Patryk Stachowiak
The Sacramento Kings will begin the 2025–26 NBA season without one of their key starters, as Keegan Murray has been ruled out following a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb sustained during Friday’s preseason defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
The team confirmed on Saturday that the 25-year-old forward will undergo surgery and is expected to be re-evaluated in approximately four to six weeks. The timing means Murray could miss the opening month of the regular season as Sacramento looks to establish rhythm under new head coach Doug Christie.
A Crucial Blow to the Kings’ Rotation
Murray’s absence delivers an early challenge for a team that’s been rebuilding around young, versatile talent. Last season, he averaged 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 34.3 minutes per game while shooting 44.4% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range. His two-way versatility made him a vital piece in Sacramento’s forward rotation stretching defenses on offense and holding his own defensively against larger matchups.
In Christie’s system, Murray was expected to take another developmental leap, building on three consistent seasons in which he had never missed more than eight games. His reliability and off-ball efficiency will be difficult to replace, especially in the early stretch where the Kings face several playoff-caliber opponents.
Keegan Murray. Source: fieldlevelmedia.com
Next Man Up: Adjusting the Frontcourt
With Murray sidelined, Sacramento may lean more heavily on Trey Lyles and Sasha Vezenkov to fill the gap at forward. Both players bring shooting ability, but neither replicates Murray’s combination of defensive agility and positional versatility. Expect the Kings to rotate lineups more frequently in October as Christie looks to balance floor spacing and defensive coverage.
Outlook and Betting Implications
While the timeline suggests a return by mid-November, recovery from thumb ligament surgery can affect shooting form and grip strength — potentially impacting Murray’s rhythm even after he’s cleared. For bettors, early-season lines involving Sacramento may shift, especially in matchups against teams with dominant frontcourts. The Kings’ depth will be tested early, and their performance without Murray could influence Western Conference win total markets and player prop bets.
Still, if Sacramento can weather this early setback, Murray’s return could provide a timely boost for a mid-season surge — especially as the Kings continue adapting to Christie’s system.
Stay with TipsGG for more injury updates, team analysis, and betting insights as the 2025–26 NBA season tips off.