NBA Rumors: Kings' Malik Monk Expected to Miss 4-6 Weeks with Knee Injury

Sacramento Kings guard and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after suffering a sprained right MCL, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Monk suffered the injury while defending Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić as he drove to the hoop during the Kings' 107-103 home loss on Friday.

The news is a serious setback for the 42-31 Kings, who sit eighth in the Western Conference. Monk has been sensational in the sixth-man role and is arguably the top reserve in the league, averaging 15.4 points and 5.1 assists per game.

The injury occurred roughly a minute and a half after Monk entered the game in the first quarter. Without him, all the starters played heavy minutes, with all of them suiting up for 35 or more. Starting guard Keon Ellis, who typically sits some time for Monk, ended up playing 38 minutes, for example.

The four-to-six week timeline unfortunately creates the possibility that Monk misses the remainder of the season. At this time, Monk is looking at a return anywhere from late April to mid-May.

As of now, the Kings would be in the play-in tournament, which runs from April 16-19. The first round starts April 20, and the second round would begin anywhere from May 4-7.

Based on the timeline of the playoff schedule, at best, Monk could return sometime during the first round. At worst, a second-round return seems likely. Of course, the Kings have to keep winning just for Monk to come back this year.

Sacramento already got dealt a bad blow when Kevin Huerter was lost for the season after suffering a dislocated left shoulder and torn labrum following a collision with the Memphis Grizzlies' Desmond Bane on March 18.

In the meantime, the Kings could turn toward Davion Mitchell and Chris Duarte to soak up more minutes. Kessler Edwards, who played 11 second-half minutes, should be an option as well.