Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown said on Monday that rookie Keegan Murray is still in the NBA’s health and safety protocol ahead of the start of the regular season.
Murray missed the final two games of the preseason due to what the Kings called a non-COVID illness. He practiced with the team on Thursday, but was ruled out of playing in their finale on Friday after entering the protocol.
The team is evaluating Murray daily and will give him the time needed to recover. Brown would want him to participate in at least one practice before returning to game action, leaving his status for the season opener on Wednesday in question, via James Ham of ESPN 1320.
A guy that is out that long, I would not have him play without practice. There is zero pressure at all. We want him to come back the right way. We play 82 games, if he misses one or two, he’ll be fine. There is no pressure there. We just want him to go through the protocol the right way and make sure he is concentrating on relaxing and getting his rest and getting his mind right before coming back.
Murray had a great preseason run with the Kings over his two appearances, averaging 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, two steals and one assist on 70% shooting from 3-point range. He scored 16 points in each game and drained seven total 3s on 10 attempts.
The fourth pick figures to play a large role with the Kings this season, and could even start at some point. Brown has been non-committal as to who would start at the power forward position but Murray projects to be in the running.
Murray has performed at a high level in each game to this point between the summer league and the preseason. He looks poised for a strong rookie campaign and will be among the players expected to help the Kings snap their 16-year playoff drought this year.
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