Samuel Dalembert out for six weeks with groin injury
Samuel Dalembert, signed by the Sacramento Kings this summer to bolster their defense, has yet to play a game in a Kings uniform. And it appears this will be the case for another six weeks.
The Kings announced today that their 29-year-old starting centre will be out for six weeks after undergoing an MRI on Tuesday 12 October. The 6ft 11in Dalembert, suffering from a strained
left groin muscle, has averaged just under two blocks per game over his eight-year career.
"It's a problem because the perimeter has to play tight because we want to protect them and the foul situation," said Kings coach Paul Westphal. "We don't have the size to clog the lane
like we'd like to, so our defense has to be a little different on the perimeter as well."
The news means that Dalembert will likely miss his first regular-season game in about five years. The durable centre has played in 354 consecutive games, the third-longest streak among
active players. Both Dalembert and rookie Hassan Whiteside, also a Kings’ centre, missed their fourth consecutive pre-season game on Tuesday 12 October when the Kings hosted the Golden State Warriors.
Whiteside is suffering from a strained tendon in his left knee and it is unclear when he will return.
Because of the injuries to Dalembert and Whiteside, DeMarcus Cousins, the fifth pick in last year’s NBA Draft, has been starting at centre for the Kings. One thing the 20-year-old has
to learn is how to stay out of foul trouble. He has fouled out of the last two games.
"DeMarcus can block some shots, he can take some charges and clog the middle," Westphal said. "But he fights foul trouble, and he's not going to just be an eraser like Dalembert, like
Hassan can be."
Dalembert, who was acquired by the Kings in an off-season trade for Andres Nocioni and Spencer Hawes, spent his first eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. While he is not known as
a premier scorer, he is an aggressive rebounder, defender, and shot-blocker. Over eight seasons with the 76ers, Dalembert averaged 8.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocked shots.
Whiteside, out of Marshall University, was chosen with the third pick of the second round of this summer's NBA Draft. He is known as a premier shot-blocker.
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