Sources: Kings’ Monk (MCL) sidelined 4-6 weeks

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk — one of the frontrunners for NBA Sixth Man of the Year — has suffered a sprained right MCL and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, sources told ESPN on Saturday.

Monk, who was injured after Luka Doncic landed on his knee in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, will likely need the Kings to advance in the Western Conference playoffs to return this season.

The Kings entered Saturday’s games eighth in the West — ½ game behind No. 7 Phoenix — and are now without guards Kevin Huerter (shoulder surgery) and Monk for the final two weeks of the regular season and beyond.

The play-in tournament is set to kick off on April 16 with the first round beginning on April 20.

Monk has had his finest NBA season so far, averaging career-bests of 15.2 points, 5.2 assists and transforming himself into a strong leader for the Kings.

Monk leads the NBA in points (1,110) and assists (370) off the bench this season – something only Lou Williams (2018-2019) did for a full season since starters were first tracked in 1970-1971, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.