Non-COVID Illness Bug Has Bitten The Sacramento Kings

Oct 11, 2022, 1:37 PM | Updated: 4:00 pm

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: Keegan Murray #13 and Keon Ellis #34 of the Sacramento Kings react aft...

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As we move into the final days of the preseason, the Sacramento Kings are dealing with a non-COVID illness bug that has bitten the team over the past week.

Richaun Holmes, who had missed the past two days of practice and sat out of Sunday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, returned to practice on Tuesday, but the 28-year-old was unable to finish the session due to feelings of sickness.

According to a source, Holmes is feeling better, but the team is going to be cautious in bringing the talented center back to game speed.

KZ Okpala is in the starting group once again here at Kings practice. pic.twitter.com/WVbcdALKgQ

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 11, 2022

Another player that was not seen during Tuesday’s practice was fourth-overall pick Keegan Murray, who is also dealing with a non-COVID illness.

Head coach Mike Brown told the media that Murray was at home resting, and added the team will see how the 22-year-old is feeling before determining if he will travel to Phoenix for Wednesday’s matchup against the Suns.

Murray has arguably been the most exciting part of Sacramento’s 2-0 start to preseason play, but the Kings will likely play it safe with their prized rookie as they set their sights for October 19th’s season-opener at Golden 1 Center.

With Murray and Holmes both possibly sidelined on Wedding, Brown could get a chance to give some fringe rotation players an extended look as roster cuts loom in the coming days. All 30 NBA teams must trim their rosters down to 15 players on October 17th.

As of October 11th, the Kings have 20 players on its training camp roster. Since Neemias Queta and Keon Ellis are on two-way contracts, Brown and his staff will need to cut three players over the next week.

During Sunday’s blowout win over Portland, Quinn Cook, Chima Moneke and Sam Merrill were the only players that did not see the floor. Brown told the media on Tuesday that fans can expect a “similar rotation” to his 13-to-15-man player pool that he displayed during the last preseason game.

Brown did mention that Cook, Moneke, and Merrill will be in line to see the floor on Wednesday, so there will likely be three other players that sit out against Phoenix.