Kings' Nightmare: De'Andre Hunter Out for Season After Eye Surgery

The Sacramento Kings are facing a brutal reality: their season has been derailed by an unprecedented wave of injuries. Just days after losing two key players, recent trade acquisition De'Andre Hunter is now officially sidelined for the remainder of the season, undergoing surgery for a retinal detachment in his left eye. This is a devastating blow, solidifying the team's position as one of the unluckiest in the league.

Key Points on Hunter's Injury & Kings' Crisis

• De'Andre Hunter underwent surgery for a retinal detachment in his left eye.
• He is expected to make a full recovery, with an update anticipated in approximately eight weeks, ruling him out for the season.
• This marks the third season-ending injury for the Kings since the All-Star break, joining Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.
• Hunter's injury caps a challenging season where his shooting percentages saw a significant dip.

Another Critical Blow for the Purple and Black

The news broke on Friday: De'Andre Hunter, initially diagnosed with iritis after an exit on February 6, required immediate surgery for a retinal detachment. The procedure, performed by Dr. M. Ali Khan at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, California, was successful. While the team anticipates a full recovery, Hunter will be sidelined for at least eight weeks, effectively ending his campaign with the Kings.

Kings' Injury Nightmare Continues

This latest blow hits the Sacramento Kings at the worst possible time, confirming a nightmarish run of health issues. Hunter's season-ending injury means he joins star center Domantas Sabonis and dynamic guard Zach LaVine on the long-term absentee list. Losing three integral players, especially two new acquisitions, puts an immense strain on the team's playoff aspirations and overall roster depth.

A Challenging Season Capped by Injury

Hunter's brief tenure with the Kings began on February 5, arriving via a three-team trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. This season has been a test of resilience for the 7th-year veteran. After a campaign where he was considered for the Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, his shooting numbers plummeted to career-lows, hitting just 41.5% from the field and a grim 30.5% from beyond the arc. Across 45 games for both the Cavaliers and Kings, Hunter averaged 13.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 26.1 minutes.

Road to Recovery and Future Outlook

Despite the setback, the positive outlook is Hunter's expectation of a full recovery. His journey through the league has seen him move from the Hawks to the Cavaliers and then to the Kings in a relatively short period. While this season ends prematurely, fans will be eager to see him return healthy and rediscover the form that made him such a promising talent. For the Kings, the focus now shifts to navigating the remainder of the season with a significantly depleted roster, hoping their remaining stars can carry the load.