Monk amassed 25 points (9-19 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and one steal in 34 minutes during Monday's 130-129 loss to the Nuggets.
Monk has scored at least 20 points in three of his last five starts, but he's been making a difference due to his contributions in other categories. He's showing he's not just a one-dimensional scorer, posting a season-high mark in blocks and dishing out double-digit dimes for the second time in 2024-25. Monk has experienced an uptick in value, and the numbers back him up. He's averaging 18.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and a combined 1.4 steals-plus-blocks in seven starts this season.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Shooting woes in win Thursday
Rotowire
Monk registered five points (2-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt), nine assists, four rebounds, one block and one steal over 34 minutes during Thursday's 111-109 win over New Orleans.
Monk struggled to find his rhythm from the field Thursday as he tied his season-low mark in scoring. Despite shooting woes, the guard still racked up a team-high nine assists. The 26-year-old has successfully made the jump to the starting five, and in his last six outings, he has averaged 17.0 points, 6.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 40.4 percent from deep across 33.2 minutes per game.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Scores 23 points Thursday
Rotowire
Monk had 23 points (7-16 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 5-5 FT), one rebound and five assists over 32 minutes during Thursday's 115-110 loss to Memphis.
Monk continues to produce in a starting role for the Kings, and there's no question Sacramento is riding his hot hand. This was his fifth straight game with at least 15 points, scoring over 20 thrice while shooting an impressive 51.9 percent from the field in that span. Monk's numbers are likely to regress at some point, particularly in the efficiency department. Still, he's been showing he's worth rostering in most formats, especially now that he holds a starting role.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Racks up double-double in win
Rotowire
Monk ended with 17 points (5-10 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, 12 assists and one steal in 35 minutes during Tuesday's 120-111 victory over the Rockets.
The Kings once again opted to start Monk over Keon Ellis, who has struggled to stay consistent. Monk has responded with two excellent games, and although Kevin Huerter is back in action, Monk will remain the starting shooting guard, per coach Mike Brown. Monk has been the first man off the bench for the Kings frequently over his three-year tenure with the team, and he's invaluable as an offensive spark. He may return to that role eventually, but he is currently strutting his stuff as a starter.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Scores 19 points in starting role
Rotowire
Monk racked up 19 points (7-14 FG, 5-10 3Pt), seven rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal over 37 minutes during Sunday's 127-125 loss to San Antonio.
For the first time in his two-plus seasons in Sacramento, Monk moved into the starting five Sunday. After Monk delivered an efficient scoring performance while serving as a strong tertiary playmaker behind De'Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, head coach Mike Brown said after the contest that the 26-year-old would remain a member of the top unit moving forward, per James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento. Monk missed seven games over a two-week stretch in November due to a right ankle sprain, but he's been on a tear since returning to the hardwood last Monday. He's averaging 22.3 points, 6.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 three-pointers, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals in 33.5 minutes while shooting 50.8 percent from the field.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Gets start Sunday
Rotowire
Monk will enter the starting lineup in Sunday's game against the Spurs, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
Keon Ellis will slide to the bench and Monk will make his first start as a member of the Kings. In his last three games since returning from an ankle injury, the Sixth Man of the Year candidate has averaged 23.3 points, 7.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks across 32.3 minutes per game.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Huge night from long range
Rotowire
Monk contributed a game-high 29 points (10-21 FG, 8-15 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, nine assists and two blocks across 36 minutes off the bench during Friday's 115-106 loss to the Trail Blazers.
The eight made threes weren't just a season high for Monk -- his best previous performance was only three treys. The 26-year-old guard has been on fire since returning from a seven-game absence due to an ankle injury, and over the last three contests he's averaging 23.3 points, 7.0 assists, 4.3 threes, 4.0 boards and 1.0 blocks in 32.3 minutes a game.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Season-best effort in win
Rotowire
Monk accumulated 27 points (11-16 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), eight rebounds, nine assists and one steal across 35 minutes during Wednesday's 115-104 victory over Minnesota.
Monk erupted with a season-high 27 points off the bench for the Kings on Wednesday, teasing a triple-double in the process. It was just his second game back following a seven-game absence due to an ankle injury, but Monk has created a reputation in recent years for being able to heat up in a hurry. With DeMar DeRozan still nursing a back issue, Monk is worth a look on all fantasy waiver wires with a short-term boost in value while the star wing is off the court. Following Wednesday's outburst, Monk is up to 13.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 three-pointers and 0.9 steals in 25.9 minutes per game through 12 games as Sacramento's sixth man in 2024-25.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Delivers 14 points in return
Rotowire
Monk (ankle) tallied 14 points (4-12 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 4-6 FT), three assists, one rebound, one steal and one block across 26 minutes off the bench in Monday's 130-109 loss to the Thunder.
