The Sacramento Kings announced Saturday that Malik Monk will miss at least four week after suffering a sprained right MCL. Earlier in the day, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had reported the timeline as 4-6 weeks.
From the Kings:
Kings guard Malik Monk injured his right knee during the first quarter versus the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, March 29. Imaging confirmed Monk suffered an MCL sprain. Monk will be listed as out and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Monk expressed his disappointment via Twitter:
🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️😒
— Malik Monk (@AhmadMonk) March 30, 2024
This is a devastating blow to the Kings, who are currently fighting for their playoff lives. The Kings are currently the 8th seed in the West, and it’s looking less and less likely that the Kings will avoid the play-in. Without Monk, their third-best player and a top contender for 6th Man of the Year, it’s hard to have a lot of optimism right now.
The timeline of the injury essentially rules Monk out for the year unless the Kings manage a miraculous postseason run. Monk also enters unrestricted free agency this summer. Hopefully our last image of Monk in a Kings uniform isn’t Luka Doncic landing on Monk’s leg. And although Monk has appeared in 72 games this season and absolutely deserves the 6th Man of the Year award, I’m worried this injury and recency bias will rob him of his award and recognition.
This really is just a shitty situation all around. There’s really not much else to say other than get well soon, Malik.
