MRI shows Sacramento Kings rookie Maxime Raynaud avoided serious injury
The Sacramento Kings received some good news Saturday when tests showed rookie center Maxime Raynaud was not seriously injured in Friday’s 129-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
An MRI on Raynaud’s left leg showed no structural damage, a league source told The Sacramento Bee, confirming a report from ESPN 1320’s James Ham. Raynaud is expected to be available for Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Kings were trailing 118-94 with 4:25 remaining when Raynaud went down after Russel Westbrook clipped his left leg while cutting behind a screen. Westbrook scored on a driving layup to pass Oscar Robertson as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer at the point guard position, but the moment was marred by the sight of Raynaud writhing in pain while clutching his left knee.
Raynaud was helped to his feet and limped off the floor with assistance from head athletic trainer Joel Noland. Following the game, Raynaud told The Bee he believed he had avoided serious injury.
“I’ll be fine,” Raynaud said. “It was just scary. ... I think it was just an unpleasing sensation you’re not used to.”
The Kings selected Raynaud with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of June’s NBA draft. Raynaud has been one of the few bright spots for the Kings this season, averaging 10.6 points and 6.3 rebounds.
The 7-foot-1, 250-pound center has started the past 11 games with All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis sidelined due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. Over that stretch, Raynaud has averaged 14.0 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 55.8% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range.
This story was originally published January 3, 2026 at 3:21 PM.
