Sacramento Kings forward De’Andre Hunter will miss the rest of the season following surgery to repair a retinal detachment in his left eye. The operation took place after Hunter experienced ongoing issues with iritis, an inflammation of the iris, following an injury he sustained during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Kings confirmed Hunter’s surgery was performed by Dr. M. Ali Khan at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, and updates on his recovery are expected in about eight weeks. The team anticipates Hunter will make a full recovery.
This is a serious setback for the Kings, who have now lost three key players in the past week. Hunter joins Zach LaVine, out with hand surgery, and Domantas Sabonis, sidelined following knee surgery. With these injuries, the Kings’ roster is severely weakened for the remainder of the season. Sacramento sits at the bottom of the NBA standings, with only 12 wins against 45 losses, and is currently experiencing a franchise-record 15-game losing streak.
Hunter, 28, was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade earlier this month. He managed to play just two games for Sacramento before his eye injury forced him to stop. While with both the Cavaliers and Kings this season, Hunter averaged 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, although his shooting percentage was not as strong as in previous years. He remains under contract with Sacramento through the 2026-27 season.
The eye injury and subsequent surgery followed an initial diagnosis of iritis, which is known to cause significant vision problems and can lead to long-term complications if not treated. Doctors determined the retinal detachment made surgery necessary for Hunter’s recovery and for protecting his sight. The injury occurred when Hunter was poked in the eye during the Clippers game, and his condition worsened even after participating in practice sessions following the All-Star break.
The Kings’ struggle with injuries has sparked concern across the league, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver highlighting the impact on the competitive integrity of the season. Despite the challenges, some see hope for the franchise in the possibility of earning a high draft pick for the upcoming NBA draft, which is expected to feature a deep pool of talented prospects. Until then, Sacramento faces the difficult task of finishing the season without several of its top players.
