Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray will make first career start vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Kings coach Mike Brown is making a change to his starting lineup going into Thursday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Brown confirmed rookie first-round draft pick Keegan Murray will make his first career start when the Kings face the Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center.
“Just to let you guys know, because I know everybody is excited about this, Keegan is going to start tomorrow,” Brown said following practice Wednesday. “So, you can put that out there, and you can tell the Grizzlies and whoever else you want to tell.”
Murray will start with De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes and Domantas Sabonis. That group has a plus/minus rating of plus-55.3 in 11 minutes together this season. The lineup of Fox, Huerter, Barnes, Okpala and Sabonis has a minus-12.7 rating in 25 minutes.
The change comes with the Kings still searching for their first win of the season after losing to the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors. KZ Okpala will move into a backup role after starting the first three games.
“For me, especially with the teams that I’ve been a part of, it’s more about who is in at the end of the game or end of the first half,” Brown said. “Those guys are usually the guys who are expected to take you home in that particular game. Whether you start, come in at the three-minute mark or the six-minute mark, it’s all the same. You have to play hard and do your job.”
Fox said the team will benefit from Murray’s ability to shoot and space the floor.
“I think it helps us tremendously,” Fox said. “When he gets on the floor, you feel the spacing increase. When you have somebody like Draymond (Green) not trying to help off of you, that’s the ultimate respect, so I think everybody in the league pretty much knows what he can do, and he can help us, not only with shooting, but just with his entire package.”
Murray, the No. 4 pick in June’s NBA draft, missed the season opener against the Blazers while recovering from COVID-19. He came off the bench against the Clippers and Warriors, averaging 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 54.2% from the field and 43.8% from 3-point range.
Barnes said he has been impressed with Murray’s poise and believes he will continue to thrive as a starter.
“I think it will be great,” Barnes said. “I think the way he’s playing right now, his ability to space the floor and create shots, can help us start off games the right way. I think he’ll be great.”
This story was originally published October 26, 2022 at 2:50 PM.
