Kings Monk Could Miss Opening Night Against Clippers

Malik Monk missed all of preseason with left ankle soreness, and his availability on opening night against the Los Angeles Clippers is in jeopardy.

James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reported that Monk has been working with the Sacramento Kings medical team to return to game action. How his ankle responds over the next several days will determine if he plays.

The Kings felt his absence throughout preseason. They shot fewer than 35% from three in all five games, including shooting 17% in their opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 5.

Rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. led the team, shooting 42.1%. He was the only King to shoot over 35% (minimum 10 attempts).

Even Zach LaVine, who shot 39% last season, struggled in preseason. LaVine went 2-for-11 from beyond the arc, upping his aggression in the final two games against the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.

Monk adds another ball-handler and floor spacer in a free-flowing offense. He and Domantas Sabonis have strong chemistry running the dribble handoff action together.

The 28-year-old said the action is hard to guard because he doesn't start with a live dribble. Defenses can't force him in a specific direction, giving him the freedom to dictate what they do.

He can rise for a three, drive downhill for an acrobatic finish or find a trailing Sabonis. Monk is a huge part of Sacramento's offense, and his absence stifles what the team can do.

Coach Doug Christie is starting three of his best offensive creators: Acuff, LaVine and Ben Simmons. Sacramento's bench has little scoring without Monk, putting pressure on Christie to stagger the starting trio with precision.

Christie has a lot on his plate this season. He has to balance prioritizing veterans to win games and developing rookies to establish a strong foundation for the future.

Monk is part of the veteran group who can power the Kings to late-game victories. He scored 26 points on 7-for-9 shooting from three in a 124-112 win over the Lakers on Jan. 12.

Sacramento needs his microwave scoring off the bench, especially with injuries piling up before the regular season. Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell are missing next Wednesday's season opener.

It's concerning that his ankle soreness has kept the 28-year-old out of preseason and is affecting his opening-night availability. Monk has been relatively healthy in Sacramento, playing 65-plus games in three of his four seasons with the franchise.

He played 62 games last season, barely missing the threshold for NBA awards.