After missing three games due to a right toe sprain, Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk returned to the hardwood on Monday night at Golden 1 Center.
While Monk’s return was a welcome sight for the playoff-hopeful Beam Team, the result was a disappointing one as Sacramento was run out of the gym by the Jalen Brunson-less New York Knicks, losing by a final of 133-104.
Monk, who logged 30 minutes of action in his return over three quarters, departed for the locker room before the start of the fourth quarter and did not return. At that point, the Kings were well out of the game, with interim head coach Doug Christie emptying his bench for the final period as Sacramento sputtered to their second loss in as many nights.
Naturally, a player who heads to the locker room after returning from an injury would raise some red flags, but Monk poured water on any notion that he is still feeling pain in his toe.
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“Feel good, though. Shoot, I’m tired, but I feel good though,” Malik Monk said when asked how he felt after returning to the floor following a three-game absence.
Monk, who led Sacramento with 21 points on seven-of-18 shooting during the loss, said he went to the locker room at the end of the third quarter to get his toe checked because it “felt weird,” but added that he felt fine.
“It just felt weird. Went to get it checked out,” Monk said. “It’s good.”
The Kings will need Monk to be at the top of his game for this final 18-game stretch as Sacramento (33-31) navigates a treacherous upcoming schedule that features the NBA’s second-hardest remaining road to the postseason.
Monday’s loss to the Knicks dropped the Kings 2.5 games behind the sixth-seed Golden State Warriors, and the two Northern California rivals will face off in San Francisco on Thursday at Chase Center in front of a national audience on TNT.
Having Monk back in the fold is crucial, especially when Sacramento has little-to-no depth at the point guard position. Monk, traditionally a shooting guard, has slotted into the floor general role following De’Aaron Fox’s trade to San Antonio last month. Outside of Monk, the Kings have Markelle Fultz, who has played sparingly upon signing with the team, and defensive guard Keon Ellis to fill in at the point.
Sacramento could have All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis (hamstring strain) back for their matchup against Golden State, as the big man was recently cleared for on-court activities and is set to be re-evaluated before the Kings’ practice on Wednesday.
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Fresh off a heartbreaking loss in Los Angeles, Maik Monk and the Sacramento Kings needed to show up in a big way on Monday night to avoid falling further behind the Golden State Warriors for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference standings.
Although the Kings continue to be in a position where they need every game they can get during the final stretch of the season, the sense of urgency was entirely on the side of the New York Knicks in this one as Sacramento fell flat in a 133-104 loss at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings (33-31) allowed the Knicks far too many open looks on the perimeter and went through their own struggles on their end of the floor as New York jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.
Read more below:
Knicks pummel Kings as Sacramento suffers latest setback
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Malik Monk and the Sacramento Kings will face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday in a game involving massive postseason implications.
With a win, the Kings will hope to secure the regular-season series from the Warriors while also gaining a game on Golden State’s sixth-seed spot in the Western Conference standings.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Golden Warriors drama right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 7:00 PM PT from the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings
Thursday, March 13th – @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, March 14th – @ Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PT
Monday, March 17th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, March 19th – vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 20th – vs. Chicago Bulls – 7:00 PM PT
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