Kings Falter Late, Fall 103–87 to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden
The Sacramento Kings suffered a 103–87 loss to the New York Knicks after a poor fourth quarter. Here’s why the game slipped away, where and when it happened, and how the Knicks took control.
The Sacramento Kings came painfully close to pulling off a road upset against the New York Knicks, only to see the game unravel in the final quarter. After competing strongly for three periods, the Kings were outscored 31–15 in the fourth, resulting in a 103–87 loss that highlighted many of the issues that have plagued their season.
Why the Kings Lost
The biggest reason for the loss was a complete offensive breakdown in the final quarter. Sacramento entered the fourth still within striking distance, but cold shooting, poor spacing, and a lack of secondary scoring quickly derailed any comeback hopes. The Kings struggled all night from beyond the arc, finishing just 5-of-30 from three-point range. While the five made threes tied a season low, the 16.7% shooting mark was their worst of the season, making it nearly impossible to keep pace once the Knicks turned up the defensive pressure.
Additionally, the Kings had no consistent answer for New York’s interior presence. Missed shots turned into fast-break opportunities, and second-chance points further tilted momentum toward the home team.
Where the Game Was Decided
The matchup took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, one of the league’s most challenging road environments. The Knicks fed off the home crowd’s energy in the fourth quarter, tightening their defense and controlling the glass. What had been a competitive contest through three quarters turned into a one-sided finish once the Knicks seized control in their home arena.
When It Happened
This loss came during a difficult stretch for Sacramento, as part of a season-long road trip with three games remaining. The defeat dropped the Kings to 12–36 on the season, further cementing the challenges they’ve faced throughout the year. Timing also mattered—fatigue and execution issues became more visible late in the game when the Kings needed poise the most.
How the Knicks Took Over
Despite a strong individual performance from DeMar DeRozan, who scored 34 points, Sacramento lacked balance. Domantas Sabonis contributed a solid all-around effort with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Russell Westbrook added 14 points, though on an inefficient 6-of-19 shooting. No other Kings player reached double figures, making the offense easy to contain late.
For New York, Jalen Brunson led the scoring with 28 points, but the most impactful player was Mitchell Robinson. Robinson finished the game with a +25 plus-minus in just 27 minutes, dominating the paint with his defense and rebounding. His presence altered shots, erased second chances, and exposed the Kings’ lack of interior answers on both ends of the floor.
Final Takeaway
01.25-01.29 Final Season Savings (for Southern Hemisphere)The Kings showed flashes of competitiveness but failed to close when it mattered most. Poor three-point shooting, limited depth scoring, and an inability to counter the Knicks’ physical interior play proved costly. As the road trip continues, Sacramento will need to find consistency and late-game execution if they hope to end the season on a more positive note.
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