Malik Monk update: Kings guard not expected to stay absent for extended period after abruptly leaving preseason game

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk left the preseason game early against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday and didn't return. However, he's not expected to be out for an extended period.

The eight-year NBA veteran was subbed out in the second quarter against the Warriors at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. He went straight to the locker room and was ruled done for the game.

According to The Sacramento Bee writer Jason Anderson, Malik Monk abruptly left the game for personal reasons, writing on X, formerly Twitter:

"According to a league source, Kings guard Malik Monk left tonight's preseason game against the Waariors due to personal reasons. He is not injured and is not expected to be away from the team for an extended period of time."

Malik Monk played 10 minutes against the Warriors, scoring 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. He's entering his third season with the Kings off a banner year, averaging career-highs of 15.4 points and 5.1 assists and finished second in the voting for Sixth Man of the Year.

The Kings lost to the Warriors, 122-112. They play each other once again on Friday but this time in Golden State's home turf.

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Malik Monk feels comfortable playing with Sacramento Kings, signs extension

Malik Monk has seemingly found a home with the Sacramento Kings, signing an extension in the offseason.

The 26-year-old former Kentucky player agreed a four-year, $78-million contract in July to remain in the Califonia capital, where he landed in the 2022-23 season and has been a key piece in the rotation off the bench.

Monk spoke about his decision to stay in Sactown, highlighting how it felt like home for him, allowing him to grow as a player. He said(via CBS News):

"I go everywhere and feel comfortable, and that's a home I feel like. So I'm back.

"They (Kings) did everything they was supposed to do. I didn't feel like it was aggressive or anything like that. I just feel like that was their job, and they made sure that I was one of the main focuses."

In two seasons with the Kings, Monk has averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 149 games. He had a stellar run last season, posting career-highs of 15.4 points and 5.1 assists for the Kings (46-36) to finish second in the Sixth Man of the Year voting.

Before joining the Kings, Monk spent his first four years with the Charlotte Hornets, who had selected him 11th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. He then played one year for the LA Lakers.