Fox notched 35 points (12-29 FG, 4-16 3Pt, 7-11 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and three steals over 42 minutes during Friday's 105-98 Play-In Game loss to the Pelicans.
Fox came through when the Kings needed him the most, but the Pelicans put Sacramento's season to an end and will now get a matchup against the Thunder in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Fox, whose 35 points was his best outing since April 5, finished the regular season with a career-best 26.6 points per game and will surely be one of the top guards taken in next season's drafts.
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Kings' Keegan Murray: Drops 11 in defeat
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Murray closed with 11 points (4-12 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 38 minutes during Friday's 105-98 Play-In Game loss to New Orleans.
Murray had to leave the game in the second quarter due to a hip problem, and even though he returned in the second half, he didn't look at his best -- and he was certainly not as good as he was against the Warriors in the previous round of the Play-In Tournament. Murray ends his second professional campaign with averages of 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks in 33.6 minutes per game -- all slight improvements from his rookie season.
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Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Loaded line in loss
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Sabonis produced 23 points (9-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 14 rebounds, seven assists, one block and three steals over 42 minutes during Friday's 105-98 Play-In loss to the Hornets.
Sabonis tacked on a couple more double-doubles in the postseason, but he and the Kings will go no further this season. Sabonis may not contribute across the board like some other top-tier fantasy assets, but it's tough to ignore the 19.4 points, league-leading 13.7 rebounds and career-high 8.2 assists he averaged over 82 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign.
Murray (hip) has returned to Friday's Play-In Game against New Orleans, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
Murray went to the locker room at the end of the first half with left hip soreness, but he's been cleared to return. He'll be asked to play a big role down the stretch with the Kings facing a nine-point deficit to begin the third quarter.
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Kings' Keegan Murray: Heads to locker room
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Murray went to the locker room after suffering a left hip injury during the second quarter of Friday's Play-In Game against the Pelicans, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Murray appeared to slip on a wet spot on the court, and he was reportedly favoring his hip on the way to the locker room, per Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento. Trey Lyles would likely be asked to step up if Murray can't return.
Kings' Kessler Edwards: Logs garbage time minutes in win
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Edwards ended with one rebound in two minutes during Tuesday's 118-94 Play-In Game win over the Warriors.
Edwards closed the game Tuesday, handed a couple of garbage time minutes as the Kings eliminated the Warriors. It's been a disappointing season for Edwards and given his limited role, it is hard to see him featuring too much, even if the Kings advance to the playoffs.
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Kings' Keon Ellis: Shines bright in victory
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Ellis recorded 15 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals in 39 minutes during Tuesday's 118-94 Play-In Game victory over the Warriors.
Ellis continued his improbable rise Tuesday, helping the Kings to a comfortable victory over the Warriors. He has been a revelation on the defensive end for Sacramento, highlighted once again by his six combined steals and blocks. They will now face the Pelicans in a do-or-die contest with a spot in the playoffs up for grabs.
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Kings' Keegan Murray: Leads all scorers in win
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Murray ended with 32 points (10-20 FG, 8-13 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and two steals over 39 minutes during Tuesday's 118-94 Play-In Game win over the Warriors.
Murray torched the Warriors to the tune of 32 points, including eight three-pointers. The Kings led from start to finish, sending Golden State home in emphatic fashion. They will now head to New Orleans, where the Pelicans await, with both teams trying to secure the eighth and final playoff spot.
Monk (knee) has not re-commenced running amid his ongoing recovery from an MCL sprain, and he "doesn't know if a first-round return is a realistic goal," per Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
Sacramento must defeat Golden State on Tuesday to unlock a first-round opportunity, but Monk appears to be multiple recovery steps away from returning to game action. Behind superstar De'Aaron Fox, Keon Ellis and Davion Mitchell have absorbed work in a shorthanded backcourt.
