FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
KZ OKPALA
Report: Kings waiving F KZ Okpala (knee surgery) The Sacramento Kings are waiving forward KZ Okpala on Saturday, ESPN reported.
Let go by Sacramento The Kings will waive Okpala (knee) on Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Impact Okpala hasn't played since Jan. 28 due to bilateral knee soreness, and Wojnarowski reports that the fourth-year forward is scheduled to undergo a season-ending surgery to address at least one of the knees. Sacramento signed P.J. Dozier to a one-year contract to take Okpala's spot on the 15-man roster. Before missing time with the knee injury, Okpala made 35 appearances (three starts) for Sacramento and averaged 1.3 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 7.1 minutes.
FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Out again Friday Okpala (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Clippers.
Impact Okpala hasn't played since Jan. 28 due to a knee injury. It's unclear when he'll be able to suit up again, but his next chance to do so will arrive Sunday in Oklahoma City.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Remains out against Portland Okpala (knee) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Trail Blazers.
Impact Okpala hasn't played since Jan. 28 due to a knee injury. His next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with the Clippers.
FEBRUARY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Out Tuesday Okpala (knee) won't play Tuesday against the Suns.
Impact Okpala continues to nurse a knee injury, but even if he were available, he wouldn't be a significant part of the Sacramento rotation. He's safe to leave on the waiver wire in all formats.
FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Out again Saturday Okpala (knee) remains sidelined for Saturday's game versus the Mavericks
Impact Okpala was recalled prior to Friday's game but ruled out due to bilateral knee soreness. Okpala is likely up with the parent organization receiving treatment from team doctors, but his absence from the mix shouldn't impact Sacramento's rotation.
FEBRUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Recalled but won't play Okpala has been recalled to the NBA club from the G League's Stockton Kings, but he won't play in Friday's matchup against the Mavericks due to bilateral knee soreness, Sean Cunnin...
Impact Okpala continues to recover from a knee injury that's sidelined him for over a week. It's unclear when he'll be able to suit up again, but his next chance to do so will arrive Saturday in a rematch against Dallas.
FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Recalled by Sacramento Okpala was recalled from the G League's Stockton Kings on Friday, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Impact Okpala was sent to the G League on Thursday, and he compiled eight points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal in 25 minutes during Stockton's win over the Hustle. The brief G League return was likely to knock off some rust, as Okpala hasn't seen much playing time for Sacramento recently, averaging just 5.5 minutes per game over 11 appearances in January.
JANUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Minimal role continues Monday Okpala ended Monday's 136-111 win over the Magic with five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), one rebound and one assist across 11 minutes.
Impact Okpala continues to play very few minutes, having eclipsed 10 minutes only twice in the past six weeks. Remember when he was starting to open the season? Fair enough, neither do we. The Kings are primed to make their first playoff appearance in what feels like forever, meaning Okpala is likely to remain a fringe rotation guy moving forward.
JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Re-appears in rotation Okpala recorded seven points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 21 minutes during Friday's 122-104 loss to Boston.
Impact Okpala's playing time marked a season high. Prior to Friday, he had combined for just 14 minutes across two appearances throughout November. The 23-year-old racked up four fouls in his limited run and remains a fringe rotation piece in Sacramento at the moment.
NOVEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
KZ Okpala getting second chance with Kings after uneven Heat tenure that came at cost of three picks It was an uneven ride for KZ Okpala is his two-plus seasons with the Miami Heat. Now there is a second chance with the Sacramento Kings.
OCTOBER 29, 2022 • SUN-SENTINEL.COM
Moving to bench Okpala will move to the bench for Thursday's game against the Grizzlies, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Impact While Okpala has started all three games to open the season, the wind of change seemed in the air when he logged only four minutes Sunday against the Warriors. Rookie Keegan Murray will replace him in the starting unit.
OCTOBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Set to start Wednesday Okpala will start Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Trail Blazers, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Impact With Keegan Murray (COVID-19 protocols) unavailable for Wednesday's contest, Okpala will get the start at power forward in his absence. In 21 appearances with the Heat last season, Okpala averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. He figures to shift back to a reserve role once Murray is cleared to return.
