The Kings‘ season has been defined by injuries and losses, and both continued Sunday night against Milwaukee, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee writes in a subscriber-only story. Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis were both forced out of the contest as Sacramento ran its losing streak to five games while dropping 15 of its last 18.
Murray, who recently returned from a calf strain, hurt his left ankle in the third quarter. His season debut was delayed until November 20 while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, and he has only been available for 19 of the team’s 36 games. The 25-year-old forward is considered one of the Kings’ few untouchable players heading into the trade deadline after receiving a five-year, $140MM rookie-scale extension in October.
Coach Doug Christie wasn’t able to provide much information on the injury after the game. “I don’t know yet, so it’s not even for me to speculate,” he told reporters. “Obviously, we’ll get everything and you guys will know as soon as we do.”
Sacramento also lost Ellis, who suffered a left thumb injury and only played five minutes. The 26-year-old guard has been the subject of trade speculation, with the team reportedly seeking a protected first-round pick in return.
“It’s hard, man,” Christie said of the constant injuries. “You feel for your kids, first and foremost. It’s just difficult.”
There’s more from Sacramento:
- There was some positive injury news on Sunday as Zach LaVine returned to the court after missing nine games with a sprained left ankle, Anderson adds. He came off the bench for the first time since being traded to the Kings last season and finished with 20 points, three rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes. LaVine said he didn’t have a target date to return, but was waiting for “whatever day my ankle felt best.” (Twitter video link from James Ham of The Kings Beat)
- Maxime Raynaud was in the starting lineup after getting a clean bill of health following an injury scare. The rookie center had to be helped off the court after hurting his left leg on Friday, but an MRI revealed no structural damage. “I just got really scared that one moment, felt like your knee twist a little bit like that,” Raynaud said. “Just glad the MRI came out clean.” (Twitter video link from Sean Cunningham of KCRA News)
- Russell Westbrook had a 21-point night and reached another milestone by passing Oscar Robertson to move into 15th place on the career scoring list. He’s now the leading scorer among all point guards in NBA history.
Kings can rebuild and retool their team. While Westbrook keeps climbing the all-time list. They should sign him (2/3 yrs) just out of respect. Not to mention he is earning it on the floor. 29 mins,
15 pts, 7 ast, 7 reb. This gives them legitimacy.
Still putting up stats …..
link to yardbarker.com
I don’t know about 2 or 3 years, maybe 1 more while the young guys learn. Others ship out when it’s best for the Kings. If not now, next summer do some moves to clean house.
If the Kings start this TD. They can have a new team in two yrs. With a bright future. Two yrs Westbrook will be breaking more records. I’d let him retire a King.
Russ has to go if you want the young guys to develop meaningful skills. Russ is still as an oppressive force as ever. This team is full of black holes. The ball movement needs to be more free for these young aguys to find themselves.
Russ has been better than anticipated though. I would love if some other team wants him at the TD. Even for a 2nd. Thats how this rebuild can be successful. Get a guy for nothing and flip him into something. A concept this team has had backwards for far too long.
What young guys?? Besides Murray there is only possibilities. You do understand what blowing it up means. Sabonis, Monk, Schroder, DeM, Zach if not this yr next yr. All moved within next two yrs. I would move them all by draft. Except maybe Zach. Nobody else on this team is getting real mins. So now Westbrook is the guy who helps you rebuild. While climbing the HOF ladder. Only good press you have while rebuilding.
Blowing it up to me. Means young talent and draft picks. So Westbrook has nothing to do with that.
Well Al you can’t come on here and praise Raynaud everyday and then say “what young guys?”.
Murray-Ellis-Nique-Raynaud-whoever the draft this year-
That is who they need to focus on. Absolutely need to have at least one of them show growth at a consistent rate. That is impossible as long as Westbrook is there trying to break any record his longevity has afforded him.
Really hard to sell guys that nobody wants. Unless you’re trading with Sacramento.
Really —- again what does Westbrook have to do with that. As a PG with experience he can only help Maxime.
I haven’t praised Raynaud. I said he has talent and a future. And as a 2nd rd pic is a great find. Thats a long way from NBA player. Yet he is looking good so far. The only real point I have made about Raynaud. Is fact the DA Warriors passed on him. When now they are searching for a big.
Again—— do you understand blowing it up You have to see the light. This is sports lol. If its not working you change it. It’s not about winning. Its about change for the better. You start there. I don’t know your guys well. Raynaud only cause I searched him to know him. He’s still a young talent. None lof your young guys besides him plays more than 18 mins. And we know why. Raynaud at least has shown plenty of promise. Has Clifford 18.7 muns, Carter 9 mins, Ellis already 26 yrs old. You tell me.
Schroder is easy to move. Only Zach, Monk would be difficult they won’t be next yr. Too bad you feel that way. I can assure you teams don’t feel that way Sabonis and DeM are HOF players. Who can upgrade the right teams.
TWolves or Rockets take Schroder no problem.
Pistons have talked about Markkannen and MPJ. Sabonis is much better for them. I rather have Sabonis and Mitch than Towns. But that’s me lol.
I’m not running the Kings. I stand by what I say. Waiting only makes it worse …..
Maxime Raynaud —— good to hear you are
OK mon frère ……
He is the best center prospect in the draft so far. Excellent find in the 2nd rd. Once again a 4yr college player gets overlooked in the draft. Kings ransom
23 mins, 10.4 pts, 6.4 reb, 56% FG, 71% FT
My Question is, When does it ever Stop ?? What another 10yrs, maybe 20, How Long ?? This Team has been in a Continual Rebuild since it came to Sac from KC. The Coaching Situation is a Continual Revolving Door. We have had 3 -4 good Coaches but don’t give them the Players or Time to turn the Team Around, Adelman, at least Adelman came close, but then they didn’t want to give him anymore money, so he walked, Brown, Malone, Karl to name 4, but then the Players Stop playing for them so it automatically must be the Coaches Fault. Right Now in this Case is an Owner who can’t keep his fingers out of everyday Operations and let the GM / Coach do their jobs. No Matter who you bring in here, he will Fail, til Vivek is forced into Selling the Team. Until Then Nothing will Change. No Players want to come to Sac, because of the Situation, so no matter who you bring in here, they are going to leave as soon as their Contract is up. We have has several Defensive minded players come through here, but for Whatever reason why, the moment they step foot in our Arena REFUSE to play Defense. But lets be Honest for a second, most Teams now days don’t play any defense either, from the looks of the scores of other teams, 135+ points a game, means ZERO Defense there. The Bad News ?? if Vivek does sell this Team, we all know it’s as good as gone, and this City will Never see another NBA Team here again.
Agree with everything you said aside from the team moving if it’s sold. If one thing has been made clear since the pandemic, it’s that you really want to own a sports team in California.
About the only other business you could run thats more profitable would be a day care in Minneapolis.
Vivek has had 5 GMs the first retired, the next 3 were first time GMs. Perry has been before, hope Vivek learn he doesn’t know a thing about basketball and let Perry take the time needed to change the team. If Vivek fires Doug or fires Perry no one will want these jobs, I think nobody would of applied this time who did want $10m a year just because fear of being fired. Yes if Vivek sells the team it is out of Sac. So stop the sell the team crap, this is Sac’s team.
40+ yrs of No Championships, the longest in NBA History and counting and you what ?? Think we should be content or happy about it ?? F*** that !! I seriously hope he sells the team and moves it out of Sac !! We deserve better than just promoting a perineal loser !! I’d rather have No team than this Circus we have now !! I’d rather have a Baseball Team here than this Joke this team is !! We are the Laughing stock of the entire NBA !! I watched them Drive up and Play in the old ARCO Arena !! I earned my say !!