Cardwell finished with one point (0-3 FG, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals across 29 minutes during Tuesday's 107-100 loss to the Magic.
Cardwell couldn't get anything going on offense, but he dominated the glass and made an impact defensively in his bench minutes. With Domantas Sabonis (knee) limited and Precious Achiuwa (lower leg) and Maxime Raynaud (knee) both on the injury report, the second-year center could see more frontcourt minutes in the short term.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Starting against Miami
Rotowire
Cardwell will start in Sunday's game against the Heat.
With Domantas Sabonis (knee) ruled out, Cardwell will start for the first time in 2026-27. The 24-year-old has only started one other time in his career, amassing two points and one rebound in the 135-133 win over the Bucks a little over a year ago.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Active on glass
Rotowire
Cardwell provided four points (2-3 FG), six rebounds and one steal across 13 minutes during Wednesday's 116-103 loss to the Lakers.
Cardwell made an impact on the glass despite limited playing time, grabbing four offensive rebounds while committing just one foul. The reserve center also finished with a plus-four rating, though Domantas Sabonis' established role continues to restrict his opportunities. Cardwell's rebounding ability is encouraging, but his modest minutes leave him with little appeal outside of deeper fantasy formats.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Cardwell (calf) is not listed on the injury report for Wednesday's meeting with the Lakers.
It appears Cardwell will be making his regular-season debut Wednesday evening, which could translate to fewer minutes for Precious Achiuwa. Cardwell showed last season he's capable of racking up the defensive stats when given the minutes, but his upside will be muted as long as Domantas Sabonis is healthy.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Ruled out Monday
Rotowire
Cardwell (calf) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Mavericks.
Cardwell was temporarily upgraded to probable ahead of Monday's clash, though he was downgraded twice before ultimately being ruled out with a left calf strain. His next chance to make his season debut will arrive Wednesday against the Lakers.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Downgraded to doubtful
Rotowire
Cardwell (calf) has been downgraded to doubtful for Monday's game against Dallas.
Cardwell's status has changed multiple times, though it now appears likely he won't be making his season debut Monday. His absence would leave additional minutes open for Jonathan Mogbo.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Upgraded to probable
Rotowire
Cardwell is probable for Monday's game against Dallas due to a left calf strain.
Cardwell appears likely to suit up despite the calf issue. With Maxime Raynaud (knee) sidelined, Cardwell could have an opportunity for additional frontcourt minutes if he's cleared to play.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Questionable versus Dallas
Rotowire
Cardwell (calf) is questionable to suit up for Monday's game against the Mavericks.
Cardwell has yet to appear in a game this season while recovering from a left calf strain, and he's in danger of missing his seventh consecutive outing to begin the 2026-27 campaign. If Cardwell remains sidelined, Precious Achiuwa and Jonathan Mogbo are likely to continue earning additional minutes.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Out at least one more week
Rotowire
Cardwell (calf) will be re-evaluated in one week, Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
Cardwell is progressing well in his recovery from a calf strain. Precious Achiuwa should remain worth streaming in all fantasy leagues for the banged-up Kings in the meantime.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Set to miss opening stretch
Rotowire
Cardwell (calf) is expected to miss at least the first five or six games of the regular season, with a longer absence possible, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
Cardwell appeared in 44 games last season, providing frontcourt depth while Domantas Sabonis dealt with injuries. Sacramento will also be without Maxime Raynaud (knee) to begin the campaign, leaving the team thin at center behind Sabonis. Cardwell's return timetable remains uncertain, but his absence could create additional opportunities for the Kings' remaining frontcourt reserves.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: To miss at least two weeks
Rotowire
Cardwell will miss at least two weeks with a left calf strain, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports.
Sacramento's frontcourt takes another blow after losing Maxime Raynaud (knee) for several weeks over the weekend. The Kings figure to depend heavily upon Domantas Sabonis at center to open the season, while Precious Achiuwa should play a featured role off the bench to help pick up the slack.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Sits out practice
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Cardwell (calf) didn't practice Monday, per James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento.
Cardwell is nursing left calf soreness and missed Saturday's preseason game against the Warriors. His status is uncertain for Tuesday's preseason game versus Portland.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Idle for Saturday's preseason game
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Cardwell (rest) has been ruled out for Saturday's exhibition game against Golden State, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Cardwell will get a breather Saturday, and his absence opens the door to more playing time for Alex Karaban, Precious Achiuwa and Daeqwon Plowden. Cardwell's next opportunity to play is Tuesday against Portland.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Wants to change the culture
Rotowire
Cardwell said Monday that he intends to help establish a tougher and more relentless identity for Sacramento during his second NBA season, according to Sactown Sports 1140.
"We're not here to make friends. We're here to establish our identity," Cardwell said, emphasizing energy, physicality and competing for loose balls as areas in which he plans to set the tone. The 24-year-old averaged 5.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 20.6 minutes across 44 regular-season appearances as a rookie, and his defensive activity and rebounding should remain his primary avenues to earning minutes in Sacramento's crowded frontcourt.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: To compete for role
Rotowire
Cardwell returns to Sacramento after spending last season with the organization, giving him a leg up in the battle for frontcourt minutes entering training camp.
The big man provides size, rebounding and rim protection, though he'll likely be competing for a reserve role behind Domantas Sabonis and Maxime Raynaud. Across 44 regular-season games in 2025-26, Cardwell averaged 5.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 20.6 minutes per contest.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Dealing with thumb injury
Rotowire
Cardwell will sit out Friday's Summer League game against Charlotte with left thumb soreness, Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
This sounds like a precautionary move for the Kings. Through six Summer League outings, Cardwell posted averages of 7.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.8 blocks.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Fares well in Summer League
Rotowire
Cardwell registered 15 points (5-8 FG, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 25 minutes during Thursday's 91-85 Summer League win over the Clippers.
The Auburn product made an immediate impact around the rim, finishing efficiently while falling one rebound shy of a double-double. After a standout rookie campaign in 2025-26, Cardwell will make a serious push for a rotation role ahead of Opening Night, especially if the Kings move on from Domantas Sabonis.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Double-doubles in Summer League
Rotowire
Cardwell finished with 12 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, four steals and four blocks in 25 minutes of Monday's 95-89 Summer League win over the Bucks.
Cardwell sat out Sunday's win over Warriors Blue for maintenance, but he was back to business Monday. He's looked excellent through two exhibitions, shooting 72.7 percent from the field with averages of 9.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 3.0 blocks.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Cleared to play Monday
Rotowire
Cardwell (undisclosed) is available for Monday's California Classic Summer League game against the Bucks, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.
Cardwell sat out Sunday's win over Warriors Blue -- the second leg of a back-to-back-to-back set -- due to undisclosed reasons. However, he'll suit up in Sacramento's final California Classic contest. In 28 minutes during Saturday's win over the Nets, the big man tallied eight points, eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals.
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Kings' Dylan Cardwell: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Cardwell (undisclosed) is out for Sunday's Summer League game against the Warriors Blue, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Cardwell will skip the second leg of this back-to-back set, but he should be back for Monday's matchup with Milwaukee. Anthony Dell'Orso and BJ Edwards should be able to get into the rotation Sunday with Cardwell unavailable.
