The Sacramento Kings lost another key player to an injury for the rest of the regular season with star sixth man Malik Monk out at least four weeks with a knee injury.
The Kings said Saturday that Monk has a sprained MCL in his right knee and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Monk got hurt early in a 107-103 loss to Dallas on Friday.
Sacramento entered the day in eighth place in the Western Conference and is trying to make it to the top six and avoid the play-in tournament. The play-in tournament starts on April 16 and the first round on April 20.
The Kings are already without guard Kevin Huerter, who will likely miss the rest of the season with a left shoulder injury.
Monk is the favorite to win the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, averaging 15.4 points and 5.1 assists while coming off the bench every game. Monk leads all players in the NBA in points (1,110) and assists (370) off the bench.
Huerter will undergo left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum that he sustained on March 18 after taking contact from Memphis’ Desmond Bane on a drive to the basket. He dislocated his left shoulder on the play and had missed the last five games.
The 25-year-old has been averaging 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season, and has started 59 games.
Coach Mike Brown left open the possibility that Huerter might return in time if the Kings make a deep playoff run, and said Huerter will remain around the team and stay engaged.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) lands on Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0), injuring Monk's right knee during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, March 29, 2024. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Max Muncy had the first three home run game of his career along with four RBIs, Shohei Ohtani had three hits and became the franchise leader for most home runs by a Japanese-born player and the Los Angeles Dodgers rolled to an 11-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night.
“Tonight was a cool night for me all around,” said Muncy, who had four hits. “We got the series win, which is more important to me than anything. (Tyler) Glasnow was amazing tonight. A lot of quality at-bats up and down the lineup. It was fun to watch.”
Freddie Freeman also had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won four of five. Rookie Andy Pages also went deep as Los Angeles had five homers.
Glasnow (6-1) struck out 10 and became the second pitcher in the majors to reach six wins. The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits as he went at least seven innings for the third time this season.
“He continues to pick us up and be that top end guy we expect him to be,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He attacked the zone and was efficient all night. To get through that seventh inning was huge.”
Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. had three hits. Ozzie Albies had a 15-game hitting streak snapped as the Braves lost for the fourth time in five games. Austin Riley and Orlando Arcia had RBIs.
Muncy’s two-run shot in the the second off Bryce Elder (1-1) after Will Smith drew a leadoff walk snapped an 0-for-9 skid at the plate. The third baseman added solo shots in the seventh and eighth innings to become the first Dodgers’ player since Trayce Thompson on April 1, 2023, to have a three-homer game.
“I've hit two plenty of times but when you're up there the last at-bat, the third one is always in your head,” Muncy said.
Ohtani, sixth in the majors with a .345 batting average, led off the third with a drive into the right-center stands to make it 3-0. It was Ohtani’s eighth of the season and surpassed his manager for most homers by a Japanese-born player.
“Relieved,” Ohtani said with a smile about surpassing the mark.
Ohtani's RBI single was part of a four-run fourth and chased Elder, who allowed seven runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.
“Probably just location for the most part, he wasn’t getting ahead and too many walks. He wasn’t real sharp,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Elder. “We had been pitching well. Our starters had been going deep. You get into those ruts and it’s a powerful team we’re facing.”
Mookie Betts added a two-run single in the seventh as Albies was unable to snag the bloop hit into right field.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: RHP Pierce Johnson was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 1, with right elbow inflammation. RHP Jackson Stephens was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett and LHP Angel Perdomo was transferred to the 60-day IL.
Dodgers: Roberts said RHP Blake Treinen (bruised lung) is on track to be activated on Sunday.
UP NEXT
The series concludes Sunday with a matchup of lefties. Max Fried (2-0, 4.02 ERA) goes for Atlanta while Los Angeles counters with James Paxton (3-0, 3.51 ERA).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy (13) celebrates with Mookie Betts, right, after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, left, does not catch a fly ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson is at right. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy celebrates with Mookie Betts (50) after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) walks with his interpreter, Will Ireton, after a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy runs the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Pink, left, greets Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after throwing out the first pitch before a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) is greeted by Matt Olson, right, after scoring off of a single hit by Austin Riley during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, right, is out at second with a tag by Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy (13) celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
