The Sacramento Kings fell to the Golden State Warriors 111-106 Saturday. There were several noteworthy developments in the game, including Ben Simmons making his season debut, Keegan Murray’s debut, a solid performance from Darius Acuff Jr., and a concerning injury to Maxime Raynaud.
Raynaud injury and update from the Kings
In the second quarter, Maxime Raynaud went to the floor after a screen and came down holding his knee in a lot of pain. They had to bring a wheelchair out to get him on the floor and after the game he was seen on crutches. It did not look good.
On Sunday, the Kings sent out a medical update:
“Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud, who exited Saturday night’s preseason game against the Golden State Warriors with 2:32 remaining in the second quarter, underwent an MRI of his right knee. Imaging revealed a right patellar subluxation. Raynaud will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks and further updates will be provided as appropriate.”
This sounds like good news considering how bad the injury looked. The fact there are no major tears or surgery being reported is promising.
Ben Simmons returns
After sitting out the entire season last year, Simmons made his return with Saturday. Though he only played nine minutes, he looked spry in the open court made quick decisions, had some impressive passes, including a no-look bounce pass for a bucket. He also showed some aggressiveness on offense, converting a turnaround hook shot, and knocking down a step-back jumper from 12 feet. He also earned two trips to the free throw line. He finished with 7 points and an assist in 9 minutes.
Defensively, he forced Steph Curry into a missed shot on a nice defensive possession.
“We want to defend, rebound and run the floor and share the basketball. He does all those things,” Doug Christie said following the game.
Keegan Murray explains preseason absence
Keegan Murray was curiously missing from the first two preseason games. He revealed after the game he was related to his ankle. Murray had ankle surgery at the end of last season.
“Everything is ankle related. I had a little setback in training camp. That’s why I didn’t play the first two and I’m just trying to get ready for the regular season,” Murray explained.
Keegan played 8 minutes and finished with 5 points on 2-3 from the field.
Darius Acuff Jr. shines
Acuff had an outstanding, and efficient, performance. He finished with 25 points on 53% from the field, 66% from three, and 5-of-5 from the free throw line. He also added 8 assists and 4 rebounds in 27 minutes.
Acuff just looks extremely comfortable at this level, and it is quite promising.
Keegan needs to get himself some of those Steph Curry ankle braces.
Ugh, I’m afraid that it’s gonna be a lingering thing going into the season.
Where’s that Youngman GIF when you need it?
OT: Acuff going house shopping in Sac
What a lovely quaint country cottage.
Happy Max isn’t hurt worse. That was scary. I am hopeful for some fun basketball and exciting wins this year. Build towards the future. Doug’s last chance.
P.S. Have G-Man call every game while we still can. What a delight to hear him.
would like to see a Simmons, Domas, Keegan frontcourt …
I certainly don’t see Hunter performing any better than Simmons and it gives you, essentially, two point guards and one good passer at center. Precious can pick up at the 4 when needed.
Man, if Hunter turns out to be a dud for the Kings, it might be the worst move of Perry’s tenure. He had to trade Keon and take on more salary for Hunter. Because it put them into the apron, they then had to waive and stretch DDR. All for what?
There are going to be many contenders on that list.
The thing is, he hasn’t been a dud for his career. He sure looked uncomfortable against the Warriors trying to force offense. Decent game on defense but he’s not a rebounder. But there is one strange things on this Kings team. We used to have a roster of guards and now we seem to have a glut of 6’6″-6’9″ guys who can play multiple positions. Maybe they can’t score from those positions, but it’s always nice to have a bigger team. When Simmons started at PG, Lavine was the smallest player on the team at 6’5″.
Signing Schroeder to that deal was worse, and then he doubled down in that salary dump by adding Hunter and more salary. Maybe Perry can deal Hunter for someone with an even longer deal who is even more overpaid. Just keep doubling down until we have Bradley Beal, or sign and trade for Kuminga at $30 million per year.
T-Wolves signed JK for 2 years 12.4 mil. 2nd year is player option. We are so lucky the Dubs didn’t want Monk or we’d be looking at 5 and 125+
Yes. Exactly! Somehow dodged the king’s idiocy. I’ll say it again, it was clear and obvious that Jonathan Kuminga was not that good when he played with the Warriors.
Why the hell else would he not get off the bench in playoffs?
Only the kings are stupid enough to keep pursuing him. Just like they’re the only team to pick up Westbrook.
You’re right, Schroeder is still #1 mistake by Perry. Hopefully Hunter can produce and provide something valuable in trade that nets the Kings something from the Schroeder deal.
Maybe an apron contender would value not only his play but his expiring deal.
How about the Kings get 25mil bach next year when Hunter’s contract is up, Add Lavine’s 49 mil and that’s over 70 mil next year. Not to shabby.
But what do they do with it, Jack? Quality free agents aren’t coming here. If anyone does, it likely takes an overpay.
Put me in the camp that the Kings should use their cap space to absorb deals from teams desperate to cut salary, as long as they come with draft capital. It’s the small market model that Vivek seems to refuse to follow, but has worked for OKC and the Spurs.
That makes too much sense for the kings to do it
And do what with cap space?
We know they aren’t in the business of taking on bad deals for draft assets.
No positive difference maker is going to sign with the Kings. If somehow they decide to, it will be a massive overpay.
I just have zero confidence that Perry/Vivek will make good basketball decisions.
Its ok as Perry has a great reputation around the league, and he knows people…………. So says the local media
I will give Perry some credit for Ben Simmons. But I think Simon is gonna be good. It was Perry’s connections that alerted him to Simmons being there and Perry knows his coach
but for the most part, I do not like him. Just a shill for the owner.
It is possible with a cuff and Simmons and a healthy Keegan that Perry might find some success(at least watch ability) with the kings despite his idiocy
I loved Neon Keon on the Kings, so that trade hurt. On the positive side, Sharp looks like the real deal defensively. He also plays mean which is something this team needs.
Sounds about right. A perfect Kings move. Trade players-take on money and get worse.
I know it was only 9 minutes, but Ben Simmons looked really good! Hopefully timid Ben is a thing of the past and he will stay aggressive. I could see him taking Hunter’s place in the starting lineup. It would take pressure off Acuff, make the kings really dangerous in the fast break, and Keegan and Ben could be a nasty defensive duo.
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