Keegan Murray Returns to On-Court Workouts as Kings Look to Snap Brutal Skid
The Sacramento Kings are in the middle of a nine-game freefall, and while the losses keep piling up, there’s finally a flicker of good news: Keegan Murray is back on the court. Not in games just yet, but the 25-year-old forward has been cleared for on-court activities, marking a key step in his recovery from a left ankle sprain that’s sidelined him since early January.
The injury, which Murray suffered against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 4, was initially expected to keep him out 3-4 weeks. We're now past that window, but the Kings are taking a cautious approach-and understandably so.
Tuesday’s update from the team confirmed that Murray is progressing in his rehab and will be reevaluated in two weeks. In the meantime, he’s ramping up his activity, moving from individual work to full-contact drills.
For a team that’s dropped nine straight and is staring down the barrel of a potential 12-game losing streak-the longest of the Sacramento era-this is more than just a medical update. It’s a morale boost.
Murray’s return won’t magically fix what’s ailing the Kings, but it does offer a much-needed jolt of optimism. Before the injury, he was averaging 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks over 19 games.
The shooting numbers weren’t pretty-his 47.7% effective field goal percentage is the lowest of his career-but that’s not the full story. Murray has shown flashes of being a high-efficiency, two-way contributor in the past, and there’s reason to believe he can get back to that level once he’s healthy and in rhythm.
What’s also intriguing is how Murray’s return might intersect with the Kings’ newest addition: De’Andre Hunter. The former Cavaliers forward brings a similar skill set-versatile defense, spot-up shooting, and the ability to guard multiple positions. The idea of pairing two switchable wings like Murray and Hunter gives Sacramento something to build around, even if the results this season don’t turn around overnight.
The chemistry between those two will be one of the more interesting subplots to watch once Murray is fully back in the rotation. Can they complement each other on both ends?
Can they help stabilize a Kings defense that’s been leaking points during this skid? It’s early, but there’s potential there-especially if both players can find their footing and stay healthy.
Of course, there’s another layer to all this. With the Kings sliding further down the standings, some fans and observers are already wondering whether the front office might lean into a quiet tank. That’s not something the team has publicly acknowledged, but in a year where the playoffs are starting to feel out of reach, decisions about minutes and rotations could get complicated.
Still, from a player development standpoint, getting Murray back on the floor is a win. He’s a foundational piece, and every rep he gets alongside Hunter and the rest of the core matters-whether it’s about salvaging this season or setting the tone for the next one.
For now, the Kings will wait out the next two weeks and hope that Murray’s ankle continues to respond well. If all goes according to plan, he could be back in uniform before the team hits that dreaded 12-loss mark. And for a franchise that desperately needs something to rally around, even a small spark like this could go a long way.