More injuries hit Kings as losing streak reaches five
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The Sacramento Kings absorbed two more setbacks Sunday night in Milwaukee, losing both forward Keegan Murray and guard Keon Ellis to injuries during a 118-107 defeat that extended the club’s skid to five games and 15 losses in its last 18 outings.
Murray, 25, exited in the third quarter after twisting his left ankle. The former lottery pick had only just returned from a calf strain and has appeared in 19 of Sacramento’s 36 contests after offseason surgery on a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb delayed his debut until November 20. Murray, considered off-limits ahead of next month’s trade deadline, signed a five-year, $140 million rookie-scale extension in October.
Interim head coach Doug Christie offered no timetable following the game. “I don’t know yet, so it’s not even for me to speculate,” he told reporters. “We’ll get everything and you guys will know as soon as we do.”
Ellis lasted just five minutes before leaving with a left thumb injury. The 26-year-old guard has been mentioned in trade discussions, with Sacramento reportedly seeking a protected first-round pick in return.
“It’s hard, man,” Christie said of the mounting injuries. “You feel for your kids, first and foremost. It’s just difficult.”
LaVine returns, Raynaud cleared
Sacramento did receive a boost as Zach LaVine played for the first time in nine games after a sprained left ankle. Coming off the bench for the first time since last season’s mid-year trade, the 30-year-old guard logged 36 minutes and produced 20 points, three rebounds and four assists. LaVine said he waited to return “for whatever day my ankle felt best.”
Rookie center Maxime Raynaud also suited up after an MRI on his left leg showed no structural damage following an injury scare Friday. Inserted into the starting five, Raynaud said the initial pain “felt like your knee twist a little bit,” adding he was relieved by the clean scan.
Westbrook climbs scoring list
Russell Westbrook led Sacramento with 21 points and moved past Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson into 15th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring chart. The 37-year-old is now the top point-guard scorer in league history.
Source: Hoops Rumors
