Kings-Jazz Injury Report: Markkanen, Monk Status Revealed

The Kings host the Jazz for an Easter Day matchup.

December 16, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) is guarded by Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30). / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After dropping two straight games to the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings will attempt to get back on track to get out of the play-in tournament. After the two losses, the Kings sit in eighth place in the Western Conference, two games behind the sixth-place Mavericks.

To get back in the win column, the Kings will host the Utah Jazz on Sunday night but will have to do it shorthanded. In Friday's loss to Dallas, Sacramento's star sixth man Malik Monk suffered a sprained MCL. Sunday's matchup against the Jazz will be just the second time this season the Kings will play without Monk, the first being a 12-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in December.

The Jazz are eliminated from postseason contention, but they can still attempt to play road spoiler against a Kings squad fighting for playoff position. Both teams have released their Injury Reports ahead of Sunday's matchup:

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Sacramento Kings:

Kevin Huerter - OUT (shoulder)

Malik Monk - OUT (knee)

Trey Lyles - QUESTIONABLE (knee)

Sasha Vezenkov - QUESTIONABLE (ankle)

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Utah Jazz:

Jordan Clarkson - OUT (back)

John Collins - OUT (back)

Lauri Markkanen - OUT (shoulder)

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Utah is down three key players on Sunday, including star forward Lauri Markkanen. The Jazz have won just seven of 19 games without Markkanen this season, including four consecutive losses.

If Sacramento can get Trey Lyles and Sasha Vezenkov back in action well before the playoffs, the Kings will be in much better shape for their desired postseason run. With Kevin Huerter ruled out for the season and Monk sidelined for 4-6 weeks, the Kings need any added bench depth they can get.

The last time the Kings hosted the Jazz, Sacramento's Keegan Murray had a record-breaking 47-point performance, knocking down 12 threes. While the Kings should not struggle against a shorthanded Jazz squad, they have a tendency to play down to their inferior opponents.

The Kings and Jazz tip off at 6 PM PT.

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