Kings' Keegan Murray Sidelined 4-6 Weeks with Thumb Injury, Misses Season Start

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray will miss the start of the season after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb during Friday night's preseason loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The team announced Sunday that Murray will undergo surgery and be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. A full six-week recovery could see the 25-year-old return by November 24 for the team's 18th game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Murray, the No. 4 pick in 2022, averaged 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds last season and has only missed 13 career games due to injury. He is entering the final year of his four-year, $36.3 million deal and is eligible for an extension this month, with restricted free agency looming next summer if no deal is reached. His absence is a significant blow as the Kings open their regular season on October 22 against the Phoenix Suns. Interim head coach Doug Christie experimented with rookie Maxime Raynaud, the No. 42 overall pick, as a potential replacement, noting the value of preseason reps for talented players like Raynaud, who averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds at Stanford.