The Sacramento Kings are navigating a challenging portion of their regular season schedule, and they will be without two key pieces–All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis and starting guard Malik Monk–to begin a big weekend that could affect their place in the standings.
With Sabonis still nursing a left hamstring strain, the Kings have announced that Monk (right toe sprain) will miss Friday’s game against old friend De’Aaron Fox and the San Antonio Spurs.
Monk, who suffered the injury during Sacramento’s win in Dallas on Monday night and missed the Kings’ most recent game in Denver on Wednesday, is considered day-to-day.
Since becoming a starter 39 games ago, Monk is averaging 18.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
With Malik Monk sitting out against the Spurs, Keon Ellis will all but surely get another start alongside Zach LaVine in the backcourt on Friday.
Ellis logged 38 minutes during Wednesday’s loss in Denver, scoring 11 points to go along with seven rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
Sacramento is missing two of its key contributors in Monk and Sabonis at an unideal time, but the good news is that both players aren’t believed to have suffered long-term injuries. Sabonis will be re-evaluated on Sunday, although he could require longer than his one-week re-evaluation period.
Monk’s day-to-day diagnosis is encouraging, as the Kings will hope to get their starting guard back after a couple of days off. Sacramento will face the Los Angeles Clippers, a team they are neck-and-neck within the Western Conference standings, on Sunday night at the Intuit Dome.
If Malik Monk is unable to return on Sunday, the Kings will be in action on the second night of a back-to-back on Monday at home against the New York Knicks.
More Malik Monk & Kings coverage from Sactown Sports
Former Sacramento Kings head coach and general manager Jerry Reynolds joined The Drive Guys on Thursday afternoon. He praised interim head coach Doug Christie for his job getting his new-look group to gel.
Coming off a four-game winning streak, Sacramento ended their road trip 3-1, taking care of weaker opponents (Charlotte, Utah, Dallas) while competing against Houston and Denver, winning the former.
Reynolds shared his perspective on the unfriendly whistle the Kings received in the Mile High City but had an overall optimistic outlook as this team traverses the final stretch of its 2024-25 season.
Doug Christie was thrown into the fire but has done a “marvelous job” traversing the challenging circumstances, from Reynolds’s perspective.
Jerry Reynolds has high praise for interim HC Doug Christie
Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings
Friday, March 7th – vs. San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 9th – @ Los Angeles Clippers – 6:30 PM PT
Monday, March 10th – vs. New York Knicks – 7:30 PM PT
Thursday, March 13th – @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, March 14th – @ Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PT
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