Ranking Malik Monk’s top five dunks this season
By Elaine Blum
![San Antonio Spurs v Sacramento Kings San Antonio Spurs v Sacramento Kings](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3600,h_2025,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/88/01hr4cy647nrax7f4s4f.jpg)
4. Monk goes coast to coast against the Denver Nuggets
Just two days after that embarrassing loss to the Detroit Pistons, the Kings convincingly beat the reigning champions. That difference perfectly sums up Sacramento’s season so far. They lost to bad teams and then beat some of the best squads in the league.
One of the few constants has been that Malik Monk leaves his mark on pretty much every game. Not only was he the Kings’ leading scorer in this win, but he also outplayed the Nuggets’ defense on this dunk.
get 🆙 'Lik! pic.twitter.com/GnBmjK9ITb
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 10, 2024
After Alex Len won the tip on one end of the floor, Monk took the ball, went coast to coast, and threw it down. No one was there to slow him down, partly because of Len’s screen on Payton Watson and partly because you just don’t want to be on the wrong end of that dunk.
What makes this one so impressive is the sheer distance Monk traveled. How many players can take the ball from one end of the floor to the other, turn into a one-man fast break, and throw it down to bring the arena to its feet?
3. The punch over Drew Eubanks
Right before Christmas, the Kings got their lone win over the top-heavy Phoenix Suns. The main story of the game was Domantas Sabonis. He led the team in points, rebounds, and assists in the 120-105 win.
Monk had a quiet game for his standard, but this dunk was anything but quiet.
NBA video: Watch this Malik Monk dunk pic.twitter.com/s3viLOncLB
— NBA Basketball - INSIDE HOOPS (@InsideHoops) December 23, 2023
Keon Ellis battled defensively, got the steal, led the fast break, and dropped the ball off for Monk, who punched it home over poor Drew Eubanks. This dunk obviously highlights Monk’s insane leaping ability, energy, and fearlessness but also shows what the Kings can do when they compete defensively.
Monk is the star of this clip, but it would not have been possible without Ellis’ defensive activity.