New York – Karl-Anthony Towns shined once again for the Knicks, securing his 30th double-double of the season in the 103-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden.
Towns finished the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds, including a crucial three-pointer at the start of the last quarter, which marked the beginning of a strong reaction from the Knicks. The team dominated the last period with a score of 31-15, consolidating their third consecutive win, their best streak since the end of December.
Brunson and Bridges Shine on Offense
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks’ attack with 28 points, 11 of them scored in the last 3:48 of the game. Mikal Bridges contributed 18 units, while OG Anunoby added 15 points. Mitchell Robinson, from the bench, grabbed 13 rebounds.
DeRozan Shines Despite Kings’ Defeat
For the Kings, DeMar DeRozan was the top scorer of the game with 34 points, although his performance did not prevent Sacramento’s sixth consecutive loss. Domantas Sabonis achieved a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, in addition to seven assists, and Russell Westbrook contributed 14 units. Substitute Dylan Cardwell added 10 rebounds.
A Match Full of Changes
New York started strong, closing the first quarter with a 36-26 lead. However, the game remained contested in the following two periods.
DeRozan scored seven straight points to give Sacramento their only lead in the second quarter (51-50), before a basket by Towns, with 14 seconds remaining before halftime, put the Knicks back in the lead.
The third quarter was intense, with four lead changes and two ties, the last after a basket by Nique Clifford that tied the score at 72 with 36.8 seconds remaining.
At the start of the last quarter, a turnover caused by Landry Shamet resulted in Towns’ three-pointer, initiating the definitive breakaway. Bridges completed an alley-oop after a pass from Josh Hart, and Towns scored again from long distance to extend the lead to 80-74, securing the victory.
With this triumph, the Knicks remain firm in the fight for the leadership of the Atlantic Division.
