The Sacramento Kings are eyeing a post-All-Star break return for forward Keegan Murray, who’s been sidelined since January 4 with a moderate left ankle sprain. While the team officially ruled him out for another two weeks, there’s optimism that he could be back on the floor as early as February 19, when the Kings host the Orlando Magic. That said, his status will hinge on how he responds to further evaluation in the days leading up to that matchup.
Murray’s absence has been felt on both ends of the floor. His defensive versatility and floor-spacing ability are integral to Sacramento’s system, and getting him back in the rotation could give the Kings a timely boost as they gear up for the stretch run. The key now is ensuring he’s fully healthy before ramping up again - the last thing Sacramento needs is a setback with one of their most promising young pieces.
Around the West:
In Brooklyn, Austin Reaves made his long-awaited return for the Lakers after missing 19 games with a calf strain - and while the shooting numbers weren’t sparkling (3-for-9 from the field), the impact was undeniable. Reaves tallied 15 points in just 21 minutes off the bench and finished with a +10 in a game the Lakers controlled from start to finish.
Head coach JJ Redick praised Reaves’ movement and confidence postgame, noting that he “looked like Austin.” With free agency looming this summer, Reaves is playing his way into a well-earned payday - and the Lakers are certainly glad to have his poise and playmaking back in the mix.
A Shift in Utah:
The trade that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. from Memphis to Utah is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment for both franchises. Sam Vecenie sees it as a potential win-win, but for the Jazz, it might be more than that - it could mark the beginning of the end of their rebuild. Tony Jones points out that Utah still has an incentive to protect its top-eight 2026 first-round pick, but the move signals a clear intent to start competing now.
Jackson, a former Defensive Player of the Year, brings exactly what the Jazz have been missing - a defensive anchor who can alter the game at the rim. Utah has ranked dead last in defensive rating for three straight seasons, and Jackson’s arrival could finally change that.
But he’s not coming alone. Fourth-year wing Vince Williams Jr., also acquired in the deal, is already drawing attention as a potential game-changer on the perimeter.
He might just be Utah’s best on-ball defender the moment he steps on the court.
The locker room in Salt Lake City is buzzing with excitement. While the players acknowledged the emotional toll of seeing four teammates head to Memphis, the upside of pairing Jackson with Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen has them thinking big.
Guard Keyonte George summed it up best: “That frontcourt is crazy.” He went on to praise head coach Will Hardy’s creativity, hinting at the kind of defensive schemes and lineup versatility that could make this Jazz team a problem in the West.
“Walker can be a great presence,” George said, “but now he also knows that he got somebody behind him. It’s rare that you can know somebody has got your back when you’re the person that’s got everybody back.”
With Jackson in the fold, the Jazz aren’t just adding talent - they’re reshaping their identity. And if the early reactions are any indication, they’re ready to turn the page on the rebuild and start climbing.