Nov 24, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) controls the ball while being defended by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

'He’s the Key to This Team' – Sacramento Kings’ Keegan Murray Draws Praise From Star Teammate in OT Win Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Nov 25, 2025 6:07 AM ET

Keegan Murray did the honors of lighting the beam after the Sacramento Kings won 117-112 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, and star teammate DeMar DeRozan believes that Murray deserves it.

“It’s everything. Keegan is the key to this team. It’s his team. He’s one of those guys that’s going to be very, very special in this league, and he’s showing it with his dynamic play on both ends. He changes the game,” DeRozan said of Murray via Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.

“Hell of a start to the season,” he added. “A lot of frustration, losing, kind of getting embarrassed at home, on the road. It was on us to shift that energy. That’s all it is. Just pride. Everybody sticking together through tough times.”

Nov 24, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) goes up for a layup against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

In only his second game this season, Murray notched 26 points and 14 rebounds on 10-for-19 shooting from the field in 44 minutes of action. The Sacramento Kings have yet to lose with Murray, who missed the first 16 games due to a thumb injury, in the lineup.

Sacramento Kings News: Keegan Murray reflects on his return, the team’s two-game winning run

Before Keegan Murray’s on-court return, the Sacramento Kings were in a bad place, as they were on an eight-game losing skid. According to the four-year pro, last night’s win was all about fighting for pride in front of their home fans.

Nov 24, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) dribbles the ball while being defended by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

“I think I just had a really good offseason. I got away from Sac a little bit. I feel like I just kinda unlocked different mindset going into this year… Aggression is not really an issue for me this year,” Murray said.

“It was a long eight games,” he added. “I think we hadn’t won it like two weeks or something like that, so the fact that we were 4-13 and we had a crowd like that just shows how special Sacramento is.”