The Sacramento Kings continue to be hindered by countless injuries, but that has led to extended opportunities for some of their young players, and Keegan Murray is looking to capitalize on that as he returns from an ankle injury.

Following Wednesday’s practice, the team announced a slew of different injuries. Former All-Stars Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Zach LaVine (finger) are both out for the season due to needed surgeries.

Rookie Dylan Cardwell also rolled his ankle on Monday, leaving him to be re-evaluated in four weeks.

The positive update came that Murray is expected to return for Thursday’s home game against the Orlando Magic. De’Andre Hunter, their lone trade deadline addition, was also a full participant in practice, with an update on his status expected soon.

Per the Kings:

– Domantas Sabonis had successful surgery on his left knee this morning to repair his partial meniscus tear

– They also confirmed that Zach LaVine is in surgery to repair a tendon tear in his right fifth finger

– Also, Dylan Cardwell sprained his left ankle…

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) February 18, 2026

As Sacramento’s head coach, Doug Christie, and general manager, Scott Perry, agree that the team’s focus shifted to developing its young talent, Murray becomes an essential part of the team’s final 26 games of the 2025-26 season.

The fourth overall pick in 2022 has played just 19 games this season due to various injuries. He’s missed the last 20 games with a left ankle sprain, a new experience for the 25-year-old forward.

“This is the first ankle sprain I’ve ever had,” Murray said after Wednesday’s practice. “So, it took a while for it to recover. But it’s been good. I feel like I turned the corner during the All-Star break when I was here, recovering and things like that. So, ready to go for the rest of the season.”

Coming into the season, Murray stated his aspirations to win the Most Improved Player award. Obviously, injuries have derailed that goal, but he’s been fairly underwhelming in the limited minutes he’s played.

In 19 games, the 6’8 forward has averaged 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting just 42.9 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from three on 4.8 attempts per game. Both conversion rates are a career-low.

“It’s kind of been a stagnant year for me, just being out for a lot of games, coming back, being out, and things like that,” he said. “So just trying to gain a rhythm and just see some progression as I go into the summer.”

Eight of the Kings final 26 games come against teams out of the playoff picture. With potential to be the number one or two option alongside DeMar DeRozan, Murray is viewing this stretch as “a big opportunity.”

“I think it’s a big opportunity for me just to kind of grow as a player,” he continued. “I mean, with DeMar these last couple years, [De’Aaron] Fox guys like that, I haven’t been able to take those big shots and things like that and those in those moments…. just to be able to grow in those moments and be able to make and take shots that win or lose games. I think that’s the thing that I haven’t really done in my career so far.”

Those opportunities are crucial for a young player’s growth. Coach Christie recognizes that and shared a similar sentiment to his starting wing.

“This is a really big moment and opportunity for Keegan to find those moments, because those are the things that you take into the offseason,” Christie said. “And those are the memories, and those are the things that you watch on video, and those are things that you rep out trying to make sure that you’re successful or improve upon or whatever. So this is a big opportunity for him to come back and find his rhythm.”

“He has the very big green light to be aggressive in transition, to pull up, to draw fouls, get to the free throw line, drawing up ATOs and different things for him, and that means for him to be aggressive,” Christie continued. “But it also means that he grows and reads the game because, you know, as you get farther down in the scouting report, all of a sudden they start to take things away from you, and that’s where he has to expand his game as well.”

While the Kings aren’t playing for any postseason seeding, a promising final 26 games from Murray would be one of the most encouraging ways they could head into what’s expected to be a big offseason.

It seems like all parties involved understand the importance and are looking to capitalize on that as their season winds down.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

The Sacramento Kings will return from the All-Star break on Thursday, February 19th, and face the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center.

Last season, Orlando swept the season series vs. Sacramento (2-0).

Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Orlando Magic action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season

Thursday, February 19th vs. Orlando Magic – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, February 21st @ San Antonio Spurs – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, February 23rd @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 25th – @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
Thursday, February 26th @ Dallas Mavericks – 5:30 PM PT

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