Sacramento Kings' Big Man Diagnosed With Fracture In Thumb Ligament

It sounds like a devastating diagnosis for Sacramento Kings' dominant big man Domantas Sabonis: an "avulsion fracture" in his thumb. But the two-time All-Star center is determined to play through it. 

NBA injury expert Jeff Stotts explains exactly what an "avulsion fracture" is, and how there's precedent for playing through it.

The injury means that the ulnar collateral ligament of his thumb tore away a piece of bone: the UCL itself is not fractured. He notes that Avery Bradley in the past elected to play through it without surgery and didn't miss any time. Chris Paul, however, suffered the same injury this past February, and missed a full month—15 games. 

The injury is to Sabonis's non-shooting hand, suffered this past Friday in Sacramento's 125-111 loss to the Washington Wizards.

His impact on the Kings' return to respectability this season can't be understated. He's averaging 17.9 points, a league-leading 12.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The Kings are 17-14 in 6th spot in the Western Conference. They're trying to end a 16-year playoff drought.

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