The Sacramento Kings received a significant setback on Saturday when it was announced that Malik Monk will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks due to a sprained MCL.
With just nine games remaining in the regular season, the Kings find themselves two games behind the No. 6 Mavericks for the Western Conference’s final guaranteed playoff spot. This situation increases the likelihood of the Kings participating in the Play-In Tournament, set to commence on April 16.
Unfortunately, Monk’s injury rules him out of the Play-In Tournament, and given the earliest possible return date of May 1, he is also likely to miss the first round of the playoffs should the Kings advance.
In essence, unless the Kings progress to at least the second round, Monk’s season is effectively over. Even in the event of a deeper playoff run, if his recovery extends towards the latter end of the timeline, he may still be unavailable.
This loss significantly impacts the Kings, as Monk, a prominent Sixth Man of the Year candidate (eligibility based on 72 games played), plays a pivotal role as an explosive scoring threat off the bench. With averages of 15 points and five assists per game, he stands as the Kings’ second-most potent shot creator after De’Aaron Fox.
Some argue that Monk is the premier one-on-one creator, not just due to his scoring prowess but also his playmaking ability. He leads the league in total assists on drives, leveraging both his threat from beyond the arc and his aggressive attacks towards the basket, making him a formidable offensive force.
Monk’s presence injects the Kings with a tangible energy. His scoring outbursts often catalyze the entire team, and his absence could pose challenges, particularly in leading through the Play-In Tournament and a potentially tough first-round matchup.
Currently, the Kings would face Phoenix in the initial Play-In Tournament game, with a victory positioning them as the No. 7 seed against OKC in the first round. Alternatively, a loss to Phoenix followed by a win over the victor of the Warriors-Lakers Play-In Tournament game would place them as the No. 8 seed, setting up a first-round clash with the defensively stout Timberwolves.
Regardless of the outcome, Sacramento faces a daunting task in securing a playoff berth in the closing stretch of the season.
