Jalen Brunson continued his scoring spree with 42 points, marking his second consecutive game with 40 or more, as the New York Knicks secured a 98-91 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.
Following his 45-point performance in Thursday’s triumph against Portland, Brunson now boasts seven 40-point games this season, solidifying his All-Star status for the first time.
Coach Tom Thibodeau lauded Brunson’s consistency, stating, “You almost come to expect what Jalen did. It’s every night, and it’s big play after big play. Every time you need a big bucket, he comes up with it.”
Brunson’s back-to-back 40-point outings make him the first Knicks player to achieve this feat since Carmelo Anthony in February 2014. He joins the elite company of Bernard King and Patrick Ewing in this remarkable accomplishment.
Reflecting on his performance, Brunson expressed gratitude for the win, remarking, “I don’t have the resume those guys do, so it means a lot. But I’m just happy we found a way to win.”
Donte DiVincenzo contributed 15 points, while Josh Hart posted nine points and an impressive 12 rebounds. Isaiah Hartenstein showcased his defensive prowess with five blocks and 14 rebounds, along with seven points.
Thibodeau commended the team effort, emphasizing the solid defensive performance against a talented offensive Kings squad.
On the Kings’ side, Domantas Sabonis recorded his 49th consecutive double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds, leading the charge. Despite De’Aaron Fox’s 20 points, the Kings struggled offensively, shooting just 5-for-19 from the field.
Sacramento’s 91 points marked their lowest scoring output in a home game this season, falling to 0-8 when scoring fewer than 100 points. The Knicks’ stout defense held their fifth consecutive opponent below the 100-point mark.
Brunson acknowledged the challenge posed by the Kings’ offense, crediting their ability to limit Sacramento’s scoring. The Kings suffered their first defeat when allowing fewer than 100 points, dropping to 6-1 in such games.
With 20 lead changes and 13 ties, the game remained tightly contested throughout. The Knicks held a slim 53-48 lead at halftime before securing the win with a 23-17 fourth-quarter advantage.
