Keegan takes aim at Spida's rookie 3-point record down stretch

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Kings rookie Keegan Murray is on the right path toward making NBA history this season. 

The 22-year-old is 51 treys away from holding the all-time NBA rookie 3-point record. With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, the final stretch of the regular season will be his chance to do it. 

Sacramento has 25 regular-season games remaining, so the clock is ticking for the rook. But Murray’s stats prove he’s more than capable

As NBC Sports California’s Tom Dierberger pointed out, Murray knocked down 68 triples in the last 25 games, shooting an impressive 45 percent from behind the arc in that same stretch. 

NBA star Donovan Mitchell currently holds the record, making 187 3-pointers in his 2017-18 rookie season. 

Prior to the All-Star break, Murray made 137 3-pointers. It’s the most threes ever by a rookie before the All-Star break, which is more than Mitchell, Luka Dončić and the 2023 NBA All-Star 3-point contest winner, Damian Lillard. 

Not bad company to be in. 

Murray gradually has gotten the hot hand recently, and it was his 3-pointer that sent his squad to the Rising Stars Game final this past weekend. 

But in order to rise, there has to be a lower point in your season. The Iowa product has experienced the highs and lows of any rookie season. In his first 25 NBA games, he averaged 10 percent lower from behind the arc than his last 25 games.

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But Murray never stopped shooting though and his confidence has grown, which has turned into immediate results for the Kings. 

They'll need that same confidence from Murray during the final stretch of the season if they want to make the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2005 -- and if he wants to break that record.

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