6 Best-case scenarios for the Kings after Malik Monk injury 

Losing Kevin Huerter to a season-ending injury was a big blow, no matter how much he has struggled all season long. Hearing that Malik Monk would miss four to six weeks with an MCL injury was even worse news. With Keon Ellis and Davion Mitchell playing much better, the Kings could survive Huerter’s absence. Making up for both of them being out at the same time, is much more difficult. 

The season is not over yet, however, and the Kings still have a chance to defy the odds. After all, they just got a huge win over the Clippers. So, let’s talk about something a little more positive than the Kings’ dwindling playoff chances and look at six best-case scenarios for the Kings after Monk’s injury. 

6. The Kings get to sixth and face the Thunder or the Timberwolves in the first round

After a big win over the Clippers, the Kings are currently in seventh place in the West, just one game behind the Mavericks and Pelicans in fifth and sixth. Sacramento’s schedule from here on out is not easy with games against the Knicks and the Celtics coming up, but there is still a chance that they sneak past the Pelicans into sixth place. 

That would be amazing because no one wants to battle through a Play-In Tournament featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Stephen Curry. All these stars are desperate to make the playoffs, and the Kings do not want to be the team standing in their way. 

Plus, getting to sixth would most likely mean facing either the Thunder or the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. Both are great teams with star power and good defenders, but they are also two of the least experienced teams in the playoff picture. Especially the Thunder have little to no playoff experience and are incredibly young. 

Facing either team in the playoffs would be a challenge, but the Kings would rather face a young Thunder team or a Timberwolves squad struggling with late-game execution than the Nuggets, Clippers, or Mavericks.