Lithuanian basketball star D. Sabonis, who plays for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA, has been ruled out for the summer qualifiers of the Lithuanian national basketball team for the World Championship due to an injury. Initially, there was no timeline for his return, but the Kings have now stated that his injury will only be reevaluated just before the start of the team's training camp. This news comes as a significant blow to the Lithuanian team, which was counting on Sabonis to lead them during the crucial qualifiers.

The injury, initially sustained earlier this year, was a meniscus tear that Sabonis attempted to play through. However, a decision was ultimately made to undergo surgery, confirming his absence from this summer's national team activities. With training camps for NBA teams set to begin at the end of September, Sabonis's timeframe for recovery does not allow for his participation in the important qualifying matches, which are essential for securing a spot in the World Championship.

The Lithuanian national team is slated to play two matches in July, first facing Great Britain at home on July 2, followed by an away game in Italy on July 5. Currently, under the guidance of coach Rimas Kurtinaitis, the Lithuanian team has recorded one win and one loss in their group. With all four teams having similar records, the stakes are high as only the top three teams from the group will advance to the next stage of the qualification process, making Sabonis’s absence even more impactful for Lithuania's chances to qualify for the World Championship.