Malik Monk started for the fifth consecutive time for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, which was his sixth start of the year and his seventh start of his NBA career.

The 23-year-old shooting guard scored 24 points in 37 minutes of play and was the second top scorer for the Lakers behind LeBron James with 31 points. Monk not only played big minutes, but was also instrumental in helping his team close out the game.

He was asked by the media about becoming a closer for the Lakers. “I always think that I can do that for any team I’ll be on,” Monk said after the Sacramento game. “I’m ready for the moment whenever it happens. We short a couple people, man, but when they come back I’m gonna still be ready and still produce how I am.”