Western Conference Roundup: Monk Benched, Brooks’ Technical Overturned, Jokic Sets Assist Mark, More
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Kings bench Malik Monk to expand Keon Ellis’ role
Sacramento guard Malik Monk did not play in Thursday’s 134-133 overtime loss at Portland, ending a streak of appearances that dated back to the 2022/23 season. Head coach Doug Christie said he opted for a defense-first backcourt, giving Keon Ellis extended minutes.
“We were going with defense, but it’s a logjam,” Christie told reporters, according to The Sacramento Bee. “Tonight we were playing Keon, so Malik was out.”
Sacramento, now 6-21, is searching for lineup answers. Ellis logged a season-high 32 minutes and was part of the unit that helped the Kings rally in the third quarter. Christie stressed that the change is experimental and “nothing is permanent.”
NBA rescinds Dillon Brooks’ technical foul
The league nullified a second-quarter technical assessed to Suns forward Dillon Brooks during Thursday’s matchup with Golden State. Video showed Brooks saying something after converting a layup and stumbling to the floor. Despite the reversal, he still leads the NBA with eight technical fouls this season.
Nuggets face limited flexibility at trade deadline
Denver sits near the luxury-tax threshold, holds few movable draft assets, and lacks a mid-level contract for easy salary matching, limiting its ability to make significant deals, the Denver Post reported. Forward Zeke Nnaji, earning $8.2 million this season with two years remaining, is viewed as the most expendable but could carry negative value in trade talks.
Jokic passes Kareem for most assists by a center
Nikola Jokic surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Thursday to become the NBA’s all-time assist leader among centers. Abdul-Jabbar recorded 5,660 assists over 20 seasons; Jokic reached the mark in his 11th year at age 30. “Passing Kareem in anything is pretty cool,” teammate Jamal Murray said. “It just speaks to his greatness and how unselfish he is.”
Thunder rookie Ajay Mitchell reflects on championship and injury
Oklahoma City wing Ajay Mitchell told ClutchPoints that winning a title in his first season and overcoming last year’s three-month toe injury reshaped his perspective. “It made me realize how special being a part of this organization truly is,” he said, noting that general manager Sam Presti supported him throughout the recovery.
Source: Hoops Rumors
