Maxime Raynaud Avoids Ligament Tear After Right Patella Subluxation

Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud suffered a partial dislocation of his right patella during a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center, avoiding a major structural ligament tear according to medical examinations reported by the franchise and outlets including Basket USA.

The 23-year-old French interior player collapsed to the hardwood with two minutes and thirty-two seconds remaining in the second quarter of the exhibition matchup on Saturday night, October 10, 2026, after setting a screen for rookie teammate Darius Acuff Jr. and making right-leg contact with Stephen Curry. Initial scenes captured by observers showed Raynaud in acute distress, clutching his right knee before leaving the floor in a wheelchair and later exiting the locker room on crutches with an ice pack. The 2,16 m player lay on the floor for several minutes while screaming in pain, ultimately departing the San Francisco arena in a wheelchair amid applause from the public.

How the Preseason Injury Unfolded at Chase Center

Before his departure, Raynaud had compiled a flawless offensive performance in under nine minutes of floor time. The Stanford product shot three-for-three from the field—including one three-pointer—and converted three free throws to finish with 10 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block, building upon a strong opening stretch for Sacramento during their West Coast preseason schedule.

Following the collision, medical staff evaluated the seven-foot-one center on the court before he was wheeled away to the tunnel. ESPN’s sideline reports indicated that preliminary evaluations took place at halftime ahead of an MRI scan performed overnight. BeBasket noted that the Sacramento Kings also lost rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. to a leg ailment during the same contest after the seventh pick of the 2026 draft posted 25 points and eight assists in 27 minutes of action.

Medical Diagnosis and Two-Week Re-evaluation Timeline

Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a subluxation of the right patella—defined by Le Figaro and PenseBet as a partial displacement of the kneecap—while ruling out any ligament rupture or tear. The Sacramento front office announced that Raynaud will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks to determine his rehabilitation progress, with the two-week timeframe remaining an estimate rather than a guaranteed return date.

Le Figaro reported that the team opens its regular-season campaign on October 21, 2026, against the Los Angeles Clippers, meaning the French international is expected to miss the opening fixtures of the schedule. PenseBet highlighted that while general manager Scott Perry offered reassuring words outside the locker room, the franchise stopped short of establishing a definitive return date.

Locker Room Support and Second-Year Stakes

Teammate Ben Simmons, who has navigated significant injury absences throughout his career, remained close to Raynaud following the incident. “It’s my teammate. Seeing a player get hurt is terrible,” Simmons stated according to Basket USA coverage. “I’ve been there before and I know that feeling. In the moment, it can feel like the end of the world, but we’re all here to support him.”

Head coach Doug Christie also addressed the team’s concern immediately after the game. “I told him: ‘I love you, man. We’re here for you, we’re with you,'” Christie told reporters, emphasizing Raynaud’s foundational role within the roster. The young center entered his second NBA campaign aiming to solidify a rotation role behind Domantas Sabonis after earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors last year by averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds across 74 appearances, which included 56 starts during a rookie season where he was chosen 42nd overall in the draft.