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Kings
Keegan Murray’s preseason hit a brief snag Friday night after he exited with a left thumb injury against the Trail Blazers, as The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson relays. The Kings forward was ruled out for the second half after scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds in 16 minutes.
It’s unclear how serious the injury is, though early signs suggest Sacramento was being cautious. Murray is eligible for a rookie extension through Oct. 20, and the Kings have no reason to rush him back.
One bright spot came from Dario Saric, who went 4-for-4 from deep and scored 14 points in just 14 minutes, noted James Ham of The Kings Beat. The veteran big man, who played sparingly last season in Denver, could earn a rotation look if he keeps stretching the floor like that.
Magic
Orlando’s revamped backcourt is starting to click. Tyus Jones and Desmond Bane started together for the second straight game, joining Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. in the first five, writes Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel.
Carter was dominant in the Magic’s 30-point win over Philadelphia, posting 20 points and 13 rebounds in only 21 minutes. Coach Jamahl Mosley praised Carter’s leadership and physicality, saying that his “presence around the rim” changes the way Orlando plays.
Beede also noted that Orlando’s second unit featured a youth-heavy group of Anthony Black, Jase Richardson, Jett Howard, Tristan Da Silva and Goga Bitadze — a sign of how well the Magic have blended experience with upside.
Hornets
Brandon Miller likes what he’s seeing from rookie wing Kon Knueppel, saying that Knueppel has come in with “confidence and that competitive spirit” and that “you can’t ask for much more,” via The Charlotte Observer’s Roderick Boone.
Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick in June, has drawn early praise for his poise and energy. With Miller and Knueppel leading the way, Charlotte suddenly has two top-five wings from consecutive drafts.
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