Malik Monk showcased his scoring prowess with 12 crucial points in overtime, while Domantas Sabonis continued his double-double streak, leading the Sacramento Kings to a hard-fought 121-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
Sacramento coach Mike Brown commended Monk’s performance, stating, “Having a guy like Malik close the way he did was a lot of fun to watch.” Monk’s contributions, including six rebounds and six assists, proved pivotal as the Kings improved their overtime record to an impressive 5-1.
Reflecting on his performance, Monk remarked, “I feel like I was relaxing a little bit in the fourth quarter. I was just able to turn that around in overtime, and we got to win.”
Sabonis, with 25 points and 18 rebounds, notched his 50th consecutive double-double, while De’Aaron Fox added 23 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds for Sacramento.
In overtime, Monk spearheaded the Kings’ charge, scoring eight consecutive points and assisting on a dunk by Sabonis during a decisive 12-0 run that sealed the victory.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 25 points, supported by Desmond Bane’s 24 points and GG Jackson’s 22.
Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins praised his team’s effort, acknowledging the Kings’ clutch plays. He said, “That was a high-level basketball game. Our guys should be extremely proud.”
The Kings faced adversity early on when starting guard Kevin Huerter exited the game with a left shoulder injury just over a minute into the first quarter. The severity of Huerter’s injury remains uncertain.
Despite Memphis’s resilient efforts, Sacramento controlled the first half, leading 57-47 at halftime. However, Memphis rallied in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime. In a tense overtime period, tempers flared as Memphis’s Marcus Smart received two technical fouls on the bench and was ejected from the game.
Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard missed the game due to personal reasons, further challenging Memphis’s depth. The victory marks a significant win for the Kings, showcasing their resilience and depth in the face of adversity.
