The final preseason game is usually about one last tune-up, but for the Sacramento Kings it also became another availability checkpoint. Ahead of the October 16 matchup with the San Antonio Spurs at 5:00 PM PST, the Kings listed three players as out: Malik Monk, Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud.
That matters because the last game before the real schedule starts is often where teams sort out roles, minutes and rotation priorities. Instead, Sacramento entered the preseason finale with three unavailable players, leaving one more reminder that the group is still not at full strength as the regular season approaches.
Monk remains the key question
The biggest name on the list is Monk, who has been managing left ankle soreness during training camp and preseason. According to a league source, he is working with the medical team to prepare for a return to game action, but his opening-night status is still not settled.
That uncertainty is notable because Monk had been in and out of the lineup last year, and the Kings have also had to navigate his name in trade rumors since Scott Perry took over as General Manager. None of that changes the immediate issue: Sacramento still has to wait and see how the ankle responds over the next few days.
For now, the update is straightforward. The Kings closed their preseason with three players unavailable against the Spurs, and Monk’s availability for opening night remains tied to the next stretch of recovery. In a short preseason window, that is enough to keep the conversation open.
