Malik Monk fined for role in Friday night’s altercation with Houston Rockets

Jan 15, 2023, 10:13 AM | Updated: 10:14 am

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Alperen Se...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk has been fined $25,000 for his role in Friday night’s on-court altercation with Houston Rockets guard Garrison Matthews, according to a release that the NBA issued on Sunday morning.

With 11:09 remaining in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game at Golden 1 Center, Monk and Matthews got into each other’s faces after the Rockets guard initiated contact with Monk while going for a loose ball.

Monk took exception to the contact–which was whistled as a foul on Matthews–and poked the basketball out of Matthews’ hands before the two needed to be separated by teammates, officials, and coaches.

The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/86qNlKCn76

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 15, 2023

KINGS-ROCKETS GETTING CHIPPY 👀

Four players were ejected including Malik Monk and Garrison Mathews after this scuffle. pic.twitter.com/OTY5tL2S3U

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 14, 2023

Monk and Matthews were ultimately ejected from the game, along with Kings forward Chimezie Metu, who exchanged words with players on the Houston bench.

Matthews ($35,000) and forward Tari Eason ($30,000) were also fined, while two other members of the Rockets–guard Jalen Green and guard Jae’Sean Tate–have been suspended for leaving the bench and entering the court of play during the skirmish.

Metu, who was not fined for his role in what transpired between the two teams, took to social media following the news to share his relief at not having to open up his wallet:

pic.twitter.com/UAGmBXFgKm

— Chimezie Metu™ (@Chimezie_Metu) January 15, 2023

After taking two-straight games against the Rockets, Sacramento will open up a brief two-game road trip on Sunday afternoon when they face the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Spurs coverage on Sactown Sports 1140 starting at 2:30 pm PST on Game Night before action tips off at 4:00 pm PST from downtown San Antonio.