NBA Notes: Kings, Malik Monk, Grizzlies, Christian Koloko, Celtics

Kings

Kings guard Malik Monk played Sunday. Briefly. And he’s still not sure why that was the case.

Monk made a short appearance in the second half of the win over Houston after sitting the previous two games. He played just under five minutes, made his only field goal, missed two free throws and finished with two points. It didn’t clear anything up.

“One thousand percent,” Monk told Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee when asked if he was confused by the demotion. “But it’s not my job to try to figure out why I’m not playing.”

Monk said he spoke privately with coach Doug Christie and heard the public explanation, too. It still didn’t add up.

“He just told me he’s trying something new,” Monk said.

Christie has called Monk the “odd man out” in what he describes as a numbers game in the backcourt. Monk’s role has shrunk, and so have his numbers, despite career-best three-point shooting. He’s under contract for years. That part won’t change quickly.

The minutes might. Or they might not.

Grizzlies

The Grizzlies made it official Sunday morning, signing Christian Koloko to a 10-day contract via the hardship exception.

Koloko, 25, has bounced around this season after beginning on a two-way deal with the Lakers. He was waived in November, landed briefly in the G League and now gets another NBA look with a team that needs bodies more than anything else.

Memphis qualifies for the hardship exception the hard way. Eight players are unavailable for Monday’s game at Oklahoma City.

Koloko hasn’t played much since his promising rookie season in Toronto, interrupted by a blood clot issue that sidelined him for all of 2023–24. He’s cleared now. And with the Grizzlies, that’s enough to get a call.

Celtics

Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez continues to make noise.

Gonzalez posted his first career double-double Saturday against Toronto and has quickly carved out a role on the wing. Coach Joe Mazzulla likes what he sees, even when it skirts the edge, via Brian Robb of MassLive.

“He’s finding the balance,” Mazzulla said, acknowledging Gonzalez’s aggressive style. “You don’t want to take that away.”

The fouls will come and go. The instincts don’t. And for a team always hunting the next contributor, that matters.