If you just look at the raw box score, you might think Keegan Murray has stalled out. Honestly, it’s a trap a lot of casual fans fall into. They see a scoring average that hasn’t jumped into the mid-20s and assume the "breakout" never happened. But if you’re actually watching the Sacramento Kings right now, you know the k murray stats nba story is way more complicated than a simple PPG increase.
He’s transforming.
It’s January 2026, and the context for Keegan’s numbers has shifted entirely since he broke the rookie three-point record a few years back. Back then, he was a specialist. He stayed in his corner, waited for De'Aaron Fox to collapse the paint, and knocked down triples at a historic clip. Now? The Kings are asking him to be a defensive stopper, a secondary creator, and a glass-cleaner—all while sharing the floor with high-usage guys like DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis.
The Reality of the 2025-26 Season
Currently, Keegan is putting up roughly 14.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. On the surface, those look like "role player" numbers. But you have to look at the efficiency and the load. He’s shooting about 36.6% from deep on a steady diet of difficult attempts.
His season took a hit recently, though. On January 5th, the news broke that he’s out for at least 3-4 weeks with a moderate left ankle sprain. It’s a massive blow for a Kings team that relies on his "connector" ability. Before the injury, he was showing flashes of a much more aggressive off-the-dribble game. In a New Year's matchup against Phoenix, he dropped 23 points and 9 boards, looking every bit like the All-Star wing the front office thinks he can be.
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The efficiency is the thing. His effective Field Goal percentage ($eFG%$) sits around 54.9%. That’s the mark of a guy who doesn't waste possessions. He isn't hunting shots; he's taking the right shots.
Why the Kris Murray Comparison Matters
You can't talk about Keegan without mentioning his twin, Kris. While Keegan is a cornerstone in Sacramento, Kris has been carving out a gritty role in Portland.
The k murray stats nba searches often lead people to compare the two, and the gap is narrowing in specific areas. Kris is averaging about 6.1 points and 4.0 rebounds for the Blazers this season. Interestingly, Kris has been the more versatile defender in spurts, though he’s currently sidelined with a lumbar strain.
Keegan is the superior shooter—period. But Kris has a higher steal rate per 48 minutes. It’s a fun dynamic. One brother is a polished offensive weapon on a playoff contender, while the other is a defensive Swiss Army knife for a rebuilding Portland squad.
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The Defensive Evolution Nobody Talks About
People used to call Keegan a "cone" on defense. That's just not true anymore.
During the 2024-25 season, the coaching staff started putting him on the opponent's best player. We’re talking about him chasing Steph Curry around screens or trying to stick with lengthier wings like Brandon Ingram.
- Versatility: He’s now switchable across four positions.
- Rim Protection: His block rate has tickled 1.0 per game, which is huge for a 6'8" wing.
- Defensive Rating: He consistently ranks in the top three for the Kings in individual defensive impact.
He’s doing the dirty work that Sabonis and Fox sometimes can’t. If you look at his advanced tracking data, opponents are shooting nearly 4% worse than their season average when Keegan is the primary defender. That doesn’t show up in a standard "k murray stats nba" Google search, but it’s why he plays 34 minutes a night.
The Contract Situation
There’s a bit of a cloud hanging over the stats right now. Keegan is eligible for his rookie extension.
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Usually, a guy with his pedigree gets the "max" or close to it. But because his scoring hasn't exploded to 22+ PPG, the negotiations are... let's say, interesting. The Kings want to pay for the "connector," but Keegan’s camp likely wants to be paid for the "future star." If they don't reach a deal, he hits restricted free agency in the summer.
How to Project the Rest of 2026
Once that ankle heals, the focus has to be on the "aggressive" Keegan. We’ve seen him have games where he takes 4 shots. That can’t happen if the Kings want to escape the Play-In tournament.
His usage rate is currently around 18.5%. For a guy with his shooting touch, that’s too low. When his usage ticks above 22%, the Kings’ offensive rating jumps by nearly 5 points. Basically, when Keegan is involved, the team is elite. When he’s just a floor spacer, they’re predictable.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Murray
- Watch the FGA: If Keegan is taking 15+ shots, the Kings usually win. Check the box score for volume, not just percentage.
- Monitor the Ankle: His return timeline is late January/early February. Watch his lateral quickness in those first three games back; that’s where the defensive value lives.
- Compare the Splits: Look at his stats when DeMar DeRozan sits. That is the "real" Keegan Murray—the primary option.
The reality is that Keegan Murray is exactly what a modern NBA team needs. He’s a low-maintenance, high-efficiency wing who can guard the other team's best player. Whether the box score says 14 points or 24 points, his impact on winning is undeniable. Keep an eye on the shooting splits as he returns from injury; if he can get that three-point percentage back toward the 40% mark, the Kings become a terrifying out in the West.
Keep tabs on the official injury reports over the next two weeks to see if he's hitting his rehab milestones ahead of the All-Star break.