Hornets guard Malik Monk not dealing with fractured thumb

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Malik Monk #1 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hornets defeated the Thunder 88-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

After a dire diagnosis on his thumb injury from a doctor at Summer League, the news on Hornets guard Malik Monk is far brighter now.

Hornets guard Malik Monk had a nice game last Friday night in Las Vegas Summer League, with 23 points against the Thunder. But he suffered a right thumb injury late in the contest, and an initial diagnosis of a fracture had him slated to miss 6-8 weeks.

Being out of commission for 6-8 weeks right now would not threaten Monk’s availability for the start of the regular season. But some good news came on Tuesday, with Hornets’ team doctors determining the second-year guard does not have a fractured thumb and he will be considered day-to-day.

Monk is unlikely to play any more summer league games, which is not ideal coming off a disappointing rookie season. Over 63 games, all off the bench, the 11th overall pick in 2017 averaged 6.7 points, 1.4 assists and one rebound per game over just 13.6 minutes per contest. His efficiency numbers were poor, as he shot just 36 percent from the floor and 34.2 percent from beyond the arc, and former head coach Steve Clifford pointed out Monk’s lack of defensive prowess at one point.

But Monk finished last season strongly, with the Hornets officially out of playoff contention. He had 20 or more points in three of the final six games, as he averaged 19.8 points (on 46.7 percent shooting; 40 percent from beyond the arc) and 3.8 assists per game over that span. Widening out to a longer sample of the final 13 games, Monk reached double-figures in scoring 10 times over that span.

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New Hornets head coach James Borrego has already pointed to Monk as a “major player” for the team next season. A strong finish last year, and avoiding a major injury during summer league, has boosted Monk’s potential for a breakout sophomore season.

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