The Sacramento Kings face a double blow on Friday night. Apart from losing the game against the Dallas Mavericks, they also lost their trusted guard, Malik Monk, to a knee injury. During the first quarter of the game, the guard collided his knee with Mavs’ Luka Doncic. He was taken to the locker room and didn’t return for the rest of the game.

Monk had just entered the court, midway through quarter 1, when the collision happened. Luka Doncic ran up the lane for the bucket, which Monk was trying to contest. This is when their legs tangled, and Doncic fell onto the floor, with all of his body weight on Monk’s right leg.

Moments after the game, Shams Charania dropped a crucial update on the star’s injury. The NBA insider took to his X handle and revealed that the 26-year-old might have a sprained MCL in his right knee.

Everyone saw Malik walk off the court by himself and head straight to the locker room to get treated by the med staff. A few minutes later, the team announced that he wouldn’t be returning because of the knee injury.

The 26-year-old emerged as the favorite candidate for the 6th Man of the Year award this season with an impeccable average of nearly 16 points and 5 assists per game. He also played several crucial fourth-quarter performances to help the side cross the finish line. Above all, he has also dropped a spectacular game-winner against the Warriors. He has scored 290 points in the fourth quarter alone this season with 40% FG.

The Kings have currently dropped down to the 8th seed with a 42-31 record, trailing behind the Lakers. The Sac Town will have Monk’s absence felt as they have 9 crucial games left in the season. They have to make the most out of it to save themselves a place in the playoffs. The Kings might have to find a replacement to score 16 points per game until the star returns.

When will Malik Monk return?

Since the Kings’ medical team is yet to reveal if it’s a sprained MCL, it’s too early to predict the star’s return. In the case of an MCL sprain, the severity of the injury will determine the time for recovery. According to USF Health, a grade 1 MCL tear could take days to a week to return to the court. Meanwhile, it can take up to two to eight weeks if it’s severe.

The Kings’ management would expect the star to return before the post-season so that Monk can help them win games. Apart from Monk, the team can rest their faith on De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes, and Keegan Murray to get them above the 6th seed. Sabonis has had a break-out season, dominating near the paint. If he continues to amp up his performances in the games to come, Monk’s absence won’t be felt much.

Will the Kings escape the play-in contention? Let us know in the comments below.

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