SACRAMENTO KINGS

Keegan Murray says Kings are sticking together and “righting the ship”

Jan 21, 2025, 2:27 PM | Updated: Jan 22, 2025, 9:08 am

Keegan Murray joined The Allen Stiles Show after Tuesday’s practice to break down how the Sacramento Kings are “righting the ship” under interim head coach Doug Christie.

Since he took over for Mike Brown, the Kings are 9-2, climbing to 8th in the Western Conference.

“(Christie’s) obviously been a Sacramento King before, playing at Arco, and he knows how loud it can get, how fun it can be to play at home, and how troubling it can be for opposing teams to play there,” Keegan Murray said.

Sacramento’s 123-100 home win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday, they improved to 12-12 after their unideal start hosting teams in Golden 1 Center.

“He knows that before he started coaching, we weren’t great at home, and he’s just righted the ship with our intensity, our focus at home to win games, get the crowd into it.”

Murray currently averages 11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 42.1 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from three on 5.7 attempts per game. While it’s a career-low in points and conversion rate, he’s been shining since returning from a few days off to let an ankle injury (which he had been playing through) fully heal.

“I feel like I’m playing at a high level,” Murray told Stiles. “Obviously, statistically, the three-point shot isn’t falling, but everything else I’m playing at a high level. When (the shot) comes it comes, and [I’m] just continuing to work at it.”

The Kings are hoping to continue their climb up the Western Conference standings, with Wednesday’s home matchup against the Golden State Warriors next on their schedule. Extremely familiar with the other NorCal team, Murray looks forward to the matchup.

“There’s always juice when we play them just because we’re so close in miles apart and obviously the playoff series, the play-in. We’ve seen them each year in the postseason, so I feel like there’s really good competition and things like that. I’m sure people call it a rivalry, but we know it’s a tough game every single we play them. It’s always a good game, so we’re excited to get after it tomorrow.”

It’ll be Sacramento’s chance to get back above .500 in Golden 1 Center.

More Kings coverage on Sactown Sports

DeMar DeRozan is a certified bucket. There’s no denying that and no greater proof exists than his status as top-30 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and climbing.

With his made-field goal in the final seconds of the second quarter against the Washington Wizards, he surpassed Allen Iverson for 29th.

DeRozan ended the night with 24 points, taking his career total to 24,379 points compared to Iverson’s 24,368.

The only other active players ranking higher are Stephen Curry (24,446 – 28th), Russell Westbrook (25,760 – 21st), James Harden (26,738), Kevin Durant (29,796 – 8th), and LeBron James (41,355 – 1st).

Read more:

DeMar DeRozan passes Allen Iverson on all-time scoring list (29th)

Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings

  • Wednesday, January 22nd – vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
  • Thursday, January 23rd – @ Denver Nuggets – 6:00 PM PT
  • Saturday, January 25th – @ New York Knicks – 4:30 PM PT
  • Sunday, January 27th – @ Brooklyn Nets – 4:30 PM PT
  • Wednesday, January 29th – @ Philadelphia 76ers –4:30 PM PT

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Newsletter

Sacramento Kings

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings looks for a pass ag...

Brenden Nunes

Mavs will be down Anthony Davis when Kings pay a visit

The Sacramento Kings head to Dallas to take on the Mavericks, who will be without new-addition Anthony Davis.

59 minutes ago

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 06: Zach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the second h...

Brenden Nunes

Kings overcome 20-pt deficit, defeat Pelicans 123-118

The Sacramento Kings overcame a 20-point deficiet Sunday night, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 123-118 in Golden 1 Center.

2 days ago

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 06: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball as Do...

Brenden Nunes

Simons spoils Valanciunas debut, Blazers defeat Kings 108-102

Simons (30 pts) spoiled Valanciunas' Sacramento debut, as the red-hot Trail Blazers defeated the Kings 108-102 Thursday night in Portland.

4 days ago

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 31: Jake LaRavia #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies points after dunking the ...

Brenden Nunes

A look at the Sacramento Kings post-deadline roster

A look at the Sacramento Kings roster after acquiring Zach LaVine, Jonas Valancuinas, and Jake LaRavia at the NBA trade deadline.

4 days ago

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 21: Jake LaRavia #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after a defensive s...

Brenden Nunes

Report: Sacramento add Jake LaRavia in trade with Memphis

In the final minutes of the 25-25 NBA trade deadline, Sacramento Kings GM Monte McNair acquired 6'7 Jake LaRavia from the Grizzlies.

4 days ago

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28: Deandre Ayton #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots over Dom...

Field Level Media

Kings look to atone for ‘unacceptable’ effort in clash vs. Blazers

Sacramento Kings interim coach Doug Christie didn't mince words ahead of his team's clash with the in-form Trail Blazers in Portland on Thursday night.

4 days ago

Keegan Murray says Kings are sticking together and “righting the ship”