Kings backup center Maxime Raynaud will miss the first handful of games this season after suffering a right knee patellar subluxation, but seriously, everyone in the arena, especially Kings fans, should be breathing a massive sigh of relief because this injury looked SO much worse when it actually went down.
The Scare That Had Everyone Holding Their Breath
Dude, if you saw the play, you know what I’m talking about. Raynaud went down hard in the second quarter of that preseason loss against the Warriors after colliding with Stephen Curry. It was one of those moments where you instantly think “season over,” right? The team confirmed the injury, a right knee patellar subluxation, and said he’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks. And that, my friends, is the good news. Jeff Stotts from In Street Clothes dropped the intel: a patellar subluxation is a whole different ballgame than a full-on knee dislocation, which is what everyone probably feared at first glance.
Future Franchise Center On The Mend
So what’s the actual damage? According to Stotts, the average time lost for this specific in-season injury in the NBA is about 14 days, roughly two weeks. The treatment plan is all about strengthening the muscles around the knee to keep it from happening again. For a guy like Raynaud, that’s crucial. This isn’t just some bench warmer. The Kings are seriously banking on this 23-year-old second-round pick from France. They see him as the franchise’s future at center, the big man setting those crucial picks for Darius Acuff Jr. and holding down the paint like a boss.
A Rookie Season That Demanded Attention
Let’s not forget what this kid already showed us. In his rookie season, Raynaud wasn’t just impressive, he was a revelation. He put up 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, earning himself a spot on the second team NBA All-Rookie Team. That kind of production from a second-rounder? It’s why this injury scare felt so gut-wrenching. But with an expected two-week recovery and a re-evaluation coming soon, it looks like his trajectory as the Kings’ centerpiece is still very much on track. They’ll need him back, strong and ready, to fulfill that potential and anchor their defense. This short absence is a speed bump, not a roadblock, for a player they clearly believe is special.
So, yeah, he’ll miss a few games to start the season, which stinks, but knowing he’s only looking at a couple weeks out is a massive win after that initial scare. The focus is gonna be on strengthening that knee to make sure this doesn’t happen again. The Kings need their future center back, healthy and dominating, setting picks, and owning the paint. Keep an eye out for that re-evaluation in two weeks, because seeing Raynaud back on the court, fulfilling his potential, is what every Kings fan is gonna be looking forward to!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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