Kings' Keon Ellis Praised After Historical Game vs. Grizzlies
The Sacramento Kings picked up a must-needed 121-111 win against a shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies squad on Monday night, even though they needed an overtime period to pull through. The Grizzlies will put up a fight no matter who they have on the court, and their ten sidelined players would not stop them.
In close games like this one, the Kings desperately need players outside of De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis to step up, which is exactly what happened. NBA Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner Malik Monk came up big on offense, scoring 12 of his 28 points in overtime. Sacramento's surprise X-factor, Keon Ellis, stepped up on defense, securing five blocks and seven rebounds on his way to a phenomenal performance.
Ellis has emerged on the scene as one of the league's best young guard defenders, as the 24-year-old has been able to do it all when given the opportunity he deserves. With Kevin Huerter suffering an unfortunate injury in Monday's win, Ellis will be in line to take the starting spot and make the most of it.
After his impressive performance on Monday, Ellis received praise from some of his teammates and head coach Mike Brown (via @SeanCunningham | X). Fox highlighted his performance and ability to guard some of the best offensive players in the world:
"[Ellis] is getting more comfortable out there playing heavier minutes and guarding some of the best players in the world. I think he did a hell of a job tonight. Obviously, Desmond Bane just came back from injury, but that is a tough guy to slow down regardless of how many games you've played or how many games he's played and I think he did a hell of a job tonight."
While Bane still put up a respectable performance with 24 points, his 7-19 shooting from the field and 2-7 from deep was partly due to the impressive defense played by Ellis.
Monk told reporters how he knew Ellis would be special since his college days:
"I don't be surprised with Keon because I know that's what he does. I was watching him for a little bit when he was at Alabama... I knew he was good at defense, I just didn't know how it was going to translate like this. But yeah, Keon is great. A great professional, too."
Sacramento's star big man Sabonis also emphasized how great Ellis has been on the defensive end:
"[Ellis is] amazing. He's always there, he's always in the right spot. Anytime we need a stop, we basically have to put him on the court."
Mike Brown goes more in-depth on Ellis' performance and how valuable his defense has been:
"[Sabonis] was our defensive player of the game, but it could've easily gone to Keon. Keon was really, really good too. I think he had five deflections, maybe six deflections. You talk about a tough cover in Desmond Bane with his ability to get to the rim and finish, and his ability to shoot the three from range, Keon was really, really good."
Sacramento's defense has thrived with Ellis in the lineup, as his versatility on that end is exactly what the Kings have needed the past two seasons. With Huerter's injury details unknown, Ellis will be in the starting lineup for the time being. The Kings are 6-0 with Ellis starting, as many Kings fans have been calling for Brown to make him the full-time starter regardless.
With 15 games remaining, the Kings need that defensive intensity from Ellis to continue to rise to the next level.
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