After missing two games, Malik Monk says he will return on Thursday night

After suffering a scary-looking ankle injury back on February 10th against the Dallas Mavericks, Malik Monk is ready to make his return.

In his first media availability since suffering a low-grade ankle sprain, the Sacramento Kings guard told the media that he will be ready to play on Thursday when the team begins its final 25-game stretch against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center.

“It’s good, it’s great,” Monk said of how his ankle feels after going through a full practice on Tuesday. “I’ll be back Thursday. I’m ready to go.”

Monk, who tweaked his ankle after coming down awkwardly following a score in the paint, said that he initially thought the injury was more severe than it was.

“Don’t be broke,” Monk said when asked what he was thinking after the injury. “I thought it was way worse than it was just like everybody else. Everybody thought it was my knee, but I’m just thankful it wasn’t as bad as everyone thought.”

Malik Monk was able to walk to the locker room after suffering an apparent lower leg injury pic.twitter.com/xpHmN2nOix

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 11, 2023

Leading into his injury, Monk was playing his best basketball of the season as the veteran guard held averages of 17.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 55 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range over his past seven appearances.

As Sacramento prepares for a furious sprint to the finish line, Monk and the Kings will need to continue to play winning basketball while attempting to hold off those beneath them in the packed Western Conference standings.

Be sure to get all of Thursday’s Kings vs. Trail Blazers coverage right here on Sactown Sports 1140 beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night with Scott Marsh and Henry ‘The High Flyer’ Turner.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule

Thursday, February 23rd – Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PST

Friday, February 24th – Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 PM PST

Sunday, February 26th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 4:00 PM PST

Tuesday, February 28th – Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:00 PM PST

Friday, March 3rd – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PST

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Frankie Cartoscelli is the Kings’ beat reporter for sactownsports.com. Follow Frankie on Twitter.

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