Kings-Magic gameday live: Murray vs. Banchero in marquee rookie matchup; Fox injury watch
Note: Come back to this story throughout the day for the latest news, notes and injury updates on today’s game.
Two of the NBA’s top rookies will go head-to-head in their first showdown of the season when the Kings visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday at Amway Center.
Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Kings forward Keegan Murray are two of the early frontrunners for Rookie of the Year. Banchero was No. 1 in NBA.com’s latest Rookie Ladder. Murray was No. 3.
Murray is averaging 15.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks for the Kings (2-5). He is shooting 48.6% from the field, 37.2% from long distance and 85.7% at the line. He struggled a bit in the first two games of the team’s current four-game road trip, scoring a total of 19 points on 8-of-22 shooting.
Banchero is averaging 21.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 blocks for the Magic (2-7). He is shooting 44.4% from the field, 25% from 3-point range and 73.6% at the free-throw line.
Banchero came out of Duke as the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Murray came out of Iowa as the No. 4 pick. They had a memorable battle when they met for the first time at the Las Vegas Summer League.
Banchero had 23 points, six rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks to lead Orlando to a 94-92 double-overtime victory. He went 6 of 15 from the field but made 11 of 15 free-throw attempts.
Murray had 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists for Sacramento. He made 5 of 11 field-goal attempts and 4 of 8 from beyond the arc, including a clutch 3-pointer that sent the game into overtime, capping a crazy 18-point comeback over the final 4:22 of regulation.
Banchero had high praise for Murray when asked about their matchup after the game.
“Awesome,” Banchero said. “He’s a great player. Tremendous offense, man. He’s a shotmaker. Every time he shoots, it’s almost like I think it’s going in. On that last one, I told him, I knew you were going to make it as soon as he shot it. He’s a great player and it was fun to compete against him.”
Fox watch
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox is listed as questionable against the Magic after missing Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat due to a bone bruise in his right knee. He sustained the injury in the first half of Monday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
A league source told The Sacramento Bee Fox was a full participant in Friday’s practice in Orlando. The team’s medical staff will monitor Fox’s condition before determining if he will play against the Magic.
Update on Fox
According to a league source, Fox has been cleared to return and will be available for Saturday’s game against the Magic.
Fox, who came out of Kentucky as the No. 5 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, is averaging 24.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists in his sixth season with the Kings. He is shooting career highs of 54.8% from the field, 38.7% from 3-point range and 84% at the free-throw line.
Magic injury update
Magic guard Terrence Ross has been cleared to return after missing Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors with a left knee contusion. Ross is averaging 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He is one of Orlando’s top 3-point shooters at 40.5%.
Kings at Magic
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Amway Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -4.0
Over/under: 227
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — De’Aaron Fox (knee). OUT — Keon Ellis (G League); Chima Moneke (G League); Neemias Queta (G League).
Magic: QUESTIONABLE — Terrence Ross (knee). OUT — Cole Anthony (oblique); Markelle Fultz (toe); Gary Harris (knee); Jonathan Isaac (knee); Mo Wagner (foot).
Upcoming schedule
11/5 at Orlando Magic
11/7 at Golden State Warriors
11/9 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
11/11 at Los Angeles Lakers
11/13 vs. Golden State Warriors
This story was originally published November 5, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
