{"id":266759,"date":"2026-04-14T05:01:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T05:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/266759\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T05:01:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T05:01:21","slug":"keegan-murray-on-what-motivates-him-following-a-rough-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/266759\/","title":{"rendered":"Keegan Murray on what motivates him following a rough season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray closed his 2025-26 season reflecting on a year defined by injuries and limited availability.<\/p>\n

The fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft appeared in just 23 games, averaging 14.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.0 steals while shooting 42 percent from the field and 27 percent from deep.<\/p>\n

Murray missed 59 games due to hand and ankle injuries, with the latter ultimately ending his season in February.<\/p>\n

During his end-of-season press conference, the fourth-year forward described the emotional toll of another disrupted year, one that also saw Sacramento finish with a lackluster 22-60 record.<\/p>\n

\u201cMentally, it was tough because you go through the whole summer working out again, right for the long season, and then it just gets taken away pretty quick, especially with the thumb surgery,\u201d Murray said. \u201cBut it was definitely a mentally taxing year for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SACRAMENTO,<\/p>\n

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

More from Keegan Murray<\/p>\n

Keegan Murray also detailed the setback that he had with his sprained ankle that prevented a late-season return.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe second ankle injury was rough, the one in Houston, and I tried to ramp back up so I could play, like, a couple weeks, and then had a pretty rough setback,\u201d Murray explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was, like, in the middle of March or so. So then at that point, it was kind of just trying to get it to heal the right way. And at that point, it was just kind of too late to ramp back up and get back on the court.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although Murray was on the shelf for most of this season, he learned a lot by watching a talented trio of rookies that included Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spent a lot of time with the coaching staff, and for me, it was great to just see visually how the rookies play, how our young guys played, and they played a lot better towards the end of the season,\u201d Murray said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd with that being our future, it\u2019s kind of for me just building a connection with them and watching them grow and see where I can fit in with how they play, and they\u2019ve shown a lot, and they\u2019ve been really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murray, who spent most of his last offseason away from Sacramento, says he plans on sticking around this summer as he looks to build chemistry with the rookies and the Kings\u2019 eventual 2026 draft picks.<\/p>\n

\"PHOENIX,<\/p>\n

(Photo by Chris Coduto\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Keegan Murray also spoke about what drives him forward after playoff swings and injuries. He remains anchored to the franchise\u2019s brief, recent postseason peak at Golden 1 Center, which occurred\u00a0during his rookie season in 2022-23.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019m hooked on the memory of, like, Golden 1 Center in the playoffs, and that\u2019s kind of the feeling I chase, and I\u2019m one of the few guys on this team that know that feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keegan Murray has also secured a five-year, $140 million contract extension that begins next season, cementing his long-term future with the Sacramento Kings organization.<\/p>\n

He is expected to return fully healthy and play a key two-way role next season for Sacramento as they build around their young core moving forward\u2013a core that will also bring a high NBA Draft lottery pick into the fold come June.<\/p>\n

Be sure to check out all of the Sacramento Kings\u2019 end-of-season press conferences on the Sactown Sports YouTube page.<\/a><\/p>\n

When is the next Sacramento Kings offseason date of interest?<\/p>\n

The Sacramento Kings will now look ahead to the highly anticipated NBA Draft Lottery, which is set for Sunday, May 10th.<\/p>\n

Sacramento hasn\u2019t secured the top pick in the NBA Draft since 1989, when it selected center Pervis Ellison with the first overall selection.<\/p>\n

Be sure to stay locked in to Sactown Sports 1140 all offseason for NBA Draft Lottery coverage, NBA Draft previews and analysis, NBA Summer League content, and MUCH more!<\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n

Tuesday, April 14th \u2013 NBA Play-In Tournament begins
\nSaturday, April 18th \u2013 NBA Playoffs begin
\nSunday, May 10th \u2013 NBA Draft Lottery
\nThursday, June 4th\u2013 NBA Finals begin
\nThursday, June 25th \u2013 NBA Draft (Round 1)
\nFriday, June 26th \u2013 NBA Draft (Round 2)
\nTuesday, June 30th \u2013 NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
\nThursday, July 9th \u2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
\nMonday, July 13th \u2013 Free Agency moratorium ends \/ signings can become official<\/p>\n

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