Keegan Murray sticks to ‘formula’ with career-high 23 in win over Clippers

Keegan sticks to ‘formula’ with career-high vs. Clippers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

Keegan Murray has endured the highs and lows of an NBA rookie during the 2022-23 season.

However, in the Kings’ 123-96 win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Area, the 22-year-old flashed the potential many expect to see from him.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft scored a career-high 23 points. Still, Murray acknowledged that he has to navigate the roller coaster ride that comes with being a rookie and continue to play his game.

“I mean, you have ups and downs in basketball, so to stay the course and keep doing what I do best, I know I’m a really good player,” Murray said on “Kings Postgame Live” after the game. “I would say I had a struggle, but my teammates have my back, and they have full confidence in me, so I’m grateful for them.”

Murray hasn’t let his struggles affect his routine as he continues to do the same thing even when the shots aren’t falling. Many in his situation would look to do something different to break out of the slump.

“I just keep working again in the gym early, get shots up,” Murray said. “Stay late, get shots up and that’s just kind of been my formula. So I know I’m a great shooter, a great player. So just sticking to that routine, and I’ll find success.”

Murray’s performance appears to be trending upward as the former University of Iowa product has scored double-digit points in his last three games. As a result, NBC Sports California Kings analyst Kenny Thomas broke down what was different from the rookie that led to his career high in points.

“I think he was more patient [against the Clippers],” Thomas said. “It just seems like his body language and the energy he was pressing a little bit because he did get off to that great start to where he was being very productive.”

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Murray hopes to continue riding this momentum into the Kings’ next game, which will be against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday at Golden 1 Center.