Kings-Clippers gameday live: Kawhi Leonard, John Wall out; Keegan Murray set for NBA debut
Note: Come back to this story throughout the day for the latest news, notes and injury updates on today’s game.
The Kings will be at full strength when rookie first-round draft pick Keegan Murray makes his highly anticipated NBA debut against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night at Golden 1 Center.
The Clippers will be missing five-time All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and John Wall, but they will still be a formidable foe with one of the deepest and most talented teams in the league.
Leonard and Wall were ruled out Thursday due to injury management as the Clippers prepare to play the Kings on the first night of a back-to-back. The Clippers will return to Los Angeles for their home opener against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Leonard, a two-time NBA champion and finals MVP, missed the 2021-22 season with a partial ACL tear in his right knee. He had 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting with seven rebounds in 21 minutes in a season-opening 103-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wall, who averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists with the Houston Rockets in 2020-21 before sitting out last season, has been hobbled in recent years by a troublesome left knee and other injuries. Wall signed with the Clippers over the summer. He came off the bench behind Reggie Jackson to post 15 points, four rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes against the Lakers.
Clippers coach Ty Lue still has an abundance of talent on a team with championship aspirations and a $192 million payroll. Lue will likely start Jackson, Paul George, Norman Powell, Marcus Morris Sr. and Ivica Zubac with Luke Kennard, Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum and Terance Mann coming off the bench.
Kings coach Mike Brown will deploy a weapon he didn’t have in Wednesday’s season-opening loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Murray, a top Rookie of the Year candidate who came out of Iowa as the No. 4 pick in June’s NBA draft, was held out in the final stages of his recovery from COVID-19.
Murray was the Las Vegas Summer League MVP and the best player at the California Classic. He showed the same composure and shot-making ability in two preseason appearances, leading the team in scoring at 16.0 points per game. He made 12 of 17 (.706) field-goal attempts and 7 of 10 (.700) from 3-point range.
Murray said he was eager to return after witnessing the atmosphere in Wednesday’s season opener.
“We have one of the best fanbases in the NBA,” Murray said. “So just being able to play in front of them and get a win — that’s my biggest goal — I think it will be really special once I’m able to get back on the floor.”
Clippers at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Clippers -3.0
Over/under: 221
Injury report
Clippers: OUT — Kawhi Leonard (right knee injury management); John Wall (left knee injury management.)
Kings: None.
Upcoming schedule
10/22 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
10/23 at Golden State Warriors
10/27 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
10/29 vs. Miami Heat
10/31 at Charlotte Hornets
This story was originally published October 22, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
