Kings' Drew Eubanks to Undergo Thumb Surgery After Torn UCL

The veteran center will miss the remainder of the season after the latest injury setback for the struggling Sacramento Kings.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:51pm

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Sacramento Kings center Drew Eubanks will undergo surgery on his left thumb after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) during a recent game against the Charlotte Hornets. The injury will sideline Eubanks for the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season, further thinning the Kings' frontcourt as they attempt to finish the year amid multiple roster setbacks.

Why it matters

The Kings have struggled mightily this season and are currently in the bottom three of the NBA standings. Eubanks' absence will force the team to rely even more heavily on rookie centers Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud, making it even more difficult for Sacramento to finish the season on a high note.

The details

Eubanks suffered the torn UCL during the Kings' March 11 loss to the Hornets. He played just under 15 minutes in that game, recording four points, six rebounds, and two assists before the injury was identified. This will be the second left-thumb injury Eubanks has dealt with this season, as he previously missed around three weeks in December due to an avulsion fracture in the same thumb.

  • Eubanks' injury occurred during the Kings' March 11 game against the Charlotte Hornets.
  • Eubanks will undergo surgery to repair the torn UCL on Wednesday, March 18.

The players

Drew Eubanks

A veteran center in his eighth NBA season, Eubanks is in his first year with the Sacramento Kings. He has appeared in 42 games this season, including 11 starts, and has averaged 5.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game.

Domantas Sabonis

The Kings' star center, who is also currently dealing with an injury and has left Sacramento to rely heavily on rookie centers.

Dylan Cardwell

A rookie center for the Sacramento Kings who will be asked to play a larger role in Eubanks' absence.

Maxime Raynaud

Another rookie center for the Sacramento Kings who will see increased playing time due to the injuries in the team's frontcourt.

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What’s next

The Kings will continue to monitor Eubanks' recovery and provide updates on his timeline for return, though it is unlikely he will play again this season.

The takeaway

Eubanks' injury is another blow to the struggling Kings, who are already dealing with the absence of star center Domantas Sabonis. The team will now have to rely even more heavily on its rookie centers, making it an uphill battle to finish the season on a high note.