Kings' Murray out for start of season with UCL tear

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray sustained a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb during a preseason loss in Portland on Friday night, as announced by the team. He will undergo surgery and be reevaluated in four to six weeks, which will cause him to miss at least the first 10 games of the regular season.

The injury occurs at a critical juncture in Murray's career, as he is entering his fourth season and eligible for a contract extension with a deadline of October 20. If an agreement is not reached, he will enter restricted free agency next summer, adding urgency to his situation.

Murray has been known for his durability early in his NBA career, appearing in 233 out of 246 possible games over his first three seasons and starting nearly all of them. This UCL tear marks the most significant injury he has faced as a professional.

As the projected starting power forward for the Kings, Murray's absence will impact the team's efforts to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. He has made 543 career three-pointers and developed into a versatile defender, making him a crucial floor spacer and trusted stopper whose loss will be felt in the opening month of the season.

Potential candidates to start in Murray's place include veteran forward Dario Saric, veteran guard Malik Monk, fourth-year guard Keon Ellis, and rookie Nique Clifford. The other expected starters for the Kings are Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis.