Preview: Sacramento Kings hope to snap two-game skid against Suns

Nov 28, 2022, 8:57 AM | Updated: 1:53 pm

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox drives the ball against Torrey Craig #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the preseason NBA game at Footprint Center on October 12, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY FRANKIE CARTOSCELLI

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

After returning home from a road trip that saw a seven-game winning streak come to an end, the Sacramento Kings will be back in action on Monday night when the Phoenix Suns take the floor at Golden 1 Center.

Can the Kings extend its home winning streak to seven games? Will the Suns have future Hall of Fame guard Chris Paul available against Sacramento?

Here’s everything that you need to know for Kings vs Suns:

Mike Brown says that the team is encouraging struggling rookie Keegan Murray to keep shooting.

Brown only has one critique on Murray’s shot selection:

“If you drive to the basket, dunk on somebody. Do not give cats respect that they don’t deserve in this league.” pic.twitter.com/TlDb5xw3DJ

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) November 27, 2022

Where To Watch & Listen To Sacramento Kings vs Phoenix Suns

When: 7:00 PM PST

Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Pregame coverage starts at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night

Tickets: Click here

What To Watch For

Can Keegan Murray Break Through The Wall?

Rookie forward Keegan Murray has looked lost during the past two weeks of action.

Over the past 11 games, Murray is averaging 7.2 points per game on 32 percent shooting from the field and 26 percent shooting from beyond the three-point line. The fourth-overall pick from June’s NBA Draft is getting open looks on the perimeter, but the shots aren’t falling right now as the rookie has hit somewhat of a ‘rookie wall’ just 17 games into his career.

Kings head coach Mike Brown voiced words of encouragement for Murray during Sunday’s practice as he stated that the team is telling the forward to keep shooting the basketball. As questions mount surrounding Murray’s status in the starting lineup, it’s expected that Brown will not make any changes in that regard as Sacramento has won seven of its past nine games with the current lineup construction.

Of course, Brown has long said that what matters more to him is which players are on the floor late in games, not for the tip-off. We could see more closing lineups that include Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell, or even KZ Okpala for a defensive punch if Murray’s struggles continue.

Fox vs Booker

Two Kentucky Wild Cats will face off on Monday night.

De’Aaron Fox and Devin Booker will face off for the 11th time in their careers, and the two stars will be playing a tiebreaker of sorts as the head-to-head series is locked in a 5-5 tie:

(Stathead.com)

As Fox hopes to secure the first All-Star nod of his career, he will have to rack up some meaningful wins against formidable opponents like Booker and the Western Conference-leading Suns.

Recent History

Sacramento and Phoenix split a four-game set last season
The Kings are seeking their first win vs Phoenix at Golden 1 Center since December 26, 2020