Kings’ offense surging with Monk in starting lineup. Huerter speaks on new backup role
Kings coach Mike Brown’s reluctant decision to move Malik Monk into the starting lineup represented a major change for Sacramento’s offense, Kevin Huerter’s role and the team’s rotation.
The early returns have been encouraging with impressive surges in scoring and 3-point shooting, but time will tell how well the Kings hold up in terms of defense and depth.
Over the first 20 games, the Kings averaged 113.7 points and 24.5 assists while shooting 33% from 3-point range. In five games since Monk became a starter, they are No. 1 in the NBA in scoring at 127.2 points per game. They are No. 1 in offensive rating (126.9), No. 4 in field-goal percentage (.502) and No. 7 in 3-point shooting (.411).
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox and center Domantas Sabonis have both spoken favorably of Monk’s move to the starting lineup, saying he makes Sacramento’s offense even more dynamic.
“He adds another playmaker and another guy who can really get downhill,” Fox said. “Ultimately, that makes your offense a lot better, especially from the start of the game to the end.”
Sabonis offered a similar assessment after practice Tuesday when asked about Monk’s new role as a starter.
“It’s about time,” Sabonis said. “I’m happy and he’s thriving. He’s a great leader. He’s showing it. The vibes are great. Everyone’s happy and the ball is moving. I feel like it’s contagious and it starts with him.”
The Kings (12-13) have won two in a row and three of their last four going into Thursday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans (5-20) have lost 11 of 12 while dealing with injuries to former All-Stars Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Dejounte Murray, who have yet to play a game together this season.
The Kings have posted back-to-back 140-point games for the first time in the Sacramento era. They beat the San Antonio Spurs 140-113 on Friday and the Utah Jazz 141-97 on Sunday.
“Everybody in the lineup can pass, dribble or shoot,” Brown said after the Kings recorded 39 assists with only eight turnovers in the win over Utah. “When you have that, as long as you have guys that are willing to move the basketball and move the basketball the right way, you’re going to have results like we did tonight, especially in the assist column.”
Monk has averaged 19.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists as a starter while shooting 47.1% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range, up from his season averages of 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
Huerter has averaged 15.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 57.5% from the field and 50% from 3-point range. On the season, he is averaging 10.0 points on 44.3% shooting from the field while hitting a career-low 32.3% from 3-point range.
Huerter has started 149 of 161 games for the Kings since coming to Sacramento in the summer of 2022, but he seems to be embracing his new role as the team’s top reserve.
“It’s been good,” Huerter said. “It’s been consistent. Right now, I know when I’m going into the game. I know when I’m coming out of the game, and there’s a lot of different groups I’m playing with over the course of that, but so far in the last four games, it’s been 12 straight minutes both halves.
So far so good. For me, it wasn’t about starting or not starting. I think when I’m on the court I can help this team when I play how I think I’m capable of playing. You see games like tonight and you just have to continue to build on it.”
This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
