Lakers vs Kings: Malik Monk kicks Russell Westbrook out of LA’s “Big 3”
By Ronald Agers
![Jan 4, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and Sacramento Kings center Alex Len (25) battle for the ball in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Jan 4, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and Sacramento Kings center Alex Len (25) battle for the ball in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0d914092cd3568238e90c6058a081676ca26a5467ec8e8e79838ff67dd5c77a7.jpg)
The story from the Los Angeles Lakers’ win:
Malik Monk and LeBron James eventually knocked out the Sacramento Kings!
The Los Angeles Lakers lose this game if these two guys don’t take over in final stretch. When the game was in the balance, Malik Monk continued to move without the ball and knock down huge shots from beyond the arc. Then LeBron James just abused Damian Jones to six fouls and a seat on the bench.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1478603222856077312
These two scored 25 crucial points in the fourth quarter to close the game out. LeBron James continues to play chess while the rest of the NBA plays checkers with a stat line of 31 points (12-26 shooting!), 5 rebounds and 5 assists with only two turnovers.
Sorry Skip Bayless…but this is the definition of closing out a ball game. He preserved his energy throughout the game allowing his teammates to get untracked in the first half. But when it was winning time, boy the Kings got sent back to that state’s capital with freshly minted King James business cards.
Malik Monk is officially a part of the “Big 3” as far as Lake Show Life is concerned. This dude is not afraid and LeBron James trusts him more than Russell Westbrook. He finished with 24 points (8-15 shooting with six 3 point shots!), 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
This dude has bailed the Lakers out just as many times as Carmelo Anthony has this season and it seems that Lake Show Life is one of the few that noticed. Stanley Johnson has not been signed to a deal yet. If they don’t sign him, that money had better go to this guy because he deserves a raise…not now but right now!
Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark
Would you believe that the Lakers have to play this team again this week? The NBA schedule needs work.