Knicks fall to Kings, lose Jalen Brunson to ankle injury

Field Level Media|published: Thu 15th January, 24:57 2026

NBA: New York Knicks at Sacramento Kings

Jan 14, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots the ball against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points and Zach LaVine added 25 as the Sacramento Kings posted their season-best third straight win by controlling the visiting New York Knicks 112-101 on Wednesday night.

Precious Achiuwa recorded 20 points and a season-best 14 rebounds and Russell Westbrook added 19 points and 11 assists for the Kings. Maxime Raynaud added 10 points for Sacramento.

Mikal Bridges scored 19 points and OG Anunoby added 15 as New York lost for the sixth time in its past eight games. Karl-Anthony Towns had 13 points but was just 6-of-20 shooting and reserve Jordan Clarkson added 11 for the Knicks.

New York star guard Jalen Brunson injured his right ankle four-plus minutes into the contest and didn't return. He had four points before exiting to snap his streak of 18 straight 20-point outings.

The contest marked Knicks coach Mike Brown's first visit to Sacramento since being fired as Kings coach in December 2024.

DeRozan (26,077) moved into 22nd place on the all-time scoring list, passing Kevin Garnett (26,071).

The Kings shot 47.3% from the field, including 10 of 27 from 3-point range. Sacramento's Dennis Schroder missed the final contest of a three-game suspension.

New York made 39% of its shots and was a porous 8 of 41 from 3-point range. Josh Hart and reserve Miles "Deuce" McBride scored 10 points apiece and backup Mitchell Robison collected 11 rebounds.

Sacramento made 12 of 19 field-goal attempts for a strong start and a 32-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The lead reached 20 early in the second half on a basket by Malik Monk before the Kings took a 56-42 lead into the break. DeRozan had 15 first-half points and Towns had 13 in the half for New York. The Knicks were 1 of 19 from 3-point range in the half.

Sacramento scored the first seven points of the third quarter with Achiuwa capping the burst with a 3-pointer for a 21-point lead. A short time later, LaVine later made two free throws to increase the lead to 77-52 with 5:52 left in the third quarter.

The Kings led 96-76 entering the fourth quarter before the Knicks whittled down the margin of defeat. It was just the second time Sacramento beat New York in the past 10 meetings.

--Field Level Media