Knicks flip switch in fourth, tackle Kings

Field Level Media|published: Sun 17th March, 01:00 2024

March 16, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles the basketball against Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. credits: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks provided all the scoring during a score-flipping, fourth-quarter run and the New York Knicks' defense suffocated a fifth straight opponent for a 98-91 win over the host Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.

Jalen Brunson led the way offensively with a game-high 42 points for the Knicks, who won for the fourth time in their past five games, a stretch in which they haven't allowed more than 93 points in any game.

Domantas Sabonis had a 21-point, 14-rebound double-double for the Kings, who led 79-75 after two free throws by De'Aaron Fox with 9:48 remaining.

But the hosts didn't score again until the 6:39 mark, watching as Bogdanovic nailed a 2- and 3-point hoop while Burks dropped in a short jumper and two free throws during a 9-0 burst that gave New York the lead for good.

Sacramento got within 94-91 on a Keon Ellis dunk with 2:31 to go, but the Knicks then tightened the defensive screws, keeping the Kings scoreless the rest of the way. Sacramento missed its last five shots from the floor and mixed in a turnover.

Brunson iced the win with a late layup and two free throws.

Brunson shot 17-for-28 overall and 5-for-10 from deep en route to his seventh 40-point game of the season. He also found time for four rebounds and four steals.

Isaiah Hartenstein snatched a game-high-tying 14 rebounds to go with seven points and four blocks for the Knicks, while Josh Hart grabbed 13 boards to complement nine points. Donte DiVincenzo added 15 points and Burks finished with 12.

OG Anunoby contributed three blocks to New York's total of nine.

Fox backed Sabonis with 20 points, a game-high nine assists and seven rebounds for the Kings, who saw a two-game winning streak disappear.

Malik Monk had 18 points, Harrison Barnes supplied 16 and Keegan Murray had 11 for Sacramento, which was held to its second-lowest point total of the season, just two points higher than the 89 it tallied in a loss at Houston in November.

The Kings shot just 35.3 percent overall and 27 percent from 3-point range.

Neither team was able to take control in the first half, as the biggest lead from either side was five points. New York led 53-48 at the break.

—Field Level Media

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