The Sacramento Kings are heading into Friday night still looking for their first win, and Malik Monk may be the difference between another rough night and a needed breakthrough.
Sacramento lost its 2026-27 opener to the L.A. Clippers, extending a skid that now sits at six straight when you include the winless five-game preseason. The Kings get another shot at home against the Portland Trail Blazers, who opened their season by rolling past the Phoenix Suns.
The biggest development on Sacramento’s injury report is Monk’s status. After sitting out all five preseason games and Wednesday’s opener, the 28-year-old guard has been upgraded to probable. Ben Simmons has been ruled out with right Achilles tendon repair/surgery, while Cardwell and Raynaud are also out.
That matters because Sacramento’s offense looked stuck in neutral in the opener, especially with the second unit. The Kings had trouble creating clean looks from deep, and Monk’s return would instantly help with that. The 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year runner-up can attack defenses at every level and bring real playmaking juice, which is exactly what this group lacked without him.
There’s also a simple roster reality here: when Monk sits, Sacramento does not have a true backup point guard. Nique Clifford handled that role on opening night, but getting Monk back would give the Kings a much cleaner path on offense and could quietly swing the game.
Portland enters with a much shorter injury list, with Shaedon Sharpe the only notable absence. The Blazers have also brought in a new look this season, led by the addition of Ja Morant. Their opener featured a starting five of Morant, Damian Lillard, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan, and that group looked sharp.
Sacramento will need a much cleaner, more complete effort to come away with a win. The matchup is not an easy one, but it is one the Kings should have a chance to steal at home. With a favorable early stretch on the schedule, they could use a win now before the road gets tougher.
The Kings and Blazers tip off in Sacramento at 7:00 p.m. PT on Friday.
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