Kings Get Promising Injury Update on Rookie Dylan Cardwell

Sacramento's young center returns to practice after missing 11 games with ankle sprain

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:37pm

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The Sacramento Kings, who are just 16-51 on the season, have received a promising update on rookie center Dylan Cardwell. Cardwell, who has become a fan favorite for his high energy and interior defense, was a full participant in Friday's practice after missing the team's last 11 games with a left ankle sprain. Head coach Doug Christie praised Cardwell's impact, saying the team missed his energy, communication, and rebounding when he was out.

Why it matters

The Kings are in last place in the Western Conference, but their young core, including Cardwell, has shown promise this season. With Cardwell back, the team will have all three of its rookies getting significant minutes down the stretch, allowing them to develop and grow together.

The details

Cardwell took the league by storm in the couple of months leading up to his ankle injury, averaging 5.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 22.5 minutes per game. He quickly became a fan favorite for his high energy and interior defense. The Kings' rookie center duo of Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud were looking fantastic before Cardwell's injury.

  • Cardwell suffered a left ankle sprain in mid-February.
  • Cardwell missed the Kings' last 11 games due to the injury.
  • Cardwell was a full participant in Friday's practice.

The players

Dylan Cardwell

A rookie center for the Sacramento Kings who has become a fan favorite for his high energy and interior defense.

Doug Christie

The head coach of the Sacramento Kings, who praised Cardwell's impact and said the team missed his energy, communication, and rebounding when he was out.

Maxime Raynaud

The Kings' other rookie center who was part of a promising duo with Cardwell before the latter's injury.

Domantas Sabonis

The Kings' starting center who has been out for the season, allowing Cardwell and Raynaud to get more playing time.

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What they’re saying

“It was good to see Dylan back out there. I forgot how he looked, but it was really good. ... He's a breath of fresh air. I think everyone's happy to see him back.”

— Doug Christie, Head Coach (Twitter)

“His energy, his spirit. Obviously, the communication, the physicality, the rebounding aspect. Like a wide receiver, he rebounds outside of his catch radius. Absolutely gets rebounds, he tips the ball out. He's also a vertical threat. You can stretch the floor vertically, you can do it with shooting, or you can get downhill. And he has the ability to throw lobs, and it just puts a little more pressure on the defense. He rolls extremely hard, so then you have spray opportunities for three-pointers as well.”

— Doug Christie, Head Coach (Twitter)

What’s next

It is unclear whether Cardwell will be able to suit up for the Kings' matchup against the L.A. Clippers on Saturday, but the team is hopeful to have him back on the court soon.

The takeaway

With Cardwell's return, the Kings will have all three of their rookies - Cardwell, Raynaud, and Devin Carter - getting significant minutes down the stretch, allowing the young core to develop and grow together as the team looks to the future.