Kings provide updates on Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter for season opener vs. Trail Blazers

Kings guard Kevin Huerter could be available for Wednesday’s season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, but rookie forward Keegan Murray will have to make his NBA debut another day.

Kings coach Mike Brown provided updates on Huerter and Murray following practice Tuesday. Brown said Huerter was a full participant in practice, but Murray was still away from the team due to NBA health and safety protocols.

“Kevin went through a whole practice today,” Brown said. “He went through the noncontact and the contact portion, so he should be fine. Keegan is still in protocol, but he’s getting better.”

Murray was officially ruled out when the Kings submitted their injury report Tuesday evening. Huerter was listed as questionable.

The Kings acquired Huerter over the summer in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Brown has already named Huerter as his starting shooting guard.

Huerter impressed in three preseason games, averaging 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 18.7 minutes per game while shooting 50% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range. Huerter was held out due to ankle soreness when the Kings concluded preseason play with a 133-86 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.

Murray, the No. 4 pick in June’s NBA draft, came off the bench to lead the team in scoring in two preseason appearances, averaging 16.0 points while shooting a sizzling 70.6% from the field and 70% from 3-point range. He missed the last two preseason games, first due to what was believed to be a non-COVID-19 illness and then due to the league’s health and safety protocols.

KZ Okpala started three of Sacramento’s four preseason games. Trey Lyles started the other game. Brown hasn’t announced who will start at power forward in the season opener, but he has lauded Okpala’s potential as a high-level defensive stopper.

Brown previously said Murray will need to return to practice before he is cleared to play, so it is highly unlikely Murray will suit up against the Blazers, even if he clears protocols.

“A guy that’s out that long, I would not have him play without practice, but there’s zero pressure at all,” Brown said Monday. “We want him to come back the right way. We play 82 games, and if he misses one, if he misses two, whatever it is, we’ll be fine, so there’s no pressure there. We just want him to go through protocol the right way and make sure he’s concentrating on relaxing and getting his rest and getting his mind right before coming back.”

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