Murray, Kings Steamroll Lakers In Preseason Opener

Oct 3, 2022, 10:18 PM | Updated: Oct 4, 2022, 8:39 am

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 03: Max Christie #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a three-point basket against Keon Ellis #23 of the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on October 3, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

BY FRANKIE CARTOSCELLI

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Sluggish offenses. Sloppy play by both teams early. Star players playing for less than 20 minutes. Blown leads (looking at you, Los Angeles).

Yeah. That’s preseason basketball, alright.

Monday’s preseason opener between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers didn’t have great re-watch potential, but these are the types of games that NBA teams must go through to get ready for the regular season. If one thing stuck out on Monday, it’s this: Keegan Murray is very fun to watch.

Thanks to a strong preseason debut by the fourth-overall pick in June’s NBA Draft, the Kings were able to secure a 105-75 win at crypto.com Arena.

Keegan’s turn for a steal and slam 💥 pic.twitter.com/BwoYSlOZY8

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 4, 2022

Game Story

If I were to tell you that the Kings offense shot 32 percent from the field and 11 percent from three-point range during the first half, it would be fair to assume that the Lakers took a massive lead into the halftime break.

Well, that wasn’t the case on Monday night.

Although Sacramento struggled to find its flow on the offensive end during the first 24 minutes of play, Mike Brown’s defense was in effect early as the Kings held Los Angeles to 31 percent shooting from the field and 23 percent shooting from beyond the arc during the first half.

Thanks to an offensive burst from De’Aaron Fox near the end of the second quarter (seven points over the final five minutes of the period), the Kings kept this one within arms-reach entering the second half.

De’Aaron swipes and slams 🦊 pic.twitter.com/SPxVj7DGxZ

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 4, 2022

Fox’s strong finish to the first half would be the last that we would see of the speedy guard as Brown followed through on his plan to only play his starters during the first two quarters. When the third quarter started, Sacramento rolled out its bench unit of Davion Mitchell, Malik Monk, Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles, and Richaun Holmes.

It only took 90 seconds for Sacramento’s bench unit to give the Kings its first lead of the game following back-to-back triples from Mitchell and Monk.

Then, Murray promptly introduced himself to those that might have missed his MVP performance during NBA Summer League.

The Iowa product put on a display during the third quarter, scoring nine of his team-high 16 points in the period to help lead Sacramento to a 76-59 lead entering the fourth. After scoring just 41 points during the first half, Sacramento outscored Los Angeles 35-13 in the third quarter thanks to 52 percent shooting from the field.

Unlike most of last season, the third quarter was the positive difference in this game for the Kings as both teams’ third-string players finished this one out until the final horn sounded.

When the dust settled, Sacramento had outscored 64-29 in the second half. Preseason or regular season, that is how you turn the book on a brutal start to a basketball game.

NBA, Meet Keegan Murray

Although the fourth-overall pick didn’t start on Monday, Keegan Murray had an impressive showing in his NBA preseason debut.

Murray got off to a strong start early, scoring seven points on three-of-six shooting during 13 minutes of play in the first half. The rookie’s night was just getting started as he went on to lead all Kings scorers with 16 points on seven-of-10 shooting from the field (two-of-three from beyond the arc).

Much like we saw during his MVP performance in Las Vegas, Murray put work in on the glass (six rebounds) and defensive end (two steals) during his brief 20-minute debut.

“It was good for all of us. Personally, putting on a Kings uniform for the first time in live action, it was good to go against someone else instead of in practice,” Murray said following the win.

Keegan with a game-high 16 points 👀pic.twitter.com/LKJXWiCzxY

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 4, 2022

Defensive wing KZ Okpala got the start on Monday night, but Murray logged minutes with the starting unit near the end of the first half. Once play opened up in the third quarter, the 22-year-old was the focal point of the offense as Sacramento mounted its game-sealing run.

Murray, as he looked in college and Summer League, appeared calm and collected during the win over Los Angeles. Over his 20 minutes of play, the rookie didn’t turn the ball over, adding to Sacramento’s impressive night on the offensive end (seven turnovers as a team).

It will be interesting to see if Brown rolls out a starting lineup that includes Murray when the Kings face Portland on Sunday at Golden 1 Center. Sure, it might just be one preseason game, but it’s already clear that Sacramento’s starting lineup should include the team’s prized 2022 draft pick.

High school, college, NBA Summer League, and now preseason. No matter the setting, Murray has answered the call. Let’s see if he can do it in a starting NBA role.

Keegan Murray’s postgame interview with Gary Gerould

Rounding Out The Sacramento Kings Box Score

De’Aaron Fox and Richaun Holmes added 10 points a piece during the win. Outside of Murray’s 20-minute performance, no other Kings player logged more than 17 minutes of action on Monday night.
Malik Monk added eight points (three-of-11 shooting) and six rebounds over 14 minutes during his Kings debut.
Matthew Dellavedova was the third-string point guard on Monday, logging nine minutes of play (no points). The Australian veteran is battling Quinn Cook for a spot on Sacramento’s 15-man roster.

Notes & Observations

After shooting 33 percent from the field during the first half, Sacramento shot 48 percent during the second half. The second unit turned a corner and found a rhythm on the offensive end.
Keon Ellis had some impressive defensive sequences during the win. During his seven minutes of play, the rookie swiped a steal and blocked two shots. Ellis is on a two-way contract and is line to get plenty of playing time with the Kings’ G-League affiliate in Stockton.

Keon Ellis joins the fun. pic.twitter.com/Zx0sb43Rog

— Kings Film Room (@SacFilmRoom) October 4, 2022

Kevin Huerter scored five points over 14 minutes, but his presence in the starting lineup was notable. The 24-year-old’s ability to move without the ball, spot up on the perimeter, and hit streaking teammates will be useful in a lineup that includes De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

Coming Up

Sacramento will return home for nearly a full week of practice before facing the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center on Sunday evening.

Last season, the Kings took two out of three regular-season matchups against the Blazers, although Portland took the most-recent matchup back on January 9th at the Moda Center.

The Kings and Blazers’ matchup on Sunday will act as a dress rehearsal for October 19th’s season-opening game between the two teams–a game that will also take place at Golden 1 Center.

You can get all of your Kings vs Blazers coverage right here on Sactown Sports 1140 beginning at 4:30 pm PST on Game Night with Scott Marsh before a 6:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.