8:02pm: The Kings will reevaluate Monk’s condition in four weeks, tweets James Ham of The Kings Beat.
5:16pm: Kings guard Malik Monk suffered a sprained right MCL in Friday’s game and is expected to be sidelined for four-to-six weeks, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The injury occurred shortly after Monk entered the game in the first quarter against Dallas, according to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Monk was defending Luka Doncic on a drive to the basket when their legs got tangled up, and Doncic landed on Monk’s right leg with much of his weight. Monk was able to walk to the locker room for treatment, but the Kings announced that he wouldn’t return to the game.
Monk is among the favorites for Sixth Man of the Year honors, averaging career highs of 15.6 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 35.1% from beyond the arc. He’s also an indispensable piece for a Sacramento team that’s locked in a tight race to avoid the play-in tournament.
A four-week absence would have Monk returning in late April. That would keep him out of action past the play-in games, which start April 16, but it could allow him to return late in a first-round matchup that lasts six or seven games.
A six-week absence means Monk wouldn’t be back until mid-May, which would be well into the middle of the second round.
First huerter, now monk? That’s tough. Keon has been a revelation, but I think they’re destined for the play-in now.
Huerter didn’t really produce much for them. Monk hurts a lot though he is a consistent 3rd option sometimes 2nd if hot.
Huerter was their starter when healthy while 6th man Monk played more minutes. Their combined ppg is 25.6, that’s going to be hard to replace.
Damn I think this locks them into the play in. They would need Duarte and or Jones to step up. They need to try and be .500 to end the season. If Houston continues to roll, they hold the tiebreaker over the Kings.
Mavs double header already knocked them out of the 6 seed. If Malik isn’t ready for the play in then it’s a wrap. My day is ruined.