Keon Ellis breaks down his career-high performance

Nov 19, 2024, 9:34 AM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Keon Ellis #23 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball agains...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Staying ready at all times is an important aspect of professional sports, and Keon Ellis exemplified this on Monday night at Golden 1 Center.

The Sacramento Kings’ defensive specialist displayed his three-point shooting ability during a 109-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, scoring a career-high 33 points on nine-of-15 shooting from beyond the three-point line.

Ellis became just the third player in Kings franchise history to make nine or more triples in a single game, joining Keegan Murray (12) and Buddy Hield (who did it three times) on the exclusive list of Sacramento shooters.

More on Kings guard Keon Ellis

It’s been an interesting start to the season for Ellis, who appeared to be in position to begin the season as head coach Mike Brown’s starting two-guard.

Ellis’ defensive abilities, paired with his career three-point field goal percentage of 42 percent, made him an ideal fit next to star guard De’Aaron Fox and high-scoring wing DeMar DeRozan in the first unit. However, Brown opted to roll with sharpshooter and NBA veteran Kevin Huerter, leaving Ellis in a reserve role.

After registering a DNP-CD in the second game of the season, Ellis has been Brown’s go-to bench guard–especially in light of Malik Monk’s ankle injury that has put the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up on the shelf for the past week.

Ellis has stayed ready, and at a time when Sacramento was without Monk, DeRozan (back), and Domantas Sabonis (back), he found a rhythm to help aid Fox’s efforts.

The Kings fell short, losing by one point in a game that could be reflected on with a sour taste depending on the results of Tuesday’s NBA Two Minute Report, but Ellis more than did his part.

“Heck of a job by Keon Ellis. We’ve been on him about–if you’re open, let that thing go, and tonight, he let it go,” Brown said of Ellis following Monday’s game. “He’s a good shooter. He shot 47% from the three when he was in the G league. Last year, he was around 40%, and so we know he could shoot basketball. It was great to see him step into it and let it fly tonight.”

Fox, who has been putting the depleted Kings on his back over the past week, spoke highly of Ellis’ career night, saying that his teammate deserves more credit for his abilities beyond the three-point line.

“It was great. Even just looking at the course of his career, he’s a 40% 3-point shooter. I don’t think people are giving him the credit that he deserves,” Fox said of Ellis. “I think if we start winning at a high level, then I think guys or national people will start to see. But I mean, the way he shot the ball was definitely incredible for us and kept us in the game. He had big moments for us, and then getting to the line down the stretch, he was big for us tonight.”

Ellis has looked hesitant this season, sometimes passing up open looks to make an extra pass or displaying a lapse in judgment that sometimes results in a turnover or squandered opportunity.

As great as an on-and-off-ball defender as Ellis is, showing confidence in his offensive game is the next step in his progression. Monday’s game was a step forward in the right direction for the 24-year-old, as Ellis hoisted a career-high 17 field goal attempts from the field, including 15 from deep.

“I can’t say really anything changed,” Ellis said of his aggressive approach against the Hawks. “I just know, when I got in there, I just tried to attack every opportunity I had. If it’s open, should I just take it? Just always try to make the aggressive play and just let the chips fall, where they where they do. So, just kind of try to go in and be aggressive.”

Sacramento will likely get some key pieces back following a much-needed three-day break, meaning Ellis could once again see his opportunities become limited, especially on the offensive end.

As we learned from Monday’s game, Ellis has the ability and aggression to find his spots. He has proven that he can execute on both sides of the ball. It all comes down to confidence, and Ellis should continue to be on the attack, even with a fully healthy roster.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will enjoy a much-needed three-day break before facing the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Friday night.

The Kings and Clippers will cross paths in another NBA Cup group play game, with Sacramento (0-1) and Los Angeles (0-1) each seeking their first win in the Western Conference Group A standings.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Clippers action 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 7:30 PM PT from Inglewood.