Kings vs. Pelicans: De’Andre Hunter has left eye iritis. What is that?
De’Andre Hunter hasn’t been with the Sacramento Kings long, but he is fitting right in when it comes to the injuries that have plagued the team this season.
Hunter missed a chance to face his former team because of an eye injury when the Kings played host to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, and he will miss Monday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
The Kings (12-42) have also ruled Domantas Sabonis (lower back inflammation), Zach LaVine (right pinky soreness), Malik Monk (illness) and Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain) out for Monday’s game.
The Pelicans (14-40) have everyone available except for Dejounte Murray, who participated in practice Sunday for the first time since rupturing his right Achilles in January 2025.
The Kings acquired Hunter from the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team trade on Jan. 31. Hunter made his Kings debut in Wednesday’s 129-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. He left Friday’s 114-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after taking a shot to the eye late in the third quarter.
The Kings provided an update on Hunter’s injury Sunday, saying he had been diagnosed with iritis in his left eye. He will be reevaluated in about two weeks.
According to the Mayo Clinic, iritis is inflammation of the iris, the colored ring around the eye’s pupil. It can be caused by infections, autoimmune conditions or, in Hunter’s case, trauma to the eye. Symptoms include redness and pain in the eye, sensitivity to light, blurred or decreased vision and watery eyes.
Kings at Pelicans
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Smoothie King Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Pelicans -8.5
Over/under: 230.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Domantas Sabonis (back); Doug McDermott (shoulder). OUT — Zach LaVine (finger); Malik Monk (illness); Keegan Murray (ankle); Isaiah Stevens (G League).
Pelicans: OUT — Trey Alexander (G League); Hunter Dickinson (G League); Dejounte Murray (Achilles).
This story was originally published February 9, 2026 at 12:04 PM.
