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Malik Monk · Long before 70-point second halves and runaways worked in the Indiana Pacers’ favor, Malik Monk was focused in, saving all speed and elusiveness highlights exclusively for himself. Almost wide receiver-like in his off-ball zig-zag cut along the baseline, the Sacramento Kings’ talented combo guard leaves Bennedict Mathurin in the smoke behind, with his all-seeing “point center” already calculating an angle on his lob pass attempt. High enough in the air to contort mid-flight, Monk — hoping to avoid colliding with the rim — finishes the job with thrill, powering home a two-handed alley-oop throwdown. Monk’s jam served as one of the Kings’ many first half highlights, even as they fell to one of the Eastern Conference’s elites on December 22, 2024. Alongside three others in double-figure scoring, Monk would finish the evening with 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and two 3-pointers in 31 minutes. · State of Mint · State of Mint