Kings Forward Keegan Murray to Miss Start of Season After Thumb Surgery

The Sacramento Kings have suffered an early setback ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season, with forward Keegan Murray ruled out for the start of the campaign after sustaining a thumb injury. The team confirmed that Murray tore the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb during Friday’s narrow 124-123 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on October 10.

Following medical evaluation, the Kings announced that the 24-year-old will undergo surgery and be reevaluated in four to six weeks, sidelining him for at least the first 10 games of the regular season. His absence will be a significant blow for Sacramento, which had been counting on Murray’s growing influence at both ends of the floor as it looks to build on last season’s playoff push.

Murray, who is entering his fourth NBA season, has been one of the cornerstones of the Kings’ young core since being drafted fourth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. A polished scorer and versatile defender, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2023 after averaging double figures in points and establishing himself as a reliable perimeter shooter.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate, as Murray could have been eligible for a contract extension ahead of the October 20 deadline. According to reports from ESPN’s Anthony Slater, if an agreement is not reached before that date, the Iowa product will become a restricted free agent next summer, allowing the Kings to match any offer from other teams.

Sacramento’s preseason schedule continues this week, with the Kings set to host the L.A. Clippers on Wednesday, October 15, at 7 p.m. local time. They will then travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday, wrapping up their exhibition games before the regular season begins.

The Kings will open their 2025–26 campaign on the road against the Phoenix Suns on October 22, a matchup that will test the team’s depth without Murray in the lineup. Head coach Mike Brown will likely turn to a combination of Harrison Barnes, Sasha Vezenkov, and rookie forward prospects to help fill the void until Murray returns.

While the Kings remain optimistic about Murray’s recovery timeline, his injury highlights the challenges of maintaining momentum in a competitive Western Conference. Sacramento’s playoff aspirations will depend on how well the team adapts in his absence — and how quickly their young star can make his way back onto the court.