Today, the NBA named Sacramento Kings center-forward Domantas Sabonis as a 2023 Western Conference All-Star reserve. The honor marks the third All-Star nomination of Sabonis' career and his first with Sacramento.
A seven-year veteran, Sabonis is averaging 18.8 points (61.5 FG%, 36.8 3pt%, 74.6 FT%), 12.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 34.5 minutes per game in 48 games (48 starts). Among league leaders, he ranks first in rebounds (592), rebounds per game and double-doubles (39), ninth in assists (339), 10th in field goal percentage and 13th in assist average. Sabonis is the only player this season accruing 18.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per contest and just one of two players in the top 10 in rebounds, assists, double-doubles and field goal percentage.
Along with his league-leading 39 double-doubles, Sabonis recorded a double-double in 23 consecutive games from Dec. 4-Jan. 23, the longest such streak this season on his way to his first All-Star appearance since the 2020-21 season. The 11th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, he has notched six triple-doubles (3rd) this season, tying the Kings single season record in the Sacramento era. Sabonis is also fourth in the NBA in offensive rating (120.2) and win shares (7.7) as well as fifth in offensive win shares (5.6).
Sabonis was selected as the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played between January 9 and January 15 after he averaged 18.5 points (51.9 FG%, 76.0 FT%), 14.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists in four games. In a victory over Houston on Jan. 13, he totaled 19 points, 15 rebounds, a career-high 16 assists, two steals and a pair of blocks. Since 1973-74, Sabonis is just the second player in NBA history with 15 points, 15 rebounds, 15 assists and a pair of steals and blocks in a game, joining Larry Bird with the honor.
Sabonis is now the 24th player in franchise history to represent the team in the annual All-Star game and the seventh during the Sacramento era.