April 10, 2022. It was the date of Malik Monk's last start in the NBA. Since this last match of the 2021/22 regular season, with the Lakers, the rear had played 162 games (all in Sacramento) in a substitute role. We're talking in the past tense since, Sunday evening against the Spurs, he was on the floor during the jump ball!
It was neither a coincidence nor an exceptional situation, confirms Mike Brown. “Malik Monk will start. Will I change this one day? Maybe, I don't know.”, explains the Kings coach. “Given our collective results, which are not good, I had the feeling that we had to shake things up. »
Hit in the ankle, therefore absent for this part, Kevin Huerter would not have started, confirmed the Sacramento technician. His decision was made, regardless of the strength at hand. For the main person concerned, it is necessarily a pleasant moment, even if the Kings lost to Victor Wembanyama and his gang.
A pleasure for the player, a hope for the coach
“I definitely would have liked to win, but I'm grateful to have my first start here. It took three seasons, but I'm here now and I hope it continues. But yes, it’s a mixed feeling”says Malik Monk, who finished with 19 points in 35 minutes against the Spurs.
If he never hesitated to come off the bench, and he was one of the best sixth men in the league, the fullback will obviously appreciate starting games in the major five for a while. “I’m happy it’s finally happening, that’s for sure.”confirms the former Charlotte.
For his part, Mike Brown is hopeful that this will allow his team to stop skating. The Californians remain on six defeats in seven matches…
“I will give it time and I hope we will find solutions to overcome this obstacle”concludes the coach of a Sacramento team that has been struggling this season (9 wins in 21 matches).
| Malik Monk | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | CHA | 63 | 14 | 36.0 | 34.2 | 84.2 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 6.7 |
| 2018-19 | CHA | 73 | 17 | 38.7 | 33.0 | 88.2 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 8.9 |
| 2019-20 | CHA | 55 | 21 | 43.4 | 28.4 | 82.0 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 10.3 |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 42 | 21 | 43.4 | 40.1 | 81.9 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 11.7 |
| 2021-22 | LAL | 76 | 28 | 47.3 | 39.1 | 79.5 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 13.8 |
| 2022-23 | BAG | 77 | 22 | 44.8 | 35.9 | 88.9 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 13.5 |
| 2023-24 | BAG | 72 | 26 | 44.3 | 35.0 | 82.9 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 15.4 |
| 2024-25 | BAG | 13 | 27 | 46.4 | 35.7 | 80.6 | 0.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 15.1 |
| Total | 471 | 22 | 43.4 | 35.5 | 84.3 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 11.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
