The Sacramento Kings needed something positive in a season overloaded with setbacks. Keegan Murrayâs return from injury is the one development offering real hope.
Sacramento enters December at 5-16, the third-worst record in the Western Conference. The team is riding a three-game losing streak and is still without All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, who has been sidelined since Nov. 16 with a partial meniscus tear in his left knee. Sabonis last played 36 minutes in a 123-110 loss to the San Antonio Spurs before the injury forced him out of the lineup. He is expected to be reevaluated in late December or early January.
Sacramentoâs Turbulent Start
The Kingsâ issues extend beyond injuries. Trade rumors continue to surround Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. Keon Ellis, a fan favorite and one of the rosterâs bright young defenders, still cannot crack Doug Christieâs rotation in a meaningful way. The front office appears headed toward a fire-sale approach, and the teamâs overall trajectory has become increasingly uncertain.
The absence of Sabonis has exposed Sacramentoâs lack of stability on both ends of the floor. The offense has struggled to generate efficient looks, and the defense continues to collapse during extended stretches. With the Western Conference tightening, the Kings have been unable to build real momentum.
Murrayâs Return Has Provided a Lift
Amid the chaos, Murrayâs late-November return brought needed energy. The 25-year-old forward missed the first 15 games after undergoing surgery in October for a torn UCL in his left thumb. He returned on Nov. 20 for his season debut against the Memphis Grizzlies, finishing with 11 points and three rebounds.
Since returning, Murray has played in six games and has quickly emerged as one of Sacramentoâs most productive pieces. He is averaging 18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while taking on an expanded offensive role. The Kings are only 2-4 in that span, but Murrayâs individual rise has been one of the few consistent positives.
The coaching staff has featured him more prominently as a scorer and defender. He is also averaging career highs in shot attempts (15.3), free throw attempts (2.8), and minutes per game (38.8). The volume suggests he is becoming a focal point of the offense, especially with Sabonis unavailable.
Westbrookâs Veteran Perspective
During Kings practice this week, veteran guard Russell Westbrook offered strong praise for Murrayâs development and resilience following the injury.
âHis ability to be active, his size and cause he’s still young he still has so much to learn. And the ability for him to do that is huge spark for our team and we’re going to kind of lean on him to lead the way moving forward,â Westbrook said. âHe’s been doing a great job but we also can’t run him into the ground, so we have to be careful and make sure he’s fresh and be able to do what he’s able to do at a high level.â
Westbrookâs comments highlight two realities. First, Murray has quickly become a critical piece of Sacramentoâs identity. Second, the workload he is carrying may not be sustainable, especially given the heavy minutes he is logging each night.
Why It Matters
For the Kings, Murrayâs strong return is more than a temporary spark. His ability to anchor scoring, defend multiple positions, and provide length on the wing gives Sacramento a stabilizing force during its most fragile stretch of the season. Even with the roster uncertainty and the looming return of Sabonis, Murrayâs production has established him as one of the few players trending upward.
The sample size is small, but the impact is undeniable. With the rest of the season still open and the trade deadline approaching, Murrayâs emergence may become one of the defining storylines for a Kings team searching for something to build around.
Right now, Sacramento may not have many answers, but they do have one clear positive: Keegan Murray is back, and he looks ready to lead.
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