The Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks faced off for the second time this month, and while the Kings came out on top in their first meeting, the rematch told a different story. This time, it was the Knicks who walked away with the win-thanks in large part to a fourth-quarter collapse that’s become all too familiar for Sacramento fans.
Undermanned and Under Pressure
Sacramento came into this one shorthanded. Zach LaVine and Malik Monk were both sidelined with injuries, stripping the Kings of two key perimeter threats.
Then, just before tipoff, Keegan Murray was ruled out for injury management. That left the Kings without three major contributors on a night when they were going up against a fully loaded Knicks squad.
New York, by contrast, was at full strength. In their last meeting, Jalen Brunson exited early in the first quarter with an ankle injury, giving Sacramento a window to steal a win. But lightning rarely strikes twice in the NBA, and this time, Brunson was healthy-and ready to make his presence felt.
A Game of Runs-Until the Final One
Despite the personnel challenges, Sacramento hung tough. The Knicks jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter, but the Kings clawed back, trimming the deficit to just one at halftime.
By the end of the third, the game was knotted at 72 apiece. It was anyone’s game heading into the final 12 minutes.
And then, it wasn’t.
Déjà Vu in the Fourth
If there’s a recurring theme for the Kings this season, it’s the second-half unraveling-and this one followed the script to the letter. The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Knicks, who outscored Sacramento 31-15 in the final frame.
The Kings’ offense stalled, their defense fell apart, and Brunson took full advantage. He torched Sacramento down the stretch, once again proving why he’s one of the league’s most reliable closers.
It wasn’t just one area that failed for the Kings-it was everything. Up until that point, they had managed to stay competitive with solid defense and enough offensive rhythm to keep pace.
But once the fourth quarter hit, the wheels came off. The ball movement stopped, the energy dipped, and the Knicks smelled blood.
A Familiar Frustration
For Kings fans, this one hit like a broken record. Sacramento has made a habit of letting games slip away late, and while they’ve managed to string together some impressive wins this season, the inconsistency continues to haunt them. The inability to close games, especially against playoff-caliber teams, is the kind of flaw that can derail a season if it’s not addressed.
The Knicks, on the other hand, showed exactly why they’re a tough out when healthy. With Brunson leading the charge and a full rotation clicking on both ends, they capitalized on every mistake Sacramento made. When the Kings gave them an opening, New York kicked the door down.
For Sacramento, this loss isn’t just about one bad quarter-it’s about a pattern that needs fixing. Because in the Western Conference, where margins are razor-thin, fourth-quarter collapses don’t just cost you games. They cost you ground in the playoff race.