the NBA level.