De'Andre Hunter has eye surgery, Kings' latest out for season - ESPN

ESPN

by Dave McMenamin

February 21, 2026

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De'Andre Hunter, a forward for the Sacramento Kings, underwent season-ending surgery on Friday to repair a detached retina in his left eye. This marks the third significant injury this season for the Kings, following similar surgeries by teammates Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine. Hunter, acquired in a recent three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls, only played two games for the Kings before being sidelined due to an eye injury. The surgery was performed by Dr. M. Ali Khan at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, California. Hunter is expected to make a full recovery, with follow-up updates scheduled in eight weeks. The 28-year-old had been struggling since February 6th against the LA Clippers, when he sustained the injury that led to his diagnosis of retinal detachment. The Kings' recent string of season-ending surgeries highlights their ongoing challenges on the court this season. With a league-worst record of 12-45, Sacramento is positioned to potentially secure the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which could bring significant improvements to the team. However, the frequency of injuries and the team's poor performance has raised concerns about "tanking," or intentionally underperforming to achieve a high draft position. This issue has been publicly addressed by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who described it as the worst problem the league has faced in recent years. The Kings' situation is particularly notable

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/21/2026