Precious Achiuwa Gets the Last Laugh in Kings’ Statement Win Over Knicks
Precious Achiuwa didn’t just show up for a game on Tuesday night-he showed up with a point to prove. And by the time the final buzzer sounded in Sacramento, he had done just that.
The former Knick turned Kings forward found himself at the center of a 112-101 win over his old squad, and the timing couldn’t have been sweeter. In the hours leading up to tip-off, Achiuwa’s phone was buzzing-his former teammates lighting up the group chat with some classic pregame trash talk. But by the end of the night, it was Achiuwa who had the bragging rights and the beam.
"It's going to be fun. It kinda already started last night," he said before the game, already anticipating some friendly fire from his old crew. “But I’m looking forward to it.”
He backed it up with his best performance of the season.
Achiuwa poured in 20 points across 39 minutes, knocking down two threes and going 7-of-14 from the field. He didn’t just score, though-he controlled the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds to notch a double-double. Both his scoring and rebounding totals marked new season highs, a breakout moment in a campaign where he’d been averaging just 7.1 points and 5.3 boards per game coming in.
And after the win? He took the mic and lit the beam-a now-iconic Kings tradition that’s become synonymous with big-time home victories.
“Let’s get it!” he shouted, beaming with energy. He gave his former Knicks teammates their due, showing respect, but made it clear he was thrilled to be on the winning side this time.
Achiuwa’s big night was part of a larger team effort that saw Sacramento continue its strong run of form. The Kings came into this one fresh off an upset over the Lakers and followed it up by toppling a Houston Rockets squad that’s been hovering around 10 games over .500.
DeMar DeRozan led the way with 27 points, showing once again why he’s the go-to guy in crunch time. Zach LaVine wasn’t far behind with 25, providing a steady offensive punch throughout the night. Achiuwa rounded out the top three in scoring for the Kings, but it was a balanced effort all around.
Russell Westbrook chipped in 19, playing his usual high-energy brand of basketball. Maxime Raynaud added 10 to become the fifth Kings starter in double figures. Off the bench, Malik Monk led the second unit with nine points, while Dylan Cardwell added a late bucket to cap the scoring.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a reunion of sorts. Kings head coach Mike Brown faced off against his former team for the first time since his departure from New York. And while the emotions were certainly there, Brown kept it classy when reflecting on his time with the Knicks.
“I really enjoyed being out in the community and getting to know the people out there. That was a lot of fun as well,” he told CBS Sacramento’s Jake Gadon.
But make no mistake-this night belonged to Achiuwa. From the group chat banter to the postgame mic drop, he delivered a performance that spoke louder than any words could. And if his former teammates were still texting after the game, there’s a good chance they were sending a different kind of message: respect.