国王中锋马克西姆·雷诺避免膝盖重伤，两周后重新评估

The Sacramento Kings‘ preseason has been less than satisfactory, especially as they come off a 111-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors, marking their third consecutive loss. Still, the franchise will be dealing with larger issues following Maxime Raynaud’s injury during Saturday’s game.

Late in the first half of the game against the Warriors, Maxime Raynaud seemingly hurt his knee after colliding with Stephen Curry, who was attempting to stay in front of Kings’ point guard Darius Acuff Jr. Raynaud was eventually taken off the floor in a wheelchair, immediately setting off alarms and concerns about a major injury.

While Sacramento’s fears are justified, the situation isn’t as dire as it seems. According to a recent press release by the Kings, Maxime Raynaud avoided a major knee injury and is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks. Here is the official report:

“Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud, who exited Saturday night’s preseason game against the Golden State Warriors with 2:32 remaining in the second quarter, underwent an MRI of his right knee. Imaging revealed a right patellar subluxation. Raynaud will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks, and further updates will be provided as appropriate.”

For all intents and purposes, any injury pertaining to a load-bearing joint like the knee is concerning. However, when considering how severe it could have been, a patellar subluxation seems to be a more positive outcome.

On that note, certified athletic trainer Jeff Stotts also provided some insight into the difference between a patellar subluxation and a knee dislocation. With specific reference to Raynaud’s case, he wrote:

“A patellar subluxation is significantly different than a knee dislocation. Recovery will focus on strengthening the area to reduce the odds of a recurrence. Average time lost for in-season patellar subluxations in the NBA is ~14 days.”

In some ways, this is an immensely promising sign for the Kings. However, with Sacramento slated to play their season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 21, Maxime Raynaud’s availability seems unlikely.

Kings Players React To Maxime Raynaud’s Injury

Maxime Raynaud’s injury comes at an unfortunate time in the big man’s career. After a promising end to his rookie season, with averages of 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game, Raynaud seemed to be on the path to becoming a key player in the Kings’ rotation.

Needless to say, Raynaud’s injury will be a setback in this process. However, the comments from his teammates seem quite encouraging.

After Saturday’s game, Darius Acuff Jr. reacted to Raynaud’s injury during his media availability, stating:

“I was coming off the screen, so I really didn’t get to see much. But I’m praying for him. It’s tough to see a teammate… We don’t know what happened yet, but it’s always tough to see a teammate go down. He’s got us with him for sure.”

Another player who commented on Maxime Raynaud’s injury was Kings veteran Ben Simmons, who was among the first players to approach the big man after he went to the floor.

“That’s my teammate, you know. For a guy to go down, it sucks,” Simmons began. “I’ve been there before. I’ve experienced injuries. So, I know that feeling. It feels like the end of the world in that moment. But just letting him know that we’re here to support him, whether it’s something serious or major. But yeah, we’re here to support him.”

“I’ve been through it. I know that feeling. So regardless of the sport itself or what happens, you just want to show support to your teammates,” he added. “You’ve got to be a good person, man. Like, the game is the game. Like we lost, who cares? I’m more worried about my teammate and how he’s doing.”

When asked about how it impacted the team entering the second half, Simmons replied:

“It sucks. It comes with sports, but he’ll be strong. He’ll get through it. It’s just another obstacle in the way. He’s a great player, and I think he has a great mentality. So he’ll be fine. Everyone’s got his back.”

While the Kings’ players were prepared for the worst, the update on Maxime Raynaud’s injury should be received positively. Regardless, the support shown for the second-year big man, especially from a relatively newer addition like Simmons, is quite promising.

In many ways, this could be viewed as a sign of improving chemistry within the Kings’ roster. Still, the franchise will desperately hope this translates into some victories soon. Given the news about tensions within the organization, the Kings will hope to secure some wins and develop a habit before the season officially begins.