Kings Look to Snap Skid in MSG Showdown vs. Knicks
The Sacramento Kings are back in the building where their most recent high point took place - Madison Square Garden. Just two weeks ago, they handed the New York Knicks a loss in Sacramento, part of a four-game win streak that hinted at a potential turnaround. But fast forward to now, and the Kings are riding a five-game losing streak and trying to stop the bleeding on a tough six-game road trip.
Their next shot comes Tuesday night in the world’s most famous arena, but they might be walking in shorthanded. Zach LaVine (lower back soreness) and Malik Monk (right ankle soreness) are both listed as questionable, while Keegan Murray remains sidelined with a left ankle sprain.
Let’s break down the three biggest storylines heading into this Kings-Knicks rematch.
1. Rising Stars Snub: Raynaud and Cardwell Left Out
Two of the more intriguing young bigs in the league - Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell - were left off the Rising Stars roster for All-Star Weekend. And while All-Star snubs are nothing new, this one stings a little more for Sacramento fans who’ve watched both rookies overachieve in a tough season.
Raynaud, the 7-foot-1 second-round pick out of Stanford, has stepped into a starting role in 24 of his 39 games, filling in admirably while Domantas Sabonis dealt with a knee injury. He’s averaging 9.5 points and 6.4 rebounds on 53.4% shooting - solid numbers for a rookie center still adjusting to the NBA pace and physicality.
Then there’s Cardwell, the undrafted rookie out of Auburn who signed a two-way deal and has turned heads with his energy and rim protection. In 20 games, he’s posting 7.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and nearly a steal per night - all in limited minutes. His 57.7% shooting and defensive activity have made him a fan favorite and a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating season.
Neither made the cut for Rising Stars, despite their impact. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but also a sign of how deep the rookie class has been this year. Still, if they keep performing like this, they’ll be hard to ignore for long.
2. Draft Position Realities Set In
The Kings’ recent five-game skid has undone the momentum they built during that four-game win streak earlier in January. Now, at 12-35, Sacramento holds the second-worst record in the Western Conference and the fourth-worst overall in the league.
That puts them firmly in the mix for draft lottery positioning. Only 1.5 games separate them from the Washington Wizards and just one game from the Indiana Pacers - the two teams currently holding the league’s worst records. The bottom three teams all share the same odds: a 52.1% chance at a top-four pick and a 14% shot at landing the No. 1 overall selection.
It’s not where the Kings wanted to be at this point in the season, but it’s the reality they’re facing. The question now is whether they lean into development and lottery odds or make a push to climb out of the bottom tier.
3. Brunson’s Back - and Balling
When the Kings beat the Knicks back on Jan. 14, it came with an asterisk: Jalen Brunson exited after just five minutes due to a right ankle sprain. That won’t be the case this time around.
Brunson is back and in full rhythm, fresh off a 31-point performance in the Knicks’ win over the 76ers. He’s averaging 28.0 points and 6.1 assists on the season while shooting a sharp 47.7% from the field and 38.4% from deep. His craftiness, footwork, and ability to control the tempo make him one of the toughest covers in the league - especially for a Kings defense that’s struggled to contain high-level guards.
Containing Brunson will be priority No. 1 for Sacramento. If they can’t slow him down, it could be a long night at the Garden.
Game Info
- When: Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. PT
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
- TV: NBC Sports California
- Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
- Odds: Knicks -13.5
- Over/Under: 230.5
Injury Report
Kings
- Questionable: Zach LaVine (back), Malik Monk (ankle)
- Out: Keegan Murray (ankle), Daeqwon Plowden (G League), Isaiah Stevens (G League)
Knicks
- Questionable: Trey Jemison III (G League), Dillon Jones (G League), Kevin McCullar Jr. (G League)
The Kings are searching for answers and a spark - and there’s no better place to find one than under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Whether it’s a bounce-back win or another step in a growing season, Tuesday’s matchup will say a lot about where Sacramento stands as the season pushes toward the All-Star break.