Malik Monk (ankle sprain) to be sidelined at least two weeks

Nov 11, 2024, 3:48 PM

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 21: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the Wash...

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

The Sacramento Kings’ rotation just got much thinner.

Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Malik Monk will be sidelined for at least two weeks due to a right ankle sprain, per the team’s announcement on Monday afternoon.

Monk, who exited Sunday’s win in Phoenix after taking a bad step when attempting to get around a screen set by Suns big Mason Plumlee, underwent imaging that revealed no structural damage to his injured ankle.

It’s been a tough start to the season for Monk, as the 26-year-old holds averages 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game on 44 percent shooting from the field and 27 percent from three-point range. Now, the guard will be sidelined for two weeks, meaning he will miss at least six games as Sacramento attempts to piece together a strong opening to the regular season.

With Monk sidelined, the Kings will have to lean even further on a starting five that features four players—DeMar DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis—in the NBA’s top-ten list of minutes-per-game leaders.

Expect Keon Ellis and Jordan McLaughlin to see a bump in playing time as Monk recovers, with Doug McDermott also likely to be in the mix for head coach Mike Brown.

Malik Monk appeared to injure his ankle on this play pic.twitter.com/KuZFzXXepN

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) November 11, 2024

More Sacramento Kings Injury Updates

Kings guard Devin Carter is progressing in his rehabilitation from successful left shoulder surgery on July 11. Carter recently completed his four-month follow-up appointment with Dr. Harlan Selesnick of Baptist Health Doctors Hospital and was cleared for unrestricted shooting. Additional medical updates will be provided in January.

Kings center Orlando Robinson continues to progress in his rehabilitation from a sprained left MCL that was sustained in practice on October 3. He has been cleared for contact and will be re-evaluated in the coming days.