This has not been the start to the 2019-20 season the Kings were hoping for.
Starting power forward Marvin Bagley is expected to miss four to six weeks with a right thumb fracture, the team announced Thursday afternoon.
Bagley suffered the injury in Wednesday night's season-opening 124-95 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes played.
Despite the fracture, the second-year forward will not need surgery, NBC Sports California's James Ham is hearing.
Hearing that Marvin Bagley's injury will not require surgery.β James Ham (@James_HamNBCS) October 24, 2019
Sports
With Bagley out, coach Luke Walton told reporters that Nemanja Bjelica will get the first crack at taking minutes at the "4."
With Bagley out, Walton said his initial thinking is to turn to Nemanja Bjelica. That could change between now and Friday evening when the Blazers roll into town.β James Ham (@James_HamNBCS) October 24, 2019
Just one game in, the injuries are already piling up for Sacramento.
Sharpshooter Buddy Hield rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter and left the game, but told reporters postgame that "I'm going to play regardless."
Meanwhile, fellow guard De'Aaron Fox banged knees with Suns center DeAndre Ayton and had an ice wrap around the knee in the closing minutes of the game.
While Hield did not practice Thursday, Fox was back on the floor. But if the two have to miss any time, their absence -- along with Bagley's -- could spell doom for the Kings' playoff hopes.
[RELATED: What we learned in Kings' season-opening loss to Suns]
Sacramento will take the court for the team's home opener Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.