Sources: Kings’ Kevin Huerter to Miss Rest of Season

Sacramento Kings wing Kevin Huerter recently suffered a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum, causing him to be sidelined for an indefinite period with treatment options begin evaluated. There is a new development about how this will impact his availability as the NBA playoffs loom.

League sources tell NBA Analysis Network that Huerter is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season, even if the Kings were to qualify for the postseason.

Huerter has averaged 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 64 games this season. He shoots 44.3% from the floor, 36.1% from beyond the arc, and 76.6% on free throws. His shooting efficiency has declined since his strong 2022-23 campaign, contributing to the Kings’ historic postseason appearance.

The Kings have relied on Keon Ellis in the starting lineup amid Huerter’s injury, starting him next to De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes, and Domantas Sabonis. Sacramento’s depth is thinner, with Malik Monk still being a crucial sixth-man contributor.

“We have to be ready to play without Kev if it is some type of long-term thing, and I think everybody is confident in Keon,” Fox told reporters via the Sacramento Bee. “Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the minutes he’s been providing the last few games, especially since he’s been back in the rotation, have been great.”

The Kings enter Saturday’s NBA action with a 40-29 record and face a road matchup against the Orlando Magic. Sacramento ranks eighth in the Western Conference standings after a 109-102 loss against the Washington Wizards on Friday night, trailing the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns by two games.

The looming schedule for Sacramento features important matchups. The Kings host the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, beginning a pivotal back-to-back against Dallas on Tuesday. The Mavericks will be in town for a two-game mini-series with major implications regarding the race for the sixth seed in the Western Conference standings.