Coming into the season, Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray claimed that he was aiming for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in his fourth season since being drafted fourth overall in the 2022 Draft.
In the three games he’s played since returning from injury, his increased comfort and aggression have been apparent.
Murray’s defensive positional versatility grew tremendously last season, but he statistically regressed from his sophomore campaign. He went from 12.2 points on 9.8 field-goal attempts per game in his rookie season to 15.2 points on 12.7 shots in year two.
Year three ended with the 6’8 forward at 12.4 points on 10.8 attempts and a career-low in FG% (44.4%) and three-point percentage (34.3%). Murray, who had a strong relationship with Mike Brown and (especially) De’Aaron Fox, was essential to Sacramento heading into 2025-26.
Severely lacking wing/forward depth, the 25-year-old was locked into their starting power forward position before tearing the UCL in his left thumb in the preseason. It left Kings head coach Doug Christie’s roster shockingly thin already. Combine that with a gruelling early schedule, and Murray watched his squad get off to a 3-12 start.
Walking back into a desperate situation, I was curiously monitoring Murray’s level of aggression. While self-creation flashes had existed, although rare, with him in the past, it seemed like his lack of commanding the moment was preventing an authentic look into what was there.
In his three games since returning, Murray is averaging 18.7 points on 15.3 field-goal attempts per game. He tallied 26 points on 10/19 shooting in Monday’s win over Minnesota, while also filling in for the absence of Domantas Sabonis and pulling down a career-high 14 rebounds.
Keegan Murray 26 PTS, 14 REBS, 2 ASTS, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 3/5 3PT on 10/19 FG https://t.co/W0IaTRRg9G pic.twitter.com/9xPAPp3qqs
— NBA Performances (@NBARewinds) November 25, 2025
Oh yeah, he was guarding Anthony Edwards for most of the night too. Murray is a special player who impacts the game in a wide variety of ways, but continuing to build on his offensive confidence and aggression will be key in him living up to the five-year, $140-million extension Sacramento general manager Scott Perry inked with him this offseason.
“I think I just had a really good offseason,” Murray said after Monday’s overtime win.
“I got away from Sacramento a little bit. I feel like I just kind of unlocked a different mindset going into this year. And obviously, I couldn’t really start the season. I missed a month to start, and for me, it’s just kind of finding my rhythm back. And each game, I’m getting more comfortable on the court. So aggression is not really an issue for me this year.”
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Coach Christie said in the preseason that he wants Murray to aim for 10 three-point attempts per night. Veterans like DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook are well-known to be phenomenal teammates and role models to young players who pick their brains and display comparable work ethics.
The 19 shots Murray attempted against the Timberwolves ties the fourth-highest mark of his career and eclipses the season-high of 17 he had last season. He led a team with DeRozan, Westbrook, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk in shot attempts. Now that’s confidence.
“Keegan is a key to this team,” DeRozan said Monday night. “It’s his team. He’s one of those guys who’s going to be very, very special in this league, and he’s showing it with his dynamic play on both ends. He changes the game. When his confidence is high, the things he’s able to do make it a lot, lot easier on us.”
Having the 25th All-Time Leading Scorer in NBA history hype you up has got to help build confidence, too.
DeRozan didn’t say it, but he probably also appreciates no longer having to guard opposing power forwards as Murray and fairly new signing Precious Achiuwa share those tasks. Having Murray’s perimeter shooting threat does wonders for his teammates as well.
But with nearly the entire Sacramento roster facing an uncertain future, Keegan Murray is thefuture piece. Maintaining his aggression on a team with a slew of other creators is essential to the Kings, not only to salvage this season but also to develop an optimistic future outlook.
More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
The Sacramento Kings haven’t gotten off to an ideal start this season, but the return of Keegan Murray has ignited the Beam Team over the past week.
KCRA 3’s Sean Cunningham joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to share his thoughts on Sacramento’s improved play, explain why a rebuild may be easier said than done for general manager Scott Perry, and much more.
Plus, could a team be interested in trading for Zach LaVine and extending him in order for Sacramento to get out from his $49 million player option next season?
Read More:
Sean Cunningham on why a Kings rebuild will be ‘tricky’
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, November 26th – vs. Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, November 28th – @ Utah Jazz – 6:30 PM PT
Sunday, November 30th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 6:00 PM PT
Wednesday, December 3rd – @ Miami Heat – 5:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 6th – @ Miami Heat – 5:00 PM PT
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