Monk makes sturdy case for remaining in Kings’ beginning lineup initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
SACRAMENTO – Malik Monk made some huge cash within the NBA by being an absolute beast coming off the bench. Now it looks as if final season Finalist for NBA Sixth Man of the 12 months goes to have higher luck with the Kings beginning lineup.
In his first begin in a Kings uniform and his first within the NBA because the last sport of the 2021-22 NBA season when he performed for the Los Angeles Lakers, Monk gave a thumbs up that sparked a much-needed spark for Sacramento on each fronts. ends.
Though the top consequence was one other loss – the Kings’ sixth of their final seven video games – Monk’s evening introduced a bit silver lining to Defeat of Sacramento 127-15 on the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at Golden 1 Middle.
Coach Mike Brown favored what he noticed sufficient to say Monk’s departure definitely will not be his final with the Kings, however declined to say the transfer was everlasting.
“Malik will begin. Will there come a day once I need to change it? Perhaps, I don’t know,” Brown stated. “However what now we have performed to date has not resulted in good issues when it comes to the underside line. So I felt like I needed to make one thing occur.
Kevin Huerter took over the beginning capturing spot and had blended outcomes. Huerter averaged 10.4 factors in 15 begins, however the Kings had been simply 7-8 over that span.
Keon Ellis hit his shot and made 4 begins, together with Sacramento’s earlier three video games. The Kings had been 2-2 in Ellis’ 4 begins.
Huerter was unavailable to play towards Spurs attributable to a proper ankle damage he suffered Friday’s loss in Portland. Even when Huerter was wholesome, Brown in all probability nonetheless would have began Monk.
Monk welcomed the information however would have most popular his day to finish a bit extra positively.
“I actually wished to win, however I am grateful to get my first begin right here,” stated Monk, who signed with the Kings forward of the 2022-23 season after beginning 37 video games for the Los Angeles Lakers the earlier season. . “It took me three years, however I’m right here now, so I hope it continues.” However sure, bittersweet, in fact.
Monk dropped 19 factors with 5 3-pointers on the Spurs and was one among three Kings starters to not end detrimental within the plus-minus class.
The 26-year-old did not put up nice numbers however he did a bit little bit of the whole lot. He shot 7 of 14 from the bench, was .500 on his 3-pointers (5 of 10) and had seven rebounds, six assists and a steal.
“It was good, however on the finish of the day we nonetheless misplaced, and it is about profitable and dropping on this league, so now we have to grasp that,” Brown stated. “I will positively give it a while and hopefully we are able to determine the issues we have to do to recover from the hump.”
The Kings confronted the Spurs with lots of the identical obstacles which have been their hindrances all season.
Particularly, San Antonio made 23 of 46 3-point makes an attempt, with a number of of them being of the wide range. Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ 7-foot-3 heart, made 5 3s alone.
“I really feel like there’s a bit little bit of an absence of consideration to element,” Monk stated. “We rise up 15 then have 4 psychological breaks and now they’re again within the sport. I really feel like we simply must pay much more consideration to element than ordinary.
“We’re going to show this round, I do know we’re.”
As for changing into a starter once more, Monk saved his outlook easy.
“I used to be blissful as a result of it lastly occurred, in fact,” he stated. “I feel we began nicely with vitality and saved going a bit, but it surely appears we won’t play 48 minutes. It is as much as us to seek out out.
