Keegan Murray's Ankle Taps Out, Leaving the Kings' Defense on Life Support

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray is officially out for Sunday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies with an ankle injury, removing the last shred of resistance from a defense that is currently operating like a turnstile.

Underdog NBA dropped the final ruling on Sunday after Murray was initially downgraded to doubtful. For a Sacramento team that is already bleeding points, losing their $140 million two-way forward is the exact opposite of a solution.

"Fans on social media expressed frustration over Murray's injury history."

The timing is brutal if you are a Kings fan. Sacramento just gave up 121 points in a blowout loss to the LA Clippers, then immediately followed that up by letting the Portland Trail Blazers hang 128 on them. Getting stops right now looks like a polite suggestion rather than a requirement for this roster.

Murray is one of the few guys in the rotation who actually enjoys contesting shots. He already dealt with a torn UCL in his thumb earlier in the year, so the Kings are clearly not taking any chances with a lower-body flare-up for a guy they just locked up on a massive five-year extension.

If you are staring at the betting board for Sunday, Murray being ruled out is a glaring warning sign. You cannot confidently back a team that refuses to play defense when their most reliable wing is watching from the bench in street clothes.

The Kings now have to figure out how to patch together a functional lineup against Memphis. Until Sacramento proves they can guard a parked car, expect opposing offenses to keep treating them like a layup line.