Murray, Kings Hoping To Secure First Win Of Season vs Clippers

Oct 22, 2022, 8:29 AM | Updated: Nov 8, 2022, 10:50 am

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings looks to pass the b...

(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Saturday night will be a special one at Golden 1 Center as rookie forward Keegan Murray is set to make his highly anticipated NBA debut against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Following Wednesday night’s disappointing loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings will look to secure its first win of the season against a shorthanded Clippers team in the first game of a home-road-back-to-back.

This weekend is shaping up to be a tough one for Sacramento as they will face a talented Clippers team on Saturday before heading over to the Bay Area on Sunday for a matchup with the reigning champion Golden State Warriors.

Here’s everything that you need to know for tonight’s matchup with the Clippers:

The Sacramento Kings have no players listed on tomorrow’s injury report vs the Clippers.

Looks like Keegan Murray will make his NBA debut on Saturday night at Golden 1 Center.

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 22, 2022

Where To Watch & Listen To Kings vs Clippers

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 to check if tickets are still available

What To Watch For

King Murray

He’s here.

Kings rookie Keegan Murray will make his NBA debut on Saturday night after missing Wednesday’s season opener due to health and safety protocols.

Will Mike Brown allow the prized rookie to start on day one? Or will Murray be a player that logs big minutes during the second half? It will be interesting to see how the 22-year-old is utilized in the rotation, as players like Trey Lyles and Terence Davis could see fewer minutes following Murray’s return.

The Keegan Murray era is set to begin in Sacramento.

Domantas Sabonis & Harrison Barnes

Wednesday’s season-opener against the Portland Trail Blazers was disappointing in a lot of ways, but the performances of Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes rank near the top of the list.

Both of the veteran talents struggled to find their offense during the loss as Sabonis (13 points and four rebounds over 33 minutes) had a tough time in the paint against Blazers forward Justise Winslow and Barnes (nine points on eight field goal attempts over 31 minutes) disappeared on the offensive end during the second half.

Can Sabonis and Barnes regain their 2021-22 season forms? If even one of the two can make an impact against Los Angeles, the Kings will be in a strong position to claim their first victory of the year.

Shorthanded Clippers

The Clippers are being very cautious with their superstar as forward Kawhi Leonard (knee injury management) is expected to sit out of Saturday’s contest.

During Thursday’s season-opener, Leonard played his first game since tearing his right ACL in during the NBA Playoffs on June 14, 2021. The veteran forward logged 21 minutes and scored 14 points on six-of-12 shooting from the field to go along with seven rebounds and one steal.

Although Leonard–along with John Wall (knee injury management)–will be sidelined during Saturday’s showdown at Golden 1 Center, the Clippers have plenty of firepower on its roster that will be able to hold the fort down until the two-time NBA Finals MVP can go full-tilt.

Look for the Kings to match up defensive wing KZ Okpala against All-Star forward Paul George during certain stretches tonight as Sacramento will hope to contain Los Angeles’ other dangerous wing.

Recent History

During the 2021-22 season, Sacramento and Los Angeles split a four-game season series with two wins apiece.
The Kings’ win over the Clippers back on December 4, 2021 was the team’s first-ever win over Los Angeles at Golden 1 Center, snapping a 13-game losing streak in the head-to-head matchup on their home floor that dated back to March of 2013–three years before Golden 1 Center was even built.
Since the beginning of the 2015-16 season, the Clippers have owned the Kings as they hold a 22-7 record over the 29 most-recent matchups.