Keegan Murray, the Sacramento Kings’ forward, is set to make his season debut tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies after recovering from a thumb injury that sidelined him for the first 15 games of the season. The Kings, struggling with a record of 3-12, will undoubtedly be eager to welcome back the fourth-overall pick from the previous draft, who is expected to have a significant impact on the team.
Murray’s return comes amidst news that fellow teammate Domantas Sabonis will be unavailable due to left knee soreness. After being a consistent starter last season, where he participated in all 76 games, Murray is anticipated to return to the starting lineup, potentially leading to Precious Achiuwa moving to the bench. While the Kings have depth in their roster thanks to players like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, who are currently leading the team in points and minutes played, Murray’s absence had been felt.
Last season, Murray demonstrated his scoring capabilities, averaging 15.2 points per game but found himself in a reduced role, ranking as the fifth offensive option in the starting lineup with a usage rate of just 15.0%. As he reintegrates into the team, it’s expected that he will initially face a minutes restriction, but the Kings may need to rely on him more heavily, especially with the ongoing struggles of the season.
Following a substantial $140 million extension, the Kings are eager to maximize Murray’s potential as he steps back onto the court. With high hopes pinned on him, both the team and fans are anticipating how his performance will influence Sacramento’s trajectory moving forward.