The Sacramento Kings are doing everything they can to secure the final automatic playoff berth, but they face a tough challenge after Malik Monk was diagnosed to miss more than a month of game time due to an MCL sprain.
While the Utah Jazz aren’t the most challenging team in the West, the Kings needed to win every game until the end of the season to increase their chances of playoff success. This pressure had some fans worried about the state of the team as they prepared to finish the remaining games of the season.
Fortunately for the Kings, it seems like things worked out as Mike Brown’s experimental line-up of bringing an established vet and a promising prospect together with their star duo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis worked better than expected.
Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes step up to help Sacramento Kings win vs Utah Jazz
To make up for the 15.4 points a game the upcoming free agent was providing for the Kings, Brown had to rely on Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes to pick up the pace.
Thankfully, it seemed like the experiment worked as the players thrived alongside Fox and Sabonis. Murray was the most eye-catching player during the Kings’ 127-106 triumph over the Jazz. He played for 35 minutes and enjoyed a solid night with his 25 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Barnes also showed a bit of his vintage Golden State Warriors form with his 24 points, two boards, and two dimes. Fox rounded up the night with his 24 points, six rebounds, and 12 assists. Sabonis chipped in with 17 points, 11 boards, and six dimes.
The Kings must step up in Monk’s absence
Credit: Getty Images
While the Kings were impressive against the Jazz, the rest of the roster must step up as the 2023-24 NBA season reaches its final two weeks. They have a tough schedule ahead, with the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, and Oklahoma City Thunder being the most notable.
Elaine Baum of A Royal Pain noted that Murray, a second-year player out of Iowa, must step up in Monk’s place. However, it takes a team effort to steal the final automatic playoff berth from the New Orleans Pelicans.
If the Sacramento Kings continue playing the way they did against Utah, it won’t be strange to see them reach the first round unscathed.
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