The Sacramento Kings will be getting more reinforcements after the February 5th NBA trade deadline. While more moves could add to that, the team also announced on Tuesday that forward Keegan Murray is nearing a return to action.
Murray missing the first 15 games of the season after suffering a torn UCL in his left thumb during a preseason game before returning for 19 of the next 21 games. In his appearances, the fourth-year forward has averaged 14.6 points and 6.1 rebounds.
He also was converting a career-low rate of 42.9 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from three on 4.8 three-point attempts per game. It’s down season for the Sacramento organization overall, so take into account the rough context that the forward has been playing through as he’s far from the only one struggling this season.
Now, he’s been approved from on-court activities and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray is progressing in his rehabilitation of a moderate left ankle sprain. Murray has been approved for on-court contact activities. He will be reevaluated in two weeks.
– Sacramento Kings Media Communications, February 3, 2026
Two weeks from Tuesday’s announcement keeps Murray sidelined for a minimum of five more games. Keep in mind that is the reevaluation does not guarantee a return to play at that time.
The Kings (12-39), owners of the worst record in the NBA, are 4-15 in games where Murray has been available while 8-24 without him. Of course, the proposition of him playing alongside new trade addition De’Andre Hunter adds to the intrigue in the post-deadline portion of their season.
Kings head coach Doug Christie was asked about the idea of that pairing after Tuesday’s practice, Hunter’s first with Sacramento.
“I think the both of their size and athleticism allow you to guard across the board so they can switch if there’s a matchup that you like more, but yeah, definitely [Hunter’s] size and his ability to guard can keep kicking at the three,” Christie said.
“I’m just excited to see them. I mean, when you when you think about it like you got two long wings, both of them can shoot the basketball. Both of them can guard, pretty much one through five, rebounding, cutting mid range, and they both play the right way for the right reasons. They are team players. They’re going to move the basketball, move their body, when we talk about next actions, when we talk about crashing, they’re going to all the little things that equate to winning. Both of them do. So really excited to see them out there together.”
It’ll be intriguing to see what roster Sacramento general manager Scott Perry puts together by the trade deadline.
No matter what it looks like, Murray nearing his return to action is encouraging for the Kings outlook and chance to evaluate their new-look roster post-deadline.
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Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, February 4th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, February 6th – vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, February 7th – vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 PM PT
Monday, February 9th – @ New Orleans Pelicans – 5:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 11th – @ Utah Jazz – 6:00 PM PT
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