Monk had missed the previous seven games with a right ankle sprain, but he didn't face any restrictions in his return to action, with his 26 minutes essentially matching his season-long average (25.1 per game). The Kings moved Kevin Huerter to the bench and cut down his playing time to 10 minutes to accommodate Monk, who should continue to operate as Sacramento's sixth man. Look for Monk to deliver most of his fantasy value in the points, three-pointers, assists and free-throw percentage categories, with the defensive numbers he offered Monday representing more of an outlier.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Returning to action Monday
Rotowire
Monk (ankle) is listed as available for Monday's game against the Thunder, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Monk will snap a seven-game absence streak due to a right ankle sprain. According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, the 26-year-old guard will not operate under a minutes restriction, and his return should provide a boost to Sacramento's second unit.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Expected to play Monday
Rotowire
Monk (ankle) is officially listed as questionable but is expected to play Monday against the Thunder, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
Monk has missed the past seven games, so his return would provide a big boost to the team's second unit. According to Haynes, Monk will go through warmups with the intention of playing, so he should be formally cleared to play at some point shortly before the game's 10 p.m. ET tipoff. With Monk expected back, starting shooting guard Kevin Huerter could see his minutes take a hit.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Won't play vs. Brooklyn
Rotowire
Monk (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nets, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Monk's availability for Sunday's game upgraded from doubtful to questionable, but he will ultimately be sidelined for a seventh straight game due to a right ankle sprain. Monk's next chance to play will be Monday against the Thunder.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Now questionable vs. Nets
Rotowire
Monk (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday's game against the Nets.
Monk's status for Sunday's game has been upgraded twice since initially being ruled out. Even if he isn't able to play, it appears the eighth-year guard is close to returning from a prolonged absence due to a right ankle sprain.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Upgraded to doubtful
Rotowire
Monk (ankle) has been upgraded from out to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Nets.
Monk was initially listed as out, which would've marked his seventh straight absence. While he'll likely still be sidelined Sunday, Monk's upgrade to doubtful can still be viewed as a positive. Sunday's game is the first half of a back-to-back set, but Monk's status for Monday's game against the Thunder likely won't be released until Monday afternoon.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Partial practice participant
Rotowire
Monk (ankle) participated in the non-contact portions of Thursday's practice, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
Monk has missed Sacramento's last five contests due to a right ankle sprain. While the 26-year-old has yet to participate in a full-contact practice, his presence is a good sign regardless. Still, Monk is expected to remain sidelined for Friday's game in Los Angeles against the Clippers, and perhaps both ends of the Kings' Sunday/Monday back-to-back set versus the Nets and Thunder, respectively.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Cleared for individual work
Rotowire
Monk (ankle) has been cleared to participate in individual on-court workouts, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Monk has been sidelined for the Kings' last four games after spraining his right ankle against the Suns on Nov. 10. He'll progress to individual workouts, and his next step will be to return to team drills and 5-on-5 work. In the nine games prior to his injury, Monk had averaged 13.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists over 26.9 minutes per game.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Slated to miss at least two weeks
Rotowire
Monk was diagnosed with a moderate right ankle sprain Monday and will be sidelined for at least two weeks, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.
Monk suffered the injury during Sunday's overtime win over the Suns in the first half and didn't return, finishing with four points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal in seven minutes. With Monk sidelined for a couple of weeks, Kevin Huerter, Keon Ellis, Doug McDermott and Jordan McLaughlin are candidates for increased roles.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Monk has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Suns with a right ankle injury, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports. He'll finish the game with four points (1-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in seven minutes.
Monk limped off the court to the locker room early in the second quarter after tweaking his right ankle. Given the Kings' quick announcement that he won't return, Monk seems likely to miss the second leg of a back-to-back set Monday versus the Spurs. Keon Ellis and Doug McDermott could see increased minutes off the bench in Monk's absence.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Heads to locker room Sunday
Rotowire
Monk went back to the locker room after suffering an apparent ankle injury during Sunday's game against the Suns, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Monk appeared to suffer an ankle injury while running around a screen before exiting the game for the locker room. If he is unable to return, Keon Ellis and Doug McDermott could see extra run.
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Kings' Malik Monk: Leaves game with ankle injury
Rotowire
Monk (ankle) went to the locker room during the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Suns, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.
Monk appeared to turn his right ankle on Mason Plumlee's foot, and the former headed back to the locker room following the injury. If Monk is unable to return to Sunday's game, Keon Ellis and Doug McDermott would figure to see more minutes off the bench.
