Kings’ Murray ‘Happy’ To Start the Season Healthy

Keegan Murray enters the regular season healthy, and he's excited to play in the Sacramento Kings' road opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Murray nursed a lingering left ankle sprain last season. He sustained the sprain on Jan. 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks and missed 3-4 weeks.

The 26-year-old returned on Feb. 19 against the Orlando Magic after missing 21 games. Murray scored 41 points over three matches before re-aggravating his left ankle on Feb. 25 against the Houston Rockets.

Sacramento's fifth-year forward missed the rest of the season and underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery to remove loose bodies.

He spent the offseason rehabbing and is now healthy ahead of Wednesday's road opener. The 6-foot-8 forward said he's glad to start the season after missing last season's opener because of a torn UCL in his left thumb.

Murray's availability hit a career low, as injury limited him to 23 games. The Kings' 2022 first-round pick averaged 14 points on 42% shooting and 27.7% from three, both a career worst.

A bounce-back season could be in the cards for him, and Sacramento needs it.

He's entering the first year of his five-year, $140 million rookie contract extension signed last October. Murray will earn $24 million this season, the average for a quality starter.

The team struggled to shoot and defend last season. It tied with the Brooklyn Nets as the worst 3-point shooting team and finished with the third-worst defensive rating in NBA history.

Murray is an X-factor to the franchise's success. He's shown the capability to score 30-40 points off threes and defend on the perimeter.

The 26-year-old scored a career-high 47 points against the Utah Jazz on 12-for-15 from three on Dec. 16, 2023, paired with two steals.

As a vital part of the Kings' success, he must return to form quickly. General manager Scott Perry drafted Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh overall pick and is prioritizing a youth movement to rebuild the team.

His 6-foot-8, 225-pound frame helps him match up against bigger wings, and Murray has the lateral quickness to guard crafty scorers.

Murray averaged 1.6 blocks in 23 games last season, a promising defensive sign for the 26-year-old. He's a disciplined defender -- staying vertical and timing his blocks when the ball handler initiates contact.

A healthy Murray adds a versatile defender and reliable floor spacer to the starting lineup, balancing a lineup that's favored offense over the last several seasons.