Kings rookie Keegan Murray clears NBA health and safety protocols. When will he play?
Kings rookie Keegan Murray has cleared NBA health and safety protocols but will not play in Wednesday’s season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Murray participated in the team’s morning shootaround as the Kings prepared to play the Blazers at Golden 1 Center, but coach Mike Brown said the 22-year-old forward will have to practice before he is cleared to play.
The Kings will have two days off before playing host to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Murray will likely return to practice Thursday. He could make his NBA debut in Saturday’s home game against the Clippers or Sunday’s road game against the Golden State Warriors.
Murray, who came out of Iowa as the No. 4 pick in June’s NBA draft, led the Kings in scoring in two preseason games, averaging 16.0 points while shooting 70.6% from the field and 70% from 3-point range. He missed Sacramento’s last two preseason games with what was initially believed to be a non-COVID-19 illness.
Murray entered the league’s protocol system Friday and did not attend the team’s annual Fan Fest on Sunday. He remained away from the team Monday and Tuesday before rejoining teammates for Wednesday’s morning shootaround.
Murray is considered a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. He was named Las Vegas Summer League MVP after averaging 23.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
This story was originally published October 19, 2022 at 12:29 PM.
