It’s been a season to forget for Keegan Murray and the Sacramento Kings.
Murray, who missed the first 15 games of the season due to a thumb injury, missed another lengthy stretch that spanned from January to February after spraining his left ankle.
Just four games into his return, Murray suffered another ankle injury on Wednesday night in Houston, exiting the game after coming down awkwardly on the same left ankle that caused him to miss 20 games.
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Is It Time To Shut Down Keegan Murray?
As the Kings, owners of the NBA’s worst record, continue to nosedive toward the regular-season finish line in hopes of securing a top pick in May’s NBA Draft Lottery, it’s worth asking whether Keegan Murray should suit up again for Sacramento before the offseason begins.
Star guard Zach LaVine (hand), center Domantas Sabonis (knee), and forward De’Andre Hunter (eye) have all been ruled out for the rest of the season, opening the door for younger players to get extended minutes.
Keegan Murray isn’t viewed as a rookie-level talent, of course. Murray is in his fourth NBA season after being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 Draft, and this season was viewed as a chance for the Iowa product to take the next step in his career.
Over just 23 games this season, Murray struggled to find his footing on the offensive end, averaging 14.0 points on 42/27/77 shooting splits.
While it would be ideal for the forward to play out the remainder of this season and elevate his game before his five-year, $140 million extension kicks in, another ankle injury likely signals the end to his 2025-26 campaign.
During the latest edition of The Matt George Podcast, Matt George states that while Keegan Murray — along with rookies Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell — is one of the lone reasons to keep watching this Kings team, shutting him down makes the most sense.
“Shut him down. I don’t know — outside of Keegan, the easy answers are Max [Raynaud] and Nique [Clifford]. Dylan Cardwell is out for a month with an ankle injury he just suffered, so we don’t even know if we’re going to see him again this season.
“There are very few reasons left to pay any remote attention to the Sacramento Kings at this point — very few. Keegan was one of those reasons. And selfishly, because I have to sit through these games anyway, I’d love to be able to watch Keegan and see if he can really get that true shot.
“But at this point, man — four different injuries, five if you count this being the second time he’s hurt that left ankle. Five different injuries from just before the season started to now, late February. Shut him down. Chalk the season up as a complete loss — a wash.”
Check out the full episode of The Matt George Podcast and share your thoughts in the comments.
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will conclude a five-game road trip on Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sacramento is 1-2 against the Lakers this season, although they won the most recent matchup between the two teams–a 124-112 win at Golden 1 Center on January 12th–behind 32 points from DeMar DeRozan.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:00 PM PT on Game Night before a 6:30 pm PT tip-off from downtown Los Angeles.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Sunday, March 1st @ Los Angeles Lakers – 6:30 PM PT
Tuesday, March 3rd vs. Phoenix Suns – 8:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 5th vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 8th vs. Chicago Bulls – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 10th vs. Indiana Pacers – 7:00 PM PT
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