SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Keegan Murray, the Sacramento Kings’ dynamic second-year forward, delivered a mesmerizing shooting performance against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, leading his team to a commanding 125-104 victory. Murray’s career-high 47 points, fueled by a near-record 12 3-pointers, were the highlight of the game, marking a remarkable feat in NBA history.
Murray’s 12 3-pointers were just two shy of Klay Thompson’s NBA record. He made 12 of his first 13 attempts from beyond the arc, but narrowly missed breaking the record after failing to connect on his last two three-point attempts. His achievement placed him among the elite few who have made 12 or more 3-pointers in a single NBA game.
Kings coach Mike Brown praised Murray’s approach, noting that his performance didn’t seem forced and that his teammates effectively found him open. Domantas Sabonis also made significant contributions with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, marking his seventh consecutive double-double and 20th of the season.
The Kings showcased their long-range prowess, shooting 22 of 45 from the 3-point line, the third time this season they’ve made at least 20 three-pointers. Colin Sexton led the Jazz with 28 points, and Lauri Markkanen added 18.
Sacramento’s control of the game was evident in the third quarter, where they outscored the Jazz 44-26. Murray’s 26 points in this quarter broke Mitch Richmond’s franchise record of 25 points in a quarter, set in 1995. Murray likened his performance to his college days, describing a sensation of “blacking out” when he gets hot, leading to a streak of successful shots.
The Kings solidified their lead at the end of the third quarter, with Murray’s buzzer-beating 12th 3-pointer stretching the lead to 106-76. Jazz coach Will Hardy acknowledged Murray’s impact, saying, “Every time you make a mistake, he makes the shot.”
Murray’s first-half performance was equally impressive, scoring 19 points as Sacramento took a 62-50 lead into halftime. Coach Brown highlighted Murray’s potential, emphasizing his growth and the broad scope of his skills.
Sacramento played without starting point guard De’Aaron Fox due to right shoulder irritation, while the Jazz were missing Jordan Clarkson and John Collins due to injury and illness, respectively.
UP NEXT
The Jazz will look to bounce back as they host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Kings, riding high on Murray’s spectacular shooting, will welcome the Washington Wizards on Monday night, hoping to continue their winning momentum.
