"It's kind of weighing on my mind," Horvath said. "It sort of feels like it's the beginning of the end. I feel like one of those racehorses that they'll just bring back and shoot."

Regarded as one of the best big men in the New Zealand league, the 33-year-old said he could no longer play without the injury on his mind.

"I dislocated it years and years ago and since then it's been pretty good until this last year and since then it's all gone to custard," Horvath said.

"I put a cortisone shot in it and that really helps, but when that wears off it's a lot worse. I don't know how many more years I can just keep shooting myself up with drugs."

Horvath, who was the first person to win an NCAA, ANBL and NZNBL championship, crossed the Tasman to bolster the Kings ranks during their Sunshine Swing last week. The Kings were in desperate need of strength in the centre position with Angus Brandt sidelined by a knee injury for at least a month.

While Horvath has signed with the purple-and-golds for the rest of the season, he said he probably would only play in their next two games against the NZ Breakers and Adelaide 36ers. He said he could not get any more time off from his position as a high school physics teacher.

"It's my option," he said. "I'm signed for the rest of the year. I missed a lot of time at school last year so I don't really think I have the time. It's one of those things that my hands are pretty tied.

"[The Kings] knew the situation coming in and they said, 'Come out for two weeks for sure and we'll see how it goes.' It's been really fun, it has been a whirlwind. I tried to tell them no for about a week, but they were pretty persuasive."

Horvath's first two games with the Kings were marred by the debilitating knee injury that has left him wondering how many matches he has left as a basketballer.

"I'm petty limited with my mobility, I just do what I can," he said. "My game has never been built on athleticism anyway, so in the heat of the game I can make do but the last few days have been pretty rough."

Horvath said he definitely would play this week and would make it through another season with the Manawatu Jets in the NZNBL.

"I've gotten into a position where I don't need basketball - it's something I do for fun and it's something I do for a little extra money and I really enjoy it," Horvath said.

"It will be a bummer to not be able to play, but we'll see what happens. This has come as a shock really, how bad it is."

The Kings will take on the top-placed Breakers, who they have not beaten this season, at Vector Arena on Friday night.

Horvath, who has been a fixture in the NZNBL since 2006, said he hoped to provide the team with some "savvy veteran pointers".

"I've played with all those guys and I've played against them," Horvath said. "I know the tendencies of the players definitely. It will be fun just catching up with everyone, I haven't seen those guys in a few months."

The Kings return to their home court on Sunday afternoon to take on the Adelaide 36ers, whom they have twice beaten.

It is crunch time for the Kings, who have eight games remaining before the playoffs and are three wins adrift of fourth-placed Melbourne.