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Frontcourt Woes Continue for Kings After Injury Updates
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- Frontcourt Woes Continue for Kings After Injury Updates
(Dennis Lee/Imagn Images)
Injuries have hampered the Sacramento Kings ' frontcourt, and the team received updates on Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell and Keegan Murray on Monday, per Brenden Nunes of Sactown Sports .
Raynaud is reportedly progressing well in his rehab and will be reevaluated in two weeks. The second-year center sustained a right patellar subluxation in the second quarter of a 111-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 10.
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HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported he would be reevaluated in two weeks after his injury. The recovery timeline pushes Raynaud's absence to a month without any setbacks.
Sacramento has missed his 7-foot-1 frame coming off the bench. Coach Doug Christie has to play small when Domantas Sabonis sits, opting to play Precious Achiuwa or Jonathan Mogbo.
Raynaud adds another screen setter for the pick-and-roll game. He developed quickly last season with Russell Westbrook , who constantly fed his big man.
The former All-Rookie Second Team center bulked up in the offseason and helped France finish 7-1 in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers group play stage.
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At media day, Raynaud said he worked to change his jumper, making the release more compact and quicker. His potential as a floor spacer allows Christie to run double-big lineups with Sabonis.
Cardwell is continuing his return-to-play process and will be reevaluated in one week. He sustained a left calf strain in preseason, ending his campaign after two games against the Los Angeles Lakers .
The 6-foot-10 center is Sacramento's best shot blocker. Cardwell averaged 1.5 blocks per game last season when Sabonis went out with season-ending surgery in February.
His rim protection saved the team late in games multiple times. The highlight of the final six games: a five-block performance against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 3.
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He blocked Zion Williamson's layup with less than 15 seconds remaining and shared an energetic celebration with Russell Westbrook. One possession later, he guarded Jeremiah Fears down the court and blocked his dunk attempt.
Murray's update is a step in the wrong direction for the Kings. He experienced soreness and stiffness in his left ankle after last Friday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers .
The fifth-year forward will be reevaluated in 10-14 days.
Lingering left ankle issues have hampered him for the last year. Murray sprained his left ankle in January, missed 20 games, returned in February and sprained it again.
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He underwent arthroscopic surgery in the offseason to remove loose bodies. Murray entered the season healthy, which he said he was happy for, but now he's sidelined again.
Injuries are a thorn in Sacramento's side and hamper its depth when Christie needs his players the most.
