The first time this month the New York Knicks gained some momentum, it vanished with a surprising loss to the Sacramento Kings.<\/p>\n
The Knicks will look to avoid repeating history Tuesday night when they host the Kings in the final battle of the season between the nonconference foes.<\/p>\n
The Knicks have been off since Saturday night, when they rode a dominant third quarter to a 112-109 win over the host Philadelphia 76ers. The visiting Sacramento Kings suffered their fifth straight loss Sunday night, falling to the Detroit Pistons 139-116.<\/p>\n
Preview: Sacramento Kings vs. New York Knicks<\/p>\n
The win was the second straight for the Knicks \u2014 their first set of consecutive victories since a three-game streak from Dec. 25-29. In between, New York went 2-9 with a pair of four-game losing streaks.<\/p>\n
The second skid started Jan. 14 when the Knicks, who had won two of their last three games, lost 112-101 to the Kings, who fired current New York head coach Mike Brown on Dec. 27, 2024, after more than two seasons at the helm and the franchise\u2019s only playoff appearance since 2006.<\/p>\n
Brown looked as if he might be in danger of suffering a similar fate when the Knicks \u2014 whose impatient and reclusive owner, James Dolan, said during a rare radio appearance earlier this month that he expected his team to make and then win the NBA Finals \u2014 sustained their fourth straight defeat by trailing wire-to-wire in a 114-97 loss to the floundering Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 19.<\/p>\n
But the Knicks achieved their most lopsided victory in franchise history last Wednesday, crushing the Brooklyn Nets 120-66, before showing some familiar traits Saturday in a game that could impact postseason seeding in the Eastern Conference. New York stayed in fourth place in the East and now sits 3 games ahead of the 76ers, who occupy the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot.<\/p>\n
The Knicks held 76ers star Joel Embiid scoreless in the third quarter, when they outscored Philadelphia 30-13. New York, known for its hustle and grit under former head coach Tom Thibodeau, also held a 26-4 advantage in second-chance points.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re a team that\u2019s struggling to put together wins, you got to do the little things,\u201d Knicks forward Josh Hart said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to have good attention to detail, good focus, good energy and you\u2019ve got to get all those 50-50 balls.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sight of the Knicks across the court Tuesday will serve as a reminder of the best stretch of the year for the struggling Kings, who are in 14th place in the Western Conference, just a half-game ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans.<\/p>\n
The win over the Knicks was the third in a season-long four-game winning streak for the Sacramento Kings, who bookended the streak with lengthy losing streaks. Sacramento dropped seven straight, one loss shy of its season-high, from Dec 28 through Jan. 9.<\/p>\n
The Kings\u2019 current skid began Jan. 18 with a 117-110 loss to the visiting Portland Trail Blazers. The 23-point loss Sunday marked the 11th time this season Sacramento has lost by at least 20.<\/p>\n
Head coach Doug Christie, who replaced Brown last season, lamented the lack of physicality from the Sacramento Kings this season, who are allowing an average of 121.1 points per game, the fourth-highest figure in the NBA.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to not only match the physicality of the opponent, but exceed it, in my opinion,\u201d Christie said. \u201cThat can be uncomfortable. It can be uncomfortable not only for yourself, but it can be uncomfortable for them because when you\u2019re that physical with somebody, it\u2019s going to cause a reaction and you\u2019ve got to be about that life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n
Tuesday, January 27th\u00a0\u2013 @ New York Knicks \u2013 4:30 PM PT
\nThursday, January 29th\u00a0\u2013 @ Philadelphia 76ers \u2013 4:00 PM PT
\nSunday, January 30th\u00a0\u2013 @ Boston Celtics \u2013 4:30 PM PT
\nSunday, February 1st\u00a0\u2013 @ Washington Wizards \u2013 3:00 PM PT
\nWednesday, February 4th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Memphis Grizzlies \u2013 7:00 PM PT<\/p>\n
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