The Desperate Kings Have an Unsung Hero With G Keon Ellis
The Sacramento Kings were coming off back-to-back-to-back losses after losing All-Star G De'Aaron Fox to an ankle sprain, desperate for an answer to get back in the win column. After starting G Davion Mitchell in place of Fox in those three losses, HC Mike Brown knew a change needed to be made and decided to give two-way G Keon Ellis a shot to make a difference.
Since Ellis was placed in the starting lineup, the Kings are 2-0, with wins against a gritty Portland Trail Blazers team and an extremely talented Oklahoma City Thunder squad.
While Ellis has not significantly impacted the box score, he brings the necessary energy and defensive intensity missing when Fox went down.
After leading the team in steals (three) in his first career start, Ellis went on to lead the team in blocks (three) in his second career start on Friday night. After making just 16 appearances for Sacramento in his rookie year, Ellis earned a two-way contract for the 2023-24 season and is proving to be worth a standard contract.
Ellis, 23, was granted the task of guarding Oklahoma City's 2022-23 All-NBA First Team member G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While SGA still made an impact for the Thunder, Ellis made it a challenge for him.
Ellis has not only made a name for himself across the Kings' community but his impact will soon be noticed by the whole league. The 6'6" guard has catapulted himself into the Kings' lineup, and even when Fox returns, he should cement himself in a solid role.
Keep an eye out for the Kings' newest X Factor, as he might be the spark this team needs to go to the next level.
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