Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Kings F Keegan Murray Provides Injury Update After a Return to Practice

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Kings
By Parker Thomas | Last updated 11/28/23

Keegan Murray is a future franchise player for the Sacramento Kings, but we haven't seen the star sophomore the past few games after he suffered a lower back injury. Murray picked up the injury in a road game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 19 but did not sit out until the second half of the Kings' first stint against the New Orleans Pelicans the next day. Murray has now sat out for 2.5 games and will miss the Kings' In-Season Tournament finale against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, November 28, but provided a promising message on his return.

Keegan Murray talks about the progress he’s made from the soreness in his lower back keeping him out of the last two games, how his return depends upon pain tolerance and his view of the Kings playing without him. pic.twitter.com/rlaW3e35mY
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) November 28, 2023

In a post-practice interview, Keegan had the following to say when asked about his return to practice and reasons for missing more game time (via Sean Cunningham of FOX40):

"Whenever I'm 100%, I know that thats when I want to play, when I can help my team.. It's mostly pain tolerance, just trying to get back to my regular self knowing that I can help the team when I'm my regular self... Getting out there seeing what I can do seeing what my body can handle... Conditioning wise I feel like I'm fine... it's just a pain tolerance thing at this point."

Murray returned to practice on Monday after a week of recovery. The Kings are 1-2 in Murray's absence, and missing the game against the Warriors is a crucial loss for the Kings, especially with F Draymond Green returning from suspension for the Warriors. F Harrison Barnes will likely play a larger role as he faces off against his former team and the recent return of F Trey Lyles will provide a huge boost for the Kings off the bench.

The Kings will automatically advance to the In-Season Tournament semifinals with a win against the Warriors and could be eliminated with a loss. A unique situation arises in a Kings loss if the Minnesota Timberwolves defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder, where there will be a three-way tie for first place in the group, and the winner will be decided by point differential.

The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Kings and was syndicated with permission.

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