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gets the nod Friday Okpala will start in Friday's preseason matchup with the Lakers, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Impact Okpala will get the start Friday with Keegan Murray (illness) out. The fourth-year forward out of Stanford will look to get more playing time with the Kings than he did with the Heat, as he only appeared in 63 games over three seasons. Okpala will be one of the Kings' primary backup forwards this season.
OCTOBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
ASK IRA: A note to readers about how this works Q: The fans that latch onto these people that should be in street clothes for games blow my mind.– Robert.. A: This was in response to Frida...
SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • DENVERPOST.COM
ASK IRA: Could KZ Okpala be one that got away from Heat? Can KZ Okpala find post-Miami Heat success with Sacramento Kings?
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • SUN-SENTINEL.COM
Agrees to deal with Kings Okpala signed a two-year deal with the Kings on Friday, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.
Impact The 23-year-old was traded to the Thunder last year but was waived without appearing in a single game for the team. Now Okpala reunites with Nigerian National Team head coach Mike Brown in Sacramento. The 6-foot-8 forward is set to compete amongst Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles and Chimezie Metu for playing time next season.
JULY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Waived by OKC Okpala (wrist) was waived by the Thunder on Friday, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.
Impact This news clears up the surprising reports of Okpala not being on Friday's injury report -- it turns out he wasn't on the team anymore. It's possible Okpala's wrist issue is, in fact, too much of a hindrance for the Thunder to hang onto him for the remainder of the season. More information regarding the confusing situation -- the Thunder gave up a second-round pick in the trade -- may arrive eventually.
FEBRUARY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Not listed on injury report Okpala (wrist) is not listed on the Thunder's injury report ahead of Friday's contest against the 76ers, Rylan Stiles of BricktownBuckets.com reports.
Impact Okpala hasn't taken the court since Dec. 28 due to a wrist injury, but in a surprising turn of events, the third-year forward appears to be trending towards being available Friday. If he does suit up, Okpala would be making his Thunder debut after being traded by the Heat in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. However, even if he is available, it's unlikely he garners a big enough role to crack fantasy relevancy.
FEBRUARY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Traded to Oklahoma City Okpala (wrist) was traded from the Heat to the Thunder on Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick.
Impact Okpala hasn't taken the court since Dec. 28 due to a wrist injury, and it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return in spite of his day-to-day designation from the Heat. However, he'll presumably be unavailable for Oklahoma City's game against the Raptors on Wednesday. It's not yet clear whether the Thunder will keep Okpala, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports. If he remains with the organization, he should provide an additional option off the bench once healthy after he averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game across 21 appearances to begin the season.
FEBRUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play Monday Okpala (wrist) has been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Wizards.
Impact The Heat continue to treat Okpala as day-to-day, though he hasn't played since Dec. 28. His next chance to take the court is Thursday in New Orleans.
FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out Saturday Okpala (wrist) is out Saturday against the Hornets.
Impact The Heat continue to treat Okpala as day-to-day, though he hasn't played since Dec. 28. His next chance to take the court is Monday against the Wizards.
FEBRUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Still out Thursday Okpala (wrist) has been ruled out for Thursday's game at San Antonio, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Impact Okpala continues to be unavailable due to a sprained right wrist and will miss his 18th straight game. It's unclear when he'll return to action for Miami.
FEBRUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out again Tuesday Okpala (wrist) has been ruled out for Tuesday's contest against the Raptors, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Impact Okpala has been sidelined by a sprained right wrist since late December, and his absence will continue Tuesday. The third-year forward remains without a timetable for a potential return.
FEBRUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play Monday Okpala (wrist) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Celtics.
Impact Okpala has been sidelined by a sprained right wrist since late December, and his absence will continue Monday. He's also likely to be sidelined for the second half of the back-to-back set Tuesday versus the Raptors.
JANUARY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
