Domantas Sabonis Returns From 27-Game Absence Just in Time to Face the Wizards

Domantas Sabonis is officially listed as available to play on Tuesday night, ending a 27-game absence that probably felt like a decade for Sacramento Kings fans.

Missing a third of the NBA season with a partial meniscus tear is a brutal reality check for a guy who literally played all 82 games last year. Sabonis is the engine of the Sacramento offense, and without him, the Kings have been trying to win basketball games with one hand tied behind their back.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Domantas Sabonis (knee) listed available to play Tuesday.'"

Now he returns against the Washington Wizards, which is essentially the NBA equivalent of a rehab assignment.

Before his knee gave out, Sabonis was doing his usual absurd stat-stuffing, averaging 20.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. You do not just replace that kind of production with bench guys and good vibes.

For anyone looking at the betting markets, pricing a guy who has been sitting in street clothes for 27 games is a nightmare. Sportsbooks will likely be cautious with his props, but his mere presence completely shifts the lines for the entire Sacramento rotation.

The Kings need this version of Sabonis back immediately if they want to make any real noise in the Western Conference playoff race. You can only tread water for so long before the rest of the league pulls you under.

Tuesday night is all about seeing how the knee responds to live action. If he looks like his old self, Sacramento just got their most important piece back right when the schedule starts getting heavy.