Brunson scores 42 to lead Knicks past Kings

The New York Knicks have defeated the Sacramento Kings 98-91 in a thrilling matchup last night at the Golden 1 Center.

Jalen Brunson stole the spotlight once again, showcasing his scoring prowess with an impressive 42-point performance. Brunson’s remarkable feat marked the fourth time in franchise history that a player scored 40 points or more in back-to-back games, following his 45-point outburst against the Trail Blazers.

In a pivotal moment with just 40 seconds remaining on the clock, Brunson orchestrated a dazzling play to reach the 40-point mark. Showing his basketball IQ and deceptive skills, the Knicks All Star pretended to call for a screen, causing defender Keon Ellis to momentarily turn his head to the right. Seizing the opportunity, Brunson swiftly changed direction, exploding to his left and driving straight to the hoop with determination, extending the Knicks’ lead to 96-91. Ellis was left bewildered by Brunson’s quick and decisive maneuver, unable to recover in time to stop the scoring play.

“To drive the ball as many times as he does, the physicality, he’s being trapped, they’re pursing him, they’re hitting him, and he only had four free throws. But that’s what I love about him. He’s tough minded, can figure it out and he knows how the game’s being called. He knows he’s on the road, it’s going to be tough, and that doesn’t slow him down. He doesn’t let the officials impact in any way.”

– Tom Thibodeau

Aside from Brunson’s heroics, Isaiah Hartenstein delivered a monstrous performance, dominating the boards with 14 rebounds and showcasing excellent defense against Domantis Sabots, who was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. Hartenstein’s defensive prowess was on full display when he forced Sabots into a critical double-dribble violation with less than a minute left in the game.

The Knicks faced a tough challenge from the Kings, who mounted a 9-3 run prior to the final minutes. However, the Knicks responded with resilience, seizing control of the game with a decisive 7-0 run that gave them a 91-82 lead with just over four minutes remaining.

Alec Burks provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, while Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 9 points, including 7 in the crucial fourth quarter. Burks’ two-pointer during a pivotal 9-0 run early in the final quarter helped the Knicks regain the lead for good after the Kings had taken a 79-75 lead.

At halftime, the Knicks held a narrow lead of 53-48 over the Kings. They wasted no time in the second half, quickly extending their advantage to 57-48 as play resumed, demonstrating their determination to maintain control of the game.

Throughout the game, there were a remarkable 20 lead changes, showcasing the intensity and competitiveness of the matchup. Despite the back-and-forth nature of the contest, neither team managed to establish a double-digit lead at any point, underscoring the closely contested nature of the game.

In terms of individual performances, Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks with an impressive 15 points, while Josh Hart contributed 7 points along with an outstanding 13 rebounds, showcasing his prowess on the boards. However, OG Anunoby struggled to find his rhythm, managing just 2 points on a 1-8 shooting performance and encountering foul trouble early in the game, picking up two fouls in the first quarter.

For the Kings, Domantas Sabonis led the scoring with 21 points and also made his presence felt on the boards with 14 rebounds. DeAndre Fox contributed 20 points and demonstrated his playmaking ability with 9 assists, while Malik Monk provided a significant scoring boost off the bench with 18 points, adding depth to the Kings’ offensive efforts.

The Knicks continued their impressive defensive streak, holding their opponents to under 100 points for the fifth consecutive game. At the same time, Jalen Brunson joined an elite group of Knicks legends by scoring 40 points or more in consecutive games. This remarkable achievement places him in esteemed company alongside Bernard King, Patrick Ewing, and Carmelo Anthony, highlighting his exceptional scoring ability and solidifying his place in franchise history.

Up-next: The Knicks (40-27) continue their west coast trip and will face the Warriors (35-31) on Monday night from 10:00pm.