Keegan Murray is remaining confident throughout his shooting struggles

Dec 2, 2024, 3:46 PM | Updated: 3:50 pm

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings looks on against th...

Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings looks on against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on November 24, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

Sacramento Kings’ forward Keegan Murray is off to a slow start in 2024-25, his third season since being drafted fourth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Through 21 games, he’s averaging 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 41.5 percent from the field. Perhaps most concerning, however, has been his 27.4 percent conversion rate from three on 5.6 attempts per game.

After breaking the rookie record for made threes in a single season (206) on 41.1 percent in his debut season, he dipped down to 35.8 percent beyond the arc last season as mentioned, that downward trend has unfortunately carried over and spiraled into this season.

When speaking with reporters following Monday’s practice, the forward was asked about his frustration with his start to the year.

“I’m fine,” Keegan Murray said. “I feel like I’m in a good space. Obviously, things haven’t really gone my way this year, but I feel like a lot of guys on our team are in a good space. So, just being able to figure out how to win games is our biggest issue right now… it’s a long season, but I’m just staying confident.”

When asked if he’d ever been through a slump like this throughout his basketball career, the Iowa product pointed to his freshman season with the Hawkeyes, where he shot 29.6 percent from three.

“I’ve gone through this before,” he continued. “It’s just continuing to be able to stay working at it, and things will eventually even out.”

He’s had more defensive responsibilities, including rebounding, but Sacramento could use his increased offensive production after losing six of their last seven matchups.

More Kings coverage from Sactown Sports

The Sacramento Kings entered play on Sunday night, allowing their opponents to shoot 38.6 percent from three-point range this season (29th in the NBA).

In another close game that came down to the wire, the Kings’ poor three-point defense continued to rear its ugly head during a 127-125 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center.

San Antonio drilled a season-high 23 triples, surpassing their previous high of 22 set on November 11th–also against the Sacramento defense.

The Kings’ early-season woes have put them three games under the .500 mark (9-12), dropping them to 12th in the Western Conference standings.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

On Tuesday night, Sacramento will face the up-and-coming Houston Rockets at Golden 1 Center.

Last season, the Rockets swept the Kings, losing all three games in the regular-season head-to-head series.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Rockets action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 7:00 PM PT from downtown Sacramento.