Malik Monk experienced an unexpected moment during the Sacramento Kings’ 123-117 triumph over the Golden State Warriors at the Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night. Late in the second quarter, Monk, known for his impressive athleticism, attempted a two-handed reverse dunk after picking up a steal. However, the play took a surprising turn when the ball managed to travel through the hoop, bounce off Monk’s head, and out the back, leaving him visibly stunned.
Commenting on this unusual miss, Mark Jones on ESPN remarked, “Sometimes when you use your head, it doesn’t quite work out.”
Despite this memorable blunder, Monk had a productive night, contributing 20 points and nine assists to the Kings’ victory. This season, he is averaging a career-high 17.6 points along with 3.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. Monk, a former lottery pick from the University of Kentucky, signed a significant four-year contract worth $77.9 million this offseason that keeps him with the Kings through 2027-28.
The game saw dramatic swings, with the Warriors initially holding a commanding 17-point lead at halftime. However, the Kings stormed back after the break, outscoring Golden State 37-20 in the third quarter and finishing strong with a 10-0 run in the final moments. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 32 points, while Domantas Sabonis added 26 points and 18 rebounds. For the Warriors, Andrew Wiggins was the highlight with 25 points, though the team drops to a 21-22 record with this loss.
While Monk may recall his unique dunk attempt for some time, the Kings’ success in securing the win undoubtedly makes up for it, a reminder of the thrilling unpredictability of sports.