Keegan Murray’s triple helps lift Team Pau to Rising Stars championship

NBA All-Star Weekend is in full swing in Salt Lake City, and Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray is a Rising Stars champion.

The fourth-overall pick from last summer’s draft came up huge in Team Pau’s opening game, as Murray drilled a game-winning triple that sent his loaded team of young stars to the championship game–one that they would win as All-Star festivities tipped off on Friday night at Vivint Center.

Over two games–the first with a target score of 40 points and the final with a target score of 25 points–of action, the rookie forward scored three points on one-of-three shooting from beyond the arc while pulling down five rebounds and dishing out a flashy assist over 10 minutes.

game. set. match.  
 
Keegan Murray | #JordanRisingStars pic.twitter.com/R1wo5a2rZC

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 18, 2023

In a two-game set that mostly entailed one-on-one basketball, Murray’s ability to spot up on the perimeter was often passed over as players like Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin, and MVP Jose Alvarado opted to take the ball to the basket for themselves during a majority of Team Pau’s possessions.

During postgame media availability, Murray said he wasn’t bothered by his lack of attempts–he just wanted to win.

“I mean, we had guys going,” Murray said when asked if he felt that he could have taken more shots on Friday night. “We were running plays, too. We were running plays to get guys shots, things like that, so I was just like ‘if we win, we win’, so I’m happy.”

While Murray only hit one three-point field goal, it was a big one as it sent Team Pau to the championship. For a young player like Murray, one looking to become an integral piece of the Sacramento Kings franchise for years to come, it’s all about gaining experience. According to Murray, he’s happy with how his first All-Star experience unfolded.

“It was fun. I did what I needed to do, hit a game-winner, didn’t get hurt, so I think it was a success,” Murray said. “Had fun with the guys and ended up winning, so I feel like that’s a good weekend for me.”

Kings In The House

It was a family affair for the Sacramento Kings on Friday as Domantas Sabonis and Kevin Huerter sat court-side for the Rising Stars action.

“It was sweet. I didn’t think any of them were going to show up,” Murray said of the support from his teammates. “Seeing them walk in, I saw them right away, and Domas waved to me with two hands. I’m excited to watch them on Saturday and Sunday, and also [De’Aaron] Fox.”

Sabonis is in town for Sunday’s All-Star Game, where he will play alongside first-time All-Star De’Aaron Fox, while Huerter will aim for the 3-Point Contest crown on Saturday night.

Murray was seen dapping up his teammates on the floor during the game, and the rookie even showed some emotion following his game-sealing triple–something that can be attributed to the presence of his teammates.

“I pointed at Domas and Kevin, I think I put a three sign up, I don’t know,” Murray said with a laugh when asked about his show of emotion following his big shot. “I did more than I’ve done this year.”

3 Kings: Sabonis, Murray and Huerter. pic.twitter.com/2ywmupku56

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) February 18, 2023

In classic rookie fashion, Sabonis gave the rookie Murray a hard time on Friday night, but the first-year King returned the favor with some fun of his own following the game.

“Domas was heckling me, so I tried to avoid that corner as much as possible,” Murray said of his interactions with the three-time All-Star in Sabonis. “Domas was yelling at me, so I expect a triple-double [during Sunday’s All-Star Game]. I expect him to shoot threes because he was telling me to shoot threes and stuff like that. I’ll be tuned in.”

Kings GM Monte McNair, assistant GM Wes Wilcox, and owner Vivek Ranadive were also in attendance during Friday’s game.

Lastly, I just wanted to end this Rising Stars recap with a rare sight:

Keegan Murray smiling. Behold!

Breaking: Keegan Murray smiled. pic.twitter.com/HhdxzPy24l

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) February 18, 2023

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule

Friday, February 18th — NBA All-Star Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sunday, February 19th — NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thursday, February 23rd – Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PST

Friday, February 24th – Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 PM PST

Sunday, February 26th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 4:00 PM PST

Tuesday, February 28th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:00 PM PST

Friday, March 3rd – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PST

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Frankie Cartoscelli is the Kings’ beat reporter for SactownSports.com. Follow Frankie on Twitter.”

Follow @FCartoscelli3

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