It's not the way he wanted to start the season. It's not the way he wanted to end another day.

"It's been frustrating. I want to be out there helping my teammates," Garcia, the Kings fourth-year swingman told HOOPSWORLD.

"It's frustrating."

When the Sacramento Kings announced they'd signed the 6-7 Garcia to a five-year contract extension back in late September, the last thing he envisioned was missing the first sixteen-games of the season with a strained right calf. Instead, it's been a season where nagging injuries have replaced wins. Garcia hasn't sniffed the court besides rehab sessions. Go-to guard Kevin Martin (9 games) and forward Mikki Moore (4 games) have also been hobbled. And while head coach Reggie Theus has a clean bill of health, his tenure with the Kings could be in critical condition if the losses continue to mount.

Perhaps the return of Garcia will be somewhat of a band-aid for Sacramento's 5-11 start, especially after they've lost six of their last seven games. And with the Dallas Mavericks playing at Arco Arena on Saturday, Garcia is now gearing up to play for the first time this season.

The timing couldn't be better.

"That's what I am shooting for," Garcia explained. "That's my plan to come back by this weekend and if not then early next week. I get real juiced up and want to see us win. You see everybody getting better and I want to be out there."

While Garcia has Saturday circled on his calendar, there remains a chance he could be activated when the Kings visit the Utah Jazz on Friday. Either way, Sacramento needs him back in the mix soon – a guy who can come off the bench, stretching defenses and can fill it up.

Last season - his best year as a pro – Garcia averaged 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 79 appearances. Remove those numbers from the lineup and that is tough for any coach to replace. And while the Kings have scrapped of late to hang it games, Garcia's return (and also with Kevin Martin scheduled to return this coming weekend too) may prove the difference between losing a close contest and closing the door with a victory.

"We played good the last few nights (back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers). We didn't come out with wins but it happens you know."

Theus said as much recently, knowing in the back of his mind that having Garcia available makes navigating rough waters that much smoother.

"I take no joy in the end results. But when you are injured and are a team that's been struggling with that all year, to come on the road and play like this, you have to give our guys a lot of credit."