Another blow for the Sacramento Kings’ roster: De’Andre Hunter will miss the remainder of the season due to a serious eye injury.
The 7th-year veteran, acquired in a three-team trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 5, was diagnosed with iritis in his left eye after leaving a game on February 6. On Friday, Hunter was re-evaluated and underwent surgery to repair a retinal detachment. The procedure was performed by Dr. M. Ali Khan at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, California. The team reports that Hunter is expected to make a full recovery, with an update anticipated in about eight weeks.
Hunter had been acquired by Sacramento after spending just one season with the Cavaliers, who obtained him from the Atlanta Hawks. This season, Hunter had struggled with his shooting efficiency, posting a 41.5% field-goal percentage — near his rookie-year low — and a 30.5% 3-point mark, down from his previous floor of 32.6%. He averaged 13.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 26.1 minutes across 45 games for Cleveland and Sacramento, starting 25 of those contests.
This injury comes just days after the Kings lost Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine to season-ending issues, further depleting an already thin roster.
