The injury bug hasn’t just bitten the Sacramento Kings this season-it’s practically taken up residence. With Domantas Sabonis already sidelined for an extended stretch, the Kings are now navigating yet another critical absence: Keegan Murray. The second-year forward is working his way back from a moderate left ankle sprain, and while there’s some progress, Sacramento fans will need to stay patient.
According to the team, Murray has been cleared for on-court contact, a key step in his recovery timeline. He’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks, which puts his potential return somewhere in the latter part of February-if everything goes according to plan.
That’s a big “if.”
This is Murray’s second significant injury this season. He missed time earlier in the year and then went down again on January 6 against the Bucks.
Since then, it’s been a waiting game. And while re-evaluation in mid-February offers a glimmer of hope, it’s far from a guarantee.
Medical staff will use that checkpoint to assess his progress and determine the next steps. Best case?
He’s back shortly after. Worst case?
We’re talking about a March return.
The timing couldn’t be worse for a Kings team that’s been trying to find its footing all season long. Sabonis’ absence already forced Sacramento to reshuffle its identity, and now Murray’s prolonged time off the court has only added to the instability. The Kings have dealt with injuries across the board this year, starting with Murray’s early-season absence, a handful of short-term setbacks, and then the Sabonis blow.
Murray’s situation is especially frustrating because of what he represents for this franchise. Sacramento has made it clear: he’s a cornerstone.
They’ve built their current strategy around his development and his ability to grow into a leadership role. That’s a tall order for any young player, but Murray has shown flashes of being up to the challenge-when he’s healthy.
That’s the key phrase: when he’s healthy.
Two extended injury stints in one season raise fair questions about durability. It doesn’t mean the Kings are ready to hit the panic button, but it does put some pressure on both the player and the front office.
Sacramento has committed to Murray as a foundational piece of the rebuild. They need him on the floor, not in street clothes.
That’s not to say Murray’s absence is the sole reason for the team’s struggles. There are bigger-picture issues at play.
The roster still needs time to gel, especially with rookies and new faces trying to find their roles. But having Murray in the lineup-healthy and in rhythm-would go a long way toward speeding up that process.
The Kings are in a holding pattern right now, waiting on a player they believe can help define the next chapter of their franchise. Whether that chapter begins in late February or sometime in March remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Sacramento needs Keegan Murray back, and they need him at full strength.