Back In Action: Holmes, Murray Return To Practice

Oct 13, 2022, 3:28 PM | Updated: 3:36 pm

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 14: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings looks on in the secon...

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Some familiar faces were back in action at Golden 1 Center’s practice facility on Thursday afternoon.

Richaun Holmes and Keegan Murray were both full participants during the Sacramento Kings’ practice as both players are aiming to return to play on Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.

“It feels great to be back out here, back on the court,” Holmes said following Thursday’s practice. The veteran center told the media that he feels fully recovered from his illness, adding that he believes his conditioning is “even better than before” it was prior to his absence.

Holmes had missed Sacramento’s past two preseason games after experiencing non-COVID illness symptoms last week. During Tuesday’s practice, Holmes’ attempt at a return to action was cut short as the 28-year-old experienced discomfort during the session.

Murray missed Tuesday’s practice due to a non-COVID illness and did not travel with the team to Phoenix for Wednesday’s preseason matchup. The rookie forward was seen getting reps in with a group that included De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes, and Chima Moneke.

*Keegan Murray is also included in this group*

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 13, 2022

While the Kings will likely have Holmes and Murray back in the fold for Friday’s preseason finale, starting shooting guard Kevin Huerter might be sidelined against the Lakers due to ankle soreness.

According to head coach Mike Brown, the 24-year-old didn’t participate in Thursday’s practice, but Huerter was seen out on the floor getting shots up near the end of the session.

It’s common for teams to rest players that are experiencing mild discomfort or ailments during the end of preseason, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Kings play it safe with Huerter as Wednesday’s opening night matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers approaches.

Brown didn’t seem too worried about Huerter’s injury, and the Maryland product looked unbothered while moving around and getting his shots up at the end of practice.

With Huerter sidelined, Sacramento will likely start Malik Monk next to De’Aaron Fox in the backcourt on Friday, setting the stage for the Kentucky duo’s first professional game together as starters.

Revolving Four

After starting at the power forward spot during Sacramento’s first two preseason games, KZ Okpala did not play during Wednesday’s win over the Phoenix Suns.

Trey Lyles got the start at the power forward spot with Keegan Murray sidelined due to a non-COVID illness.

When asked about the choice to bench Okpala against Phoenix, head coach Mike Brown told the media that he knows what he has in his forward and is looking to see what else he has in this roster with final roster cuts approaching.

“I just wanted to give other guys an opportunity,” Brown said of the decision to start Lyles on Wednesday. “I personally know what KZ brings to the table and what he can do for us.”

Starters for @SacramentoKings vs. Phoenix Suns – 10/12:

G – De’Aaron Fox
G – Kevin Huerter
F – Trey Lyles
F – Harrison Barnes
C – Domantas Sabonis

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 13, 2022

With just one preseason game remaining, it appears that Brown will roll out another starting lineup without Okpala as Thursday’s practice saw six players getting reps in with the first unit: Fox, Monk, Barnes, Murray, Moneke, and Sabonis. One of Murray or Moneke could secure their first start of the preseason during Friday’s game against Los Angeles.

Although Murray, Moneke, or even Lyles could get the starting nod, it’s still possible that Brown opts to start Okpala during the opening games of the season as he aims to set the tone on the defensive end, an aspect of Kings basketball that has been severely lacking a punch over the past 15-plus years.

It’s still a mystery who Brown will select as his starting power forward come opening night, but one thing is becoming clear: Sacramento’s new head coach has no problem keeping things close to the vest.