Reports: Kings guard Malik Monk (knee) out 4 to 6 weeks

Multiple sources on Saturday stated that Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk would miss four to six weeks of action due to a damaged MCL in his right knee.

Monk, a strong contender for NBA Sixth Man of the Year, suffered injuries after he collided with Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic during the opening quarter of the Kings’ 107-103 defeat on Friday.

Monk will miss the remainder of the regular season due to the timing of the injury. For Monk to have another chance to play this season, Sacramento would probably need to get to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Right now, the Kings (42-31) sit two games behind the Mavericks for the final guaranteed postseason slot in the top six in the Western Conference, which is eighth place. Dallas recently defeated the Kings in Sacramento in a two-game series.

The Kings have suffered two significant injury setbacks in as many days. Due to an injury he suffered on March 18 against the Memphis Grizzlies, starting shooting guard Kevin Huerter will have surgery on his left shoulder that will finish the season.

In 72 games this season off the bench, Malik Monk, 26, is averaging career highs of 15.4 points and 5.1 assists. This is his second season with Sacramento. Despite shooting at a 35 percent clip from outside the arc, he has made 148 3-pointers.

Throughout his seven NBA seasons with the Charlotte Hornets (2017–21), Los Angeles Lakers (2021–22), and Kings, Monk has averaged 11.6 points and 2.8 assists. Over his career, he has scored 799 points.