Yahoo Movies Kings-Timberwolves gameday: Keegan Murray in running for another Rookie of the Month award
Kings forward Keegan Murray picked up his first piece of NBA hardware when he was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December. He might have to make room for another one soon.
Murray was good in December, averaging 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists while shooting 46% from the field and 46.4% from 3-point range. He’s been even better in January as the Kings (27-21) prepare to face the Minnesota Timberwolves (27-25) on Monday at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Murray’s scoring, rebounding and assists have all gone up in January. So has his efficiency. He is averaging 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 51.9% shooting from the field and 50.6% shooting from beyond the arc.
Murray posted back-to-back double-doubles in wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder after Kings coach Mike Brown challenged him to become a better rebounder. Murray had career highs of 29 points and 14 rebounds in the win over Oklahoma City.
Murray’s top competition for Rookie of the Month could come from the likes of Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan and Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.
Kessler is averaging 10.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.3 blocks while shooting 69% from the field in January. He has five double-doubles this month with six double-digit rebounding games. He had 20 points and 21 rebounds in a win over Minnesota. He blocked seven shots in a win over the Orlando Magic.
Sochan is averaging 12.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 44/39/83 shooting splits in January. He scored a career-high 30 points in an overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
Smith is averaging 11.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in January, but he is shooting just 38.3% from the field and 17% from 3-point range. He had 12 rebounds, three blocked shots, two assists and two steals in a win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, but he was held to seven points on 2-of-12 shooting.
Kings at Timberwolves
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Target Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Even
Over/under: 236.5
Injury report
Kings: None.
Timberwolves: QUESTIONABLE — Rudy Gobert (groin); Taurean Prince (ankle). OUT — Luka Garza (G League); Jordan McLaughlin (calf); Josh Minott (G League); Wendell Moore Jr. (G League); Matt Ryan (G League); Karl-Anthony Towns (calf).
Upcoming schedule
Jan. 30 at Minnesota Timberwolves
Feb. 1 at San Antonio Spurs
Feb. 3 at Indiana Pacers
Feb. 5 at New Orleans Pelicans
Feb 6. at Houston Rockets
