Malik Monk is entering new territory in his Sacramento tenure.

He averaged career-highs in minutes played per game (31.6) and games started (45) last season for the Kings, but this season, however, has proved to be different.

Monk did not see the court in the two previous games before playing just under five minutes Sunday night in the Kings’ 125-124 overtime win over the Houston Rockets. 

In an interview with The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson before Sunday’s win, Monk said he was “one thousand percent” confused about his benching. 

“[Kings coach Doug Christie] just told me he’s trying something new,” Monk said to The Sac Bee. “That’s basically it, and I said, ‘Yeah, OK, I’ll be ready whenever my name is called.’” 

In his pregame press conference, Christie said it has been challenging to find playing time for certain players. 

“You can’t play everybody. It’s just the nature of what it is,” Christie said. “This isn’t participation. It’s professional sports, and right now we have a logjam, but everyone is in play.”  

“If someone isn’t playing great, there’s a really good chance someone else is going to play. If someone isn’t playing to our standard of competitiveness, of all the different things that we value, then obviously there’s a strong possibility that they’re going to come out of the game.” 

Monk is averaging 12.5 points per game this season, his lowest scoring average since his first season with the team in the 2022-23 NBA season.  

He scored 16 points on an inefficient 3-of-9 shooting performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 14 before being benched the following two games. 

“It’s not my job to try to figure out why I’m not playing because I deem myself more than the whole, so I’ll just be ready when my name is called,” Monk said. 

Despite Monk seeming nonchalant, he was very adamant in his interview that he still wants to make a difference for the Kings. 

“I’ve been in the league long enough where I don’t let this stuff get to me,” Monk said. “Everybody knows I want to be out there, especially playing in front of this crowd in Sac, but there ain’t s–t I can do about it.” 

Monk was subbed in to Sunday night’s game in the third quarter. He scored just two points on one layup.

As the Kings grapple with finding their identity, Monk could see a fluctuating role in the near future. 

But, with his proven scoring ability, it would be surprising to see him limited for too much longer. 

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