Keegan Murray on how G1C’s playoff atmosphere motivates him

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray closed his 2025-26 season reflecting on a year defined by injuries and limited availability.

The fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft appeared in just 23 games, averaging 14.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.0 steals while shooting 42 percent from the field and 27 percent from deep.

Murray missed 59 games due to hand and ankle injuries, with the latter ultimately ending his season in February.

During his end-of-season press conference, the fourth-year forward described the emotional toll of another disrupted year, one that also saw Sacramento finish with a lackluster 22-60 record.

“Mentally, it was tough because you go through the whole summer working out again, right for the long season, and then it just gets taken away pretty quick, especially with the thumb surgery,” Murray said. “But it was definitely a mentally taxing year for sure.”

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

More from Keegan Murray

Keegan Murray also detailed the setback that he had with his sprained ankle that prevented a late-season return.

“The second ankle injury was rough, the one in Houston, and I tried to ramp back up so I could play, like, a couple weeks, and then had a pretty rough setback,” Murray explained.

“I think it was, like, in the middle of March or so. So then at that point, it was kind of just trying to get it to heal the right way. And at that point, it was just kind of too late to ramp back up and get back on the court.”

Although Murray was on the shelf for most of this season, he learned a lot by watching a talented trio of rookies that included Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell.

“I spent a lot of time with the coaching staff, and for me, it was great to just see visually how the rookies play, how our young guys played, and they played a lot better towards the end of the season,” Murray said.

“And with that being our future, it’s kind of for me just building a connection with them and watching them grow and see where I can fit in with how they play, and they’ve shown a lot, and they’ve been really good.”

Murray, who spent most of his last offseason away from Sacramento, says he plans on sticking around this summer as he looks to build chemistry with the rookies and the Kings’ eventual 2026 draft picks.

(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Keegan Murray also spoke about what drives him forward after playoff swings and injuries. He remains anchored to the franchise’s brief, recent postseason peak at Golden 1 Center, which occurred during his rookie season in 2022-23.

“I feel like I’m hooked on the memory of, like, Golden 1 Center in the playoffs, and that’s kind of the feeling I chase, and I’m one of the few guys on this team that know that feeling.”

Keegan Murray has also secured a five-year, $140 million contract extension that begins next season, cementing his long-term future with the Sacramento Kings organization.

He is expected to return fully healthy and play a key two-way role next season for Sacramento as they build around their young core moving forward–a core that will also bring a high NBA Draft lottery pick into the fold come June.

Be sure to check out all of the Sacramento Kings’ end-of-season press conferences on the Sactown Sports YouTube page.

When is the next Sacramento Kings offseason date of interest?

The Sacramento Kings will now look ahead to the highly anticipated NBA Draft Lottery, which is set for Sunday, May 10th.

Sacramento hasn’t secured the top pick in the NBA Draft since 1989, when it selected center Pervis Ellison with the first overall selection.

Be sure to stay locked in to Sactown Sports 1140 all offseason for NBA Draft Lottery coverage, NBA Draft previews and analysis, NBA Summer League content, and MUCH more!

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

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• NBA Draft Lottery Standings: Pencils Down
• Report: Doug Christie will return as Kings head coach next season
• Christensen: Tanking isn’t in Doug Christie’s DNA
• NBA salary cap expert advises against stretching Zach LaVine’s contract

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Tuesday, April 14th – NBA Play-In Tournament begins
• Saturday, April 18th – NBA Playoffs begin
• Sunday, May 10th – NBA Draft Lottery
• Thursday, June 4th– NBA Finals begin
• Thursday, June 25th – NBA Draft (Round 1)
• Friday, June 26th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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