Kings Center Maxime Raynaud Avoids Major Knee Injury

Knee injury during preseason loss

Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud will be reevaluated in two weeks after suffering a patellar subluxation in his right knee. The second year center suffered the injury on Saturday night during a preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Raynaud was setting a screen for rookie point guard Darius Acuff when his right knee gave out. He fell to the floor and screamed in pain. Head coach Doug Christie called a timeout and walked out to check on him. Teammates gathered around as trainers called an EMT with a wheelchair to take him to the locker room.

MRI rules out serious ligament damage

Raynaud was wheeled to the X-ray room at halftime. Kings general manager Scott Perry and team owner Vivek Ranadive both visited him in the locker room. Ranadive gave him a hug before Raynaud was helped onto crutches, unable to put weight on his right leg.

He later had an MRI in San Francisco, which ruled out serious ligament damage. The diagnosis brought a sense of relief to the franchise. Raynaud will likely miss the start of the regular season, but the outcome was better than feared.

Impact on the Kings frontcourt

When healthy, Raynaud plays a main frontcourt role off the bench behind starting center Domantas Sabonis. The second year big man had an impressive rookie campaign after being selected with the 42nd pick. He made the All-Rookie second team while averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 74 games.

What it means for the next game

Portland Trail Blazers at Sacramento Kings (NBA, Wed, 14 Oct): Sacramento Kings win 35%, Portland Trail Blazers win 65%; projected score Sacramento Kings 113, Portland Trail Blazers 117. Our safest pick: Kings +12.5.

Sacramento Kings at San Antonio Spurs (NBA, Sat, 17 Oct): San Antonio Spurs win 89%, Sacramento Kings win 11%; projected score San Antonio Spurs 122, Sacramento Kings 106. Our safest pick: Kings +24.5.