Sternum contusion meaning: Explaining injury Kings star Domantas Sabonis suffered from Draymond Green stomp

Scott Rafferty

Sternum contusion meaning: Explaining injury Kings star Domantas Sabonis suffered from Draymond Green stomp image

Domantas Sabonis underwent an X-ray on his ribs and lungs after Draymond Green stepped on him in Game 2 of the first-round series between the Kings and Warriors.

The X-ray reportedly came back negative, but that doesn't mean Sabonis didn't suffer an injury.

The Kings announced that Sabonis is questionable for Thursday's Game 3 due to a sternum contusion. Sacramento head coach Mike Brown told members of TNT's "Inside the NBA" crew that Sabonis is expected to play after being a full participant in Wednesday's practice, a major development in the team's pursuit of a commanding 3-0 series lead.

The Warriors will be shorthanded as Green has been suspended for pivotal Game 3 as a result of the incident.

MORE: Key stats to know about Warriors without Draymond Green

Sternum contusion meaning

Also known as the breastbone, the sternum is a long flat bone that is located in the middle of the chest.

According to Healthline, a bruised sternum is usually the result of a "traumatic blow" to the chest or breastbone area. Green received a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected for stepping on the chest of Sabonis in the fourth quarter of Golden State's Game 2 loss to Sacramento.

Here's a video of the incident, which also resulted in Sabonis being called for a technical foul:

Healthline adds that a bruised sternum usually heals "on its own within a few weeks." Applying ice, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, limiting movement and avoiding heavy lifting can speed up the healing process.

Sabonis likely underwent an X-ray to see if he had any fractures. Bruises do not show up on X-rays.

The NBA said in a statement that Green's suspension for Game 3 was based "in part" on his history of unsportsmanlike acts.

MORE: Complete history of Draymond Green suspensions

Warriors vs. Kings schedule, TV channels

The Kings and Warriors have two days off before Games 3, 4 and 5.

Here is the full schedule for the first-round series:

DateGameTime (ET)/ResultTV channel
April 15Game 1Kings 126, Warriors 123ABC
April 17Game 2Kings 114, Warriors 106TNT
April 20Game 310:00 p.m. at Golden StateTNT
April 23Game 43:30 p.m. at Golden StateABC
April 26Game 5*TBD at SacramentoTBD
April 28Game 6*TBD at Golden StateTBD
April 30Game 7*TBD at SacramentoTBD

* If necessary

Scott Rafferty

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.