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

5. The Kings host the Suns in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game

If the Kings cannot sneak into sixth place and have to fight their way through the Play-In Tournament, finishing the season in seventh place is definitely the best option. That way, Sacramento would have home-court advantage, and that can be worth a lot. The atmosphere at Golden 1 Center is always exceptional, especially in big games.

So far this season, the Kings have done similarly well at home (23-15) and on the road (21-16), but when facing the Suns and all their offensive firepower, every advantage can be of use. 

When the Suns’ big three is fully healthy, they are a difficult team to beat, but health is always a wildcard for them. There are still some games left in the regular season, and, while no one ever hopes for a player to get injured, there is no guarantee that they will make it to the postseason healthy. 

The most important part of finishing in seventh place is that you get a second chance, however. If the Kings play well and get big contributions from all the main guys, they can beat the Suns, but they also might just fall short. In that case, finishing in the top two playoff spots means another chance to secure the eighth seed. Considering their injury situation, the Kings need every kind of insurance they can get.