Kings’ Keegan Murray Sidelined With Mild Ankle Sprain, Set for Two-Week Evaluation
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Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray has been diagnosed with a mild sprain of his left ankle and will be reexamined in two weeks, the club announced Thursday.
The 25-year-old rolled the same ankle in the first quarter of Wednesday’s road loss to the Houston Rockets when he landed after contesting a drive by Clint Capela. Murray had returned to action on February 19 after sitting out about six weeks with a moderate sprain to the same ankle.
Murray’s latest setback means he will miss at least six games, with March 14 against the Clippers in Los Angeles representing the earliest possible return date.
The Kings have little incentive to accelerate his recovery. Sacramento owns the NBA’s worst record at 14-47, and the organization views the fourth-year pro as a cornerstone after signing him last fall to a five-year, $140 million rookie-scale extension that begins in July.
In a season marred by injuries, Murray’s debut was delayed until November 20 following surgery on his left thumb. He also missed two games in December with a mild calf strain and several weeks with the initial ankle sprain.
Through 23 appearances, the No. 4 pick in the 2022 draft is averaging 14.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steal while shooting .420 from the field, .277 from three-point range and .776 at the foul line in 34.5 minutes per game. His blocks mark would be a career best, though his field-goal and three-point percentages are at career lows.
Source: Hoops Rumors
