
Murray is dealing with a sore back, hence his inclusion on the Kings' injury report. If he's unable to play, that may open the door for Malik Monk to return to the starting lineup. Monk has been used in a reserve role in the five games he's played after missing three due to an illness. And even if he doesn't start, Monk would have added value if Murray is unavailable.
Murray is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Cavaliers due to a left thumb bone contusion.
Usually fourth or fifth in the Kings' offensive pecking order on most nights, Murray's had to provide value in other areas. He finished Wednesday's defeat with two steals and one blocked shot and has averaged 0.8 steals and 1.6 blocks over the past two weeks. That production is one of the reasons why he has offered top-25 value in nine-cat formats during this stretch. Shooting 50.5 percent from the field doesn't hurt, but Murray's willingness to consistently take on challenging defensive assignments has boosted his fantasy value after a slow start to the season.
Having taken a back seat offensively for most of this season, Murray had a big night on Tuesday. He established new season-highs with 28 points and nine three-pointers. Add in the rebounds and defensive stats, and Tuesday was an excellent night for Murray managers. Over the past two weeks, he has provided fourth-round value in nine-cat formats. While Murray has to be rostered in most leagues, his fantasy ceiling has been lowered by the presence of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan in the Kings' lineup.
Due to illness, Malik Monk will not be available for Saturday's game. Ellis will replace him in the starting lineup. While Monk is sidelined, Ellis is worth streaming. Rookie Devin Carter may play a few more minutes off the bench, but he is not a must-stream player.