Keegan Murray threatens NBA record for 3s in a game as Kings top Jazz

SACRAMENTO — Keegan Murray had a knowing, if not sheepish, look as he ran back down the court.

The Sacramento Kings forward had just unintentionally banked in a 3-pointer … from the corner. If the Jazz already didn't know that Murray was scorching hot Saturday, that was a pretty good hint.

The Jazz survived injuries and an illness going through the team to win two straight games heading into Saturday's contest in Sacramento. They couldn't survive a historic onslaught from deep, though.

Murray became just the seventh player in NBA history to hit 12 3-pointers in a game — he hit all in the first three quarters — as the Kings beat the Jazz 125-104 at Golden1 Center. Murray had 47 points and was 12-of-15 from behind the arc.

The 12 made 3-pointers was a Kings franchise record and just two shy of Klay Thompson's NBA record. Murray checked out with 2:24 left with the game well in hand.

"Keegan played a fantastic game; 12 or 15 from three is insane," Jazz coach Will Hardy said. "And it's not like everyone was wide open, but I think as we continue to grow, our team has to do a better job of recognizing in those moments who has the hot hand."

Not everyone, but a lot of them were. The Jazz consistently lost Murray in the half-court and in transition as he made a shocking 11 straight 3-pointers. Murray never dribbled before a 3-pointer Saturday, and only needed to create space with a ball fake twice. Outside of those two instances, he killed the Jazz on open catch-and-shoot triples from all over the court.

"That definitely is not something that feels good," Talen Horton-Tucker said about being on the other side of that type of performance. "Guys work on their games to have nights like that. So, you know, hats off to him."

Collin Sexton had 28 points to lead the shorthanded Jazz, who trailed by as much as 30 points. Lauri Markkanen had 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting and six rebounds, and Kelly Olynyk had a career-high 13 assists.

Utah went on a 24-8 run in the fourth quarter that at least forced the Kings' starters back in the game, but the result was never in doubt.

Ahead of the contest, though, there was plenty of doubt about the availability of Jazz players due to an illness that has spread through the team.

John Collins, Omer Yurtseven, and Luka Samanic all missed the game with an illness, and Talen Horton-Tucker played under the weather, as well. The Jazz were also without Jordan Clarkson and Keyonte George due to injuries.

Things were so dire that the Jazz flew two-way player Johnny Juzang, who was with the Salt Lake City Stars, to Sacramento Saturday afternoon just to have another body.

"I think a big part of this job is you have to be flexible," Hardy said. "And that's not just when things are going poorly from a health standpoint. I think we've talked about flexibility in terms of in the middle of a game if you see something going on that isn't going great. You need to be willing to abandon your plan and change your mind."

The Jazz didn't adjust quick enough, though, to a hot-shooting Murray.

Still, even in the loss that dropped the team to 9-17 on the season, Hardy believes the team is heading in the right direction. The turnovers have been trending down, there's been more willingness to pass, and the Jazz have played more aesthetically pleasing basketball.

"I like the way the team is playing right now, like it feels better," Hardy said. "It seems more sustainable from a standpoint of competing in the games every night."

Especially if they learn to keep tabs on a player threatening an NBA record.

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