Two games in a row with 140 points on the clock, unheard of in the history of the Kings in Sacramento. The Californians have just exploded the Spurs (140-113) then the Jazz (141-97) in quick succession to remind the entire league of their offensive strike force.
An attack recently boosted by the entry of Malik Monk in the team's starting five, something he had never experienced since his arrival in 2022. In their first 20 games, the Kings averaged 114 points with an average 33% 3-point success .
With the usual 6th man as starter for five games? The Kings boast the best offensive efficiency in the NBA with an average of 127 points per 100 possessions, not to mention a very good 41% 3-point success rate.
His impact logically does not go unnoticed by his teammates. For De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk brings ” another creator and a guy who can really go to the circle. Ultimately, this makes your offense much better, from start to finish of the match. »
“ He's a great leader. He shows it. The vibrations are very good. Everyone is happy and the ball is moving. I feel like it's contagious and it starts with him “, note Domantas Saboniswhose teammate averages nearly 20 points in this sequence (47% including 43% from distance) and 6 assists.
Kevin Huerter sees it well
“ Everyone on the team can pass, dribble or shoot. When you have that, as long as you have guys that are willing to run the ball and do it well, you're going to get results like we did tonight, especially in the assist column. », notes Mike Brown after the match against Utah.
That evening, the Kings had generated 39 assists for only 8 lost balls. A double record for the Kings this season. “Victim” of this change in hierarchy, Kevin Huerter has had an average start to the season, embodied by his 32% 3-point success rate. A little weak for a shooting specialist…
But this role reversal does not seem to bother him. “ That's a good thing. It's consistent. Right now, I know when I come in, when I come out. There are a lot of different groups I play with, but so far I've played 12 minutes straight during both halves. So far so good », notes the rear.
“ For me, it's not about being a starter or not. When I'm on the court, I can help this team by playing the way I think I can. We see matches like tonight's and we must continue to build on this foundation », he displays after his best performance of the year, against Jazz, with 26 points (10/14 on shots including 6/9 from distance).
| 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 | 18 | 28 | 46.6 | 38.4 | 84.0 | 0.2 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 16.3 |
| Total | 476 | 22 | 43.4 | 35.6 | 84.4 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 11.8 | |
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.
