Malik Monk has been ruled out of Wednesday's season opener at the Clippers with a left ankle injury, after being listed as day-to-day. The Kings start the 2026-27 season without one of last season's top scorers off the bench, with an expected return date of Oct. 23.
What happened
Malik Monk will not play Wednesday at the Clippers. The injury report moved him to Out at 9:48 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 21, with a left ankle injury. He had been listed as day-to-day. The report's comment reads: "Monk (ankle) won't play Wednesday versus the Clippers." The ankle issue first showed up on Friday, Oct. 16, when he was listed as day-to-day. On Oct. 5 he was day-to-day for rest. The 28-year-old guard now misses the opener.
What it means for the Kings
The Kings open the 2026-27 season at the Clippers on Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET, so there is no record with or without Monk yet. Last season he played 62 games and averaged 12.5 points, 3.0 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 22.0 minutes. In games without him, Zach LaVine averaged 19.2 points in 31.4 minutes, DeMar DeRozan 18.4 in 31.2 and Russell Westbrook 15.2 in 28.9. Dennis Schroder (26.4 minutes, 12.8 points) and Daeqwon Plowden (26.4 minutes, 10.8 points) also took on minutes. Maxime Raynaud, who played 26.5 minutes in those games, is out with a right knee injury.
What to watch
Monk's expected return date is Friday, Oct. 23. The next injury report will show whether he is on track for that date. Sacramento is also without Ben Simmons (Achilles), Maxime Raynaud (right knee) and Dylan Cardwell (left calf), all listed as out. Watch how the Kings split Monk's 22 minutes among LaVine, Westbrook and Schroder in the opener.
Is Malik Monk playing tonight against the Clippers?
No. Monk is out for Wednesday's game at the Clippers with a left ankle injury.
When will Malik Monk be back?
His expected return date is Oct. 23. Check the next injury report to see whether he is cleared.