Domantas Sabonis will miss FIBA World Cup 2023 / News - Basketnews.com

Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis is unavailable for FIBA World Cup 2023. Former NBAer Donatas Motiejunas is ready to fill in the void.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Sacramento Kings All-Star center Domantas Sabonis won't play in the FIBA World Cup 2023, as reported by Lukas Malinauskas of BasketNews.

Free throws this season

79%19,8Points made:19,8Accuracy:78,8%Place in standings:3Record max:32Record min:9Most made FTs:De'Aaron FoxTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

According to BasketNews sources, the 27-year-old is set to miss the tournament due to a complicated off-season, as he is dealing with a thumb injury sustained during this past NBA season, as well as sorting out his contract situation with the Kings.

In light of Sabonis' absence, Donatas Motiejunas, current AS Monaco and former Houston Rockets big man, is anticipated to make his Lithuanian national team return.

The 32-year-old French League champion last represented the national team in a major tournament during FIBA EuroBasket 2017. He is expected to form a formidable frontcourt duo with the Lithuanian NT captain, Jonas Valanciunas.

Additionally, Zalgiris Kaunas center Laurynas Birutis is also among the contenders for a position in the frontline.

Sabonis suffered an avulsion fracture of the ulnar collateral ligament of the right thumb at the end of December. The center played through the injury for almost six months.

His primary shooting hand is left, while surgery is one of the treatment options for his injury.

During the 2022-23 NBA season, Sabonis made his third All-Star Game appearance, topped the league in rebounds, and secured a spot in All-NBA Third Team.

He has one more season remaining on his four-year, $79.4 million contract, which commenced in 2020. In the upcoming year, his salary is set at $19.4 million.

Sabonis averaged 18.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game in 2022-23. His contributions played a significant role in the Sacramento Kings breaking a sixteen-season NBA Playoffs drought.

Sacramento was eliminated in Western Conference First Round, losing to the Golden State Warriors in a thrilling seven-game series.

As for Motiejunas, he reached the EuroLeague Final Four with Monaco, ultimately securing third place. Across 41 games in the competition, Motiejunas averaged 8.5 points, 3.7 boards, and 9.9 PIR over 17 minutes.

He has been a part of the Monaco squad for the past two years and recently became a free agent.

FIBA World Cup 2023 will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25th to September 10th and will be hosted by the three nations for the first time.

Lithuania will play in Group D and face Egypt, Montenegro, and Mexico. Before the event,Lithuanians will compete in 10 friendly games.

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