The playoffs are a completely different environment compared to the regular season. After breaking the 3-point record for a rookie, Keegan Murray is thus experiencing it.
Because the Kings rookie has not weighed since the start of the series. After 2 points at 1/5 in Game 1, then 2 points at 0/1 in Game 2, he finished Game 3 with 6 points at 2/7 including 1/5 from afar. Bothered by faults, he is the symbol of Golden State’s defensive strategy, which deprives Sacramento’s shooters of good opportunities from afar.
In the first two games, Mike Brown’s players had compensated by winning the “battle of possession”, thanks to Golden State’s stray balls and rebounds, but that was not the case in Game 3.
“There are few rookies who start for playoff teams and play a real role like him, so it’s great for him that he’s going through that” tempers Mike Brown on the difficulties of his player. “We want him to be aggressive. We want him to keep shooting. We have the impression that he has good positions, his shots just don’t go in, but I think that’s going to happen eventually and that’s why we encourage him to continue. »
The Kings’ 3-point address targeted
It must be said that Keegan Murray is not the only Kings shooter not to find the target since the start of the series. The percentages of Kevin Huerter (3/20), Malik Monk (5/15), Harrison Barnes (4/14) have also fallen heavily and there is therefore no question of charging the rookie, who discovers the intensity of the playoffs .
“We have to see if he can get some easy shots in transition. It’s new for him, and for a lot of our guys, but it’s really new for him.” continues the coach. “We love him, we’re going to be patient with him and we’re going to give him a chance to succeed. He must know these complicated moments to learn. »
Same speech obviously at De’Aaron Fox.
“I continue to encourage him, even during the match” assures the leader. “It’s difficult, especially for a rookie who has played a lot for us all season. It’s not for nothing that he broke the 3-point record. So we know he’s good. We know he can play. Obviously, the physical dimension and everything else has increased, the intensity of the game has increased. He struggled a bit, but we want him to get going.”
| Keegan Murray | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | BAG | 80 | 30 | 45.3 | 41.1 | 76.5 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 12.2 |
| Total | 80 | 30 | 45.3 | 41.1 | 76.5 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 12.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
