Out of rotation, buried on the bench and stuck in his home with his own thoughts during a pandemic, Malik Monk turned to an unlikely source and role to remain focused on the game.
Coaching LaMelo Ball.
More specifically, Monk has focused on mentoring all the young players with Ball being among them. Paired with his consistent workouts on nights he didn’t see the floor, Monk was able to stay both mentally and physically ready so that when the time came, like on Wednesday, he would be ready.
With Gordon Hayward sidelined with a left hip strain, Monk saw his first extended run on the court this season.