With the regular-season opener just one week away, the Sacramento Kings are searching for answers when it comes to their starting lineup.
After losing versatile forward Keegan Murray for the first four to six weeks of the season due to recovering from wrist surgery, Sacramento will begin the 2025-26 campaign without its best defender and one of its best perimeter threats on the roster.
While Kings head coach Doug Christie has said that closing games matters more to him than his starting five, it will be interesting to see who the first-year coach rolls out alongside Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis on Wednesday night in a preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Here’s everything that you need to know for tonight’s Kings vs. Clippers action at Golden 1 Center.
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Preseason: Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers Info
When: 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California, NBA League Pass (for out-of-market viewers)
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 2:00 PM PDT on The Drive Guys
Tickets: Click here
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Clippers coverage, beginning at 2:00 PM PST on The Drive Guys before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Who Will Start?
During practice this week, Doug Christie told reporters that he may handle his fifth starting spot on a per-game, matchup-based basis.
Rookie big man Maxime Raynaud has been seen sporting the black practice jersey that is often worn by Kings starters during practice, and DeMar DeRozan confirmed that the Stanford product has been getting reps in alongside Domantas Sabonis.
Of course, Christie, who keeps things close to the vest when it comes to his rotations, could go in another direction for Wednesday’s preseason matchup with the Clippers.
Fellow rookie Nique Clifford, who has played the most minutes of any player on Sacramento’s roster thus far in preseason, is another player to watch for when it comes to Murray’s vacant starting spot. Keon Ellis’ defensive upside and ability to defend positions one through three are another possibility.
Christie’s coaching philosophy aligns with many before him: finishing the game matters more than who starts it. While one of the rookies could crack the starting lineup during the final two tune-up games, it doesn’t mean they will be on the floor come crunch time during the regular season.
More Run For The Rookies
Regardless of whether they start or come off the bench, plenty of eyes will be on Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud on Wednesday.
Clifford, who has logged more minutes than any other King in preseason, has scored 12.5 points, handed out 5.5 assists, and swiped 1.5 steals per game over his first two unofficial NBA performances.
The 24th overall pick from June’s NBA Draft has displayed an impressive ability to distribute the basketball, logging nine assists in his preseason debut last week. Clifford has many fans within the organization and appears to be in line for a prominent reserve role to start the season–that is, if he isn’t inserted in the starting lineup in Murray’s place.
Raynaud, the 42nd pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has struggled on the offensive end over two preseason appearances (37% FG), but has pulled down 5.5 boards over just 12 minutes per game.
We’ll see if the seven-footer is in line for a longer look with Murray out, especially when it comes to the prospect of Raynaud’s rim-protecting potential.
Injury Report
Kings vs. Clippers injury report for Wednesday:
DeMar DeRozan (Right Groin Soreness) – PROBABLE
Malik Monk (Illness) – QUESTIONABLE
Keegan Murray (Left Thumb UCL Recovery) – OUT
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 15, 2025
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
The Sacramento Kings and Keegan Murray have until October 10th to agree on a rookie-scale contract extension if they want to avoid the complications of restricted free agency in the coming offseason.
Suffering a torn ligament in his left thumb in their second preseason showing doesn’t make for ideal timing for head coach Doug Christie’s rotations, but could it affect their negotiations?
Keith Smith, contributor to Spotrac and The Front Office Show, joined The Allen Stiles Show on Tuesday to give his perspective on Murray, the status of Keon Ellis, and plenty more.
Keegan Murray’s injury should have “little to no impact” on extension
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Preseason
Wednesday, October 15th vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7 PM PT
Friday, October 17th @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7 PM PT
Regular Season
Wednesday, October 22nd – @ Phoenix Suns – 7 PM PT
Friday, October 24th – vs. Utah Jazz – 7 PM PT
Sunday, October 26th – vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 6 PM PT
Tuesday, October 28th – @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5 PM PT
Wednesday, October 29th – @ Chicago Bulls – 5 PM PT
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