Keegan Murray’s Injury Forces Kings to Rethink Starting Lineup
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With forward Keegan Murray sidelined by a thumb injury, Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie is weighing several options to fill the power-forward spot during the final week of preseason play. Murray, the No. 4 pick in 2024, offers a rare blend of size, athleticism and 40 percent three-point shooting that Christie says will be hard to replace.
The Kings have two exhibition games remaining—Wednesday and Friday—and Christie plans to experiment with different combinations next to Dennis Schröder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis. Veterans Dario Šarić and Drew Eubanks, along with rookies Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud, are under consideration. Sacramento’s limited depth at the four was a factor in its offseason pursuit of Golden State restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
Warriors Hold Out Jimmy Butler
Golden State will keep forward Jimmy Butler out of Tuesday’s matchup with Portland after he sprained an ankle during Friday’s practice, according to head coach Steve Kerr. The injury is considered minor, and the team hopes Butler can return for Friday’s preseason finale against the Clippers.
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton projects the Warriors to win 56 games—second-most in the league. Fellow ESPN analyst Zach Kram points to the addition of Al Horford, roster balance and fewer question marks than other West contenders as reasons Golden State could outperform expectations.
Clippers Investigation Expected to Stretch Into 2026
As part of the NBA’s review of the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2021 sponsorship deal with green-bank Aspiration, sources told ESPN that the league’s probe into possible salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard could last months and might not conclude until after the 2026 playoffs. The NBA has retained law firm Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz to lead the investigation.
Kobe Brown Accepts Limited Role on Veteran-Heavy Roster
Forward Kobe Brown, the Clippers’ 2023 first-round pick, told The Orange County Register he is “a way better player now” than when he entered the league two years ago. Even so, he understands that head coach Tyronn Lue may give priority to established veterans. “If the team’s winning, I’m winning,” Brown said.
Source: Hoops Rumors
