by Ellis showed invaluable skills in Kings’ win over Wizards originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO — Aside from a silver necklace with his initials that he occasionally wears — a gift from teammate Malik Monk — Keon Ellis really isn’t all that noticeable outside of basketball.
On the pitch, however, things look completely different.
In a game the Kings had complete control of, Ellis came off the bench and provided a big spark in the second half as he scored 15 of his 18 points and helped Sacramento hold off the Washington Wizards at the Golden 1 on Sunday 123:100 to defeat Center.
The normally defensive-minded Ellis also scored a ton. He scored nine of his points, all on 3-pointers, in the final 2:22 minutes of the third quarter.
After briefly going to the bench in the fourth, Ellis returned and drained two more 3-pointers to cap his night.
“It feels good when shots are fired, especially on offense,” Ellis said. “When you get to the point where you’re hot and it’s like feeding the hot hand, it always feels good. I just tried to keep it going.”
If De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are the heart and soul of this year’s Sacramento team, then Ellis should rightly be the pulse.
Whether he’s in the starting lineup or coming off the bench in his usual role, Ellis provides an instant burst of energy and passion that is immediately noticeable and equally infectious.
“Keon has things that aren’t taught,” Kings interim coach Doug Christie said. “Defense comes down to instincts, timing and different things. He found his way and found his shot, and the shooting comes and goes, but he continues to refine it, he continues to work on it.
“And I try to give him the confidence to shoot the basketball. “If you’re open, we trust you.” We watch you work so that when someone makes the film, we know you’re one of our best. Let that thing fly.’
“I have a lot of respect for what Keon brings to us and what he means to our team.”
With Malik Monk now a regular in Sacramento’s starting lineup, Ellis has emerged as the Kings’ top reserve and a potential NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
That’s no surprise to Ellis’ teammates, as they’ve seen the 25-year-old develop quite quickly in his first few NBA seasons.
“His confidence has always been outstanding,” Sabonis said. “We see it in every game. And he protects the best player on each team. He stays ready. He’s doing what he has to do and I’m proud of him.”
Ellis also seems proud of himself, but you have to work pretty hard to get it out of him.
When he’s not on the court for the Kings, Ellis tries to maintain a cool and collected attitude.
“I’m just relaxing,” Ellis said. “When I’m on the court, I just play basketball and try to make the right plays. I just go out and do my job. When I’m on the sidelines, I’m just watching (and) what’s happening. When I go in, I know what our plan is and what we want to implement.
“I’m just trying to do this at the highest level to help myself and my teammates. Whatever it is, I’m just trying to help.”
Download and follow the Deuce & Mo Podcast
