SACRAMENTO KINGS

Knicks dominate offensively, defeat Kings 143-120

Jan 25, 2025, 7:11 PM

Two games into the Sacramento Kings six-game road trip, two losses for the Doug Christie-led team. They’ve fallen into a poor habit of starting slow, and it was no different in Madison Square Garden Saturday night, ending the first quarter down 13 points.

Their high-paced style and defensive aggression returned, bringing the margin back within striking distance but never fully overcoming their first-half deficit.

Malik Monk recorded 31 points, nine assists, and three rebounds on 12/21 from the field, including 4/8 from three.

Late turnovers played in the Knicks’ favor, with OG Anunoby (33 points on 12/18) and Mikal Bridges (27 points on 10/15) leading the way.

New York’s 16 offensive rebounds and 17/35 from the three proved too much to overcome, leaving Sacramento with a 143-120 loss. It’s the most points Sacramento have given up in 2024-25, falling to 1-10 in games where their opponents scored at least 130.

Kings at Knicks Injury Report

Sacramento

  • Isaac Jones (G-League)
  • Colby Jones (G-League)
  • Isaiah Crawford (G-League)

New York

  • Mitchell Robinson (left ankle)
  • Ariel Hukporti (illness)
  • Pacome Dadiet (right toe)
  • Kevin McCullar Jr. (G-League)

Sacramento’s Starting FiveDe’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

New York’s Starting Five: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Karl Anthony-Towns

Kings at Knicks Game Notes

Despite a back-and-forth early sequence, Sabonis picking up two quick fouls led to him sitting sooner than usual. It seemed like right when he went to the bench with roughly three minutes remaining in the first, New York took advantage and went on a run.

Christie elected to go with a zone defense as Trey Lyles functioned as the backup center, but the Knicks aggressively attacked the paint, no matter what. It also allowed them to get on the offensive glass, with the league’s leading rebounder forced to watch from the sideline for a stretch.

That reality and Sacramento’s poor shooting and unideal pace left them facing a 38-25 disadvantage at the end of the first.

More foul trouble was incoming. DeRozan picked up his third personal halfway through the second but remained in the game. Fox, dealing with multiple finger injuries on each hand, didn’t seem to have it going for him.

A common theme for the Kings these last few games has been poor defense early before going on a run once they finally turn it up on that end of the floor. Sure enough, that showed up in the second, going on a 23-6 run to cut a once 19-point deficit to two (69-67) by the midway point.

Their pace of play returned as Monk was rolling, having 23 points and five assists on 9/15 from the field at halftime. It’s the 10th time in his career that he’s recorded 20+ points by halftime, and the Kings needed it in Madison Square Garden Saturday night.

Sabonis had 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists on 7/9 from the field. Meanwhile, OG Anunoby led New York with 20 points on 7/10 shooting, including 2/3 from three.

Both teams heavily emphasize controlling the possession game via rebounding and turnovers, and the Knicks held an advantage with eight offensive rebounds and five Sacramento turnovers.

With New York dominating the first while Sacramento owned the second, the third quarter featured back-and-forth action. Both sides played with great energy, knocking down triples after paint touches and maintaining proper pace.

Murray shined for stretches, attacking the glass and knocking down long-range attempts. Outscored by six points in the third quarter, the Kings trailed New York 111-100 with 12 minutes remaining.

Less than a minute into the fourth, Bridges pointed out to officials that he thought their hoop was uneven as he stepped up to take a free throw. It led to an extended break, where MSG staffers broke out a ladder, level, and wrench to try and fix the issue.

It was a funny scene, with players from both sides lining up to try and see if Bridge’s claims were warranted. While they were at it, Christie had them also check the other rim. Five to ten minutes of realtime later, we were back in action with a new energy in the building.

The Knicks seized that moment, jumping to a 123-105 lead by scoring in transition and attacking Sacramento’s 2-3 zone.

Bridges clearly felt like the rim was fixed correctly, with him rolling in the final frame. The Kings, who have done a great job taking care of the ball under Christie, started getting careless as time winded down.

It was enough for the Knicks to come away with a 143-120 victory, while Anunoby led the way with 33 points, four assists, and three rebounds on 12/18 from the field. Bridges (27), Brunson (25), and Hart (20) each contributed at least 20 points as well.

Monk tied his season-high with 31 points, nine assists, and three rebounds on 12/21 from the field, including 4/8 from three. Sabonis had his sixth triple-double of the season with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists on 11/14 shooting.

When’s the next Sacramento Kings game?

Game three of Sacramento’s six-game road trip will take place at Barclays Center on Monday, giving the Kings a few days to spend in New York between action.

Brooklyn and newly returned point guard D’Angelo Russell lost to the Miami Heat on Saturday night, the day they retired Vince Carter’s number.

The Nets have lost six straight and 11 of their last 12 games.

Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings

  • Monday, January 27th – @ Brooklyn Nets – 4:30 PM PT
  • Wednesday, January 29th – @ Philadelphia 76ers –4:30 PM PT
  • Saturday, February 1st – @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:00 PM PT
  • Monday, February 3rd – @ Minnesota Timberwolves – 5:00 PM PT

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Knicks dominate offensively, defeat Kings 143-120