Malik Monk put out a statement game in the Sacramento Kings’ 124-112 home victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidate had 26 points, eight assists, and seven three-pointers on 9-for-15 shooting in 32 minutes off the bench.
Before this, Monk’s playing time had dwindled in favor of Keon Ellis and some of their youngsters. After the game, Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie praised Monk for being the consummate professional by staying ready.
“Everything about him has been top-notch. So, he deserves everything. He was the player of the game for us. The 26 points, as I told him, fantastic. It was the eight assists that was really impressive for me, actually, because he has the capabilities to do all those things,” Christie said of Monk via NBC Sports.
“Not surprising to me,” Westbrook told reporters. “Lik can hoop, can put the ball in the hole. Give (him) an opportunity, he’ll produce some shape or form. If it’s not scoring, generating off — he (does) good job of making the best play for somebody else as well, too. So, I never worry about Malik one bit.”
Sacramento Kings News: Malik Monk reflects on big night vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Sacramento Kings wouldn’t have beaten the Los Angeles Lakers last night without Malik Monk, who kept on working his game despite falling out of Doug Christie’s rotation while being named in numerous trade rumors.
“Shot was falling, man,” Monk said via Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. “My 3 was falling. That’s really about it. My 3 was falling, and I just stuck with it.”
“Just dealing what I was dealing with, coming in and not hanging my head, talking to my rooks right here that just came up, just trying to teach them the game and keep my mind off of the stuff I can’t control. So that’s how I just stay ready,” he added. “Kept getting shots up, staying with my work and playing the game like this, man. Playing the game like this. Happy about it.